Understanding Sports Field Lighting Standards

For any professional stadium, university, or athletic facility, investing in the right sports field lighting can make a world of difference. From providing players with visibility and safety to enhancing the overall spectator experience, good sports lighting is essential. But what should you look for in sports lighting? And why is it important to adhere to industry standards?

In this article, we’ll discuss the most important factors for buying sports lighting and the benefits of high-quality lighting. We’ll also highlight what can go wrong if you have bad sports lighting. Here’s what you need to know:

The Importance of Your Sports Lighting Design

When it comes to sports field lighting, it’s important to remember there are different standards and regulations in place. You’ll need to ensure that your lighting system meets the appropriate requirements based on your type of sports facility and the events you host.

Sports Field Lighting Standards

The two main standards for field lighting are IES (Illuminating Engineering Society) Field Lighting Standards and CIE (Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage) Sports Complex Lighting Standards. By understanding the standards of these reputable organizations, you can make the right decisions when buying and installing a new sports lighting system for your venue.

IES Sports Field Lighting Standards

The IES Field Lighting Standards provide recommendations for outdoor lighting installations such as stadiums, tennis courts, golf courses, and other recreational areas. These guidelines include light levels, uniformity ratios, and glare control measures.

CIE Sports Field Lighting Standards

The CIE Sports Complex Lighting Standard is suitable for sports complexes, including stadiums and arenas. This standard provides more detailed information about the amount of light that should fall on each part of the playing surface to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for athletes.

Considerations for Purchasing Sports Complex Lighting

When purchasing sports lighting systems, there are a few key factors to consider to get maximum performance from your system:

Events Played at Your Venue

First and foremost, you should consider the type of game that’s played at the venue. Different sports have different lighting requirements, so choosing lights specifically designed for your event is essential. For example, a football field will require different lighting than a basketball court.

Your Venue Space

Consider the size of the venue and the number of seats. Larger venues will require more powerful lights to properly illuminate the playing surface. Venues with more seats need more lights to ensure that every seat has a good view of the action.

Lighting Color Temperature

Another important factor to consider is the color temperature of the lights. Different color temperatures affect the visibility and clarity of the field or court, so it’s vital to choose lights that provide the right color temperature based on the sport.

Cost

Finally, you should consider the overall cost of the lights. While it’s important to choose lights that meet your needs, it’s also important to select lights that fit your budget. Many manufacturers offer a variety of lighting packages at various price points, so it’s crucial to choose the package that best meets your needs and budget.

Is your stadium, arena, facility, or park looking to revamp its lighting? NGU Sports Lighting is an industry-leading provider of quality LED lighting solutions. Learn why LEDs are the way to go with your sports lighting in this article.

Benefits of LED Lighting

Risks of Poor Sports Lighting

On the other hand, if you choose low-quality or poorly installed lights, you may end up with dark spots on the field due to insufficient light coverage or too much glare, which affects players’ vision. In this case, teams may not be able to play games safely, a massive liability for any sports organization or venue. Outlined below are the biggest risks of poor lighting designs and systems:

Decreased Visibility

One of the main risks associated with poor sports lighting is decreased visibility. Poorly lit venues can make it difficult for athletes to see the field or court, leading to accidents and injuries. This can be especially dangerous in high-contact sports such as football or hockey, where players rely on quick reactions to avoid collisions.

Safety Concerns

Poor lighting also affects the safety of spectators. Fans may have difficulty seeing the action on the playing surface, which opens the door to falls and accidents. Poor lighting can also make it difficult for emergency personnel to respond to incidents, ultimately delaying medical treatment and increasing the risk of serious injuries.

Benefits of High-Quality Lighting Designs

Fortunately, there are steps venues can take to reduce the risks mentioned above. Let’s run through the leading advantages of high-quality sports lighting designs:

Quality Player Experience

High-quality sports lighting allows for optimal visibility on the playing field. This is especially important for sports that require quick reaction times. Good lighting also helps prevent eye strain and reduces the risk of injury due to poor visibility.

Event Times and Scheduling

Is your venue booked to the max? Another benefit of high-quality sports lighting is the ability to host night games and events. This not only increases revenue for the facility, but also allows a wider range of scheduling options for both athletes and fans.

Brighten Your Sports Complex Lighting With NGU

When choosing a new set of sports field lights, it’s important to consider many factors, including industry requirements, light quality, cost effectiveness, and installation needs, to establish a safe and enjoyable playing environment for athletes and fans. Choosing the right sports lighting system can make all the difference. Your venue is in great hands with a provider like NGU to help you meet all of the important sports field lighting standards.

NGU has been an industry-leading provider of LED sports lighting fixtures since 2012. By partnering with us, your facility will gain access to our full spectrum of high-quality sports lighting designs and systems. Contact us today to brighten up your venue.

Understanding Sports Field Lighting Standards

The Importance of Your Sports Lighting Design

Sports Field Lighting Standards

IES Sports Field Lighting Standards

CIE Sports Field Lighting Standards

Considerations for Purchasing Sports Complex Lighting

Events Played at Your Venue

Your Venue Space

Lighting Color Temperature

Cost

Risks of Poor Sports Lighting

Decreased Visibility

Safety Concerns

Benefits of High-Quality Lighting Designs

Quality Player Experience

Event Times and Scheduling

Brighten Your Sports Complex Lighting With NGU

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