Indoor Sports Court Lighting

Indoor sports courts demand lighting systems that balance visibility, energy efficiency, and athlete safety. Whether hosting basketball, volleyball, badminton, or multi-purpose arenas, proper illumination enhances gameplay, reduces injury risks, and ensures broadcast-ready quality. This article explores the principles, technologies, and best practices for designing optimal indoor sports court lighting.

1. Core Lighting Requirements

A. Illuminance & Uniformity

Competitive Play: 300–750 lux (horizontal) depending on sport (e.g., 500 lux for volleyball, 750 lux for professional basketball).

Training/Recreational: 200–300 lux.

Uniformity Ratio: ≤1.5 (max/min) to eliminate shadows and ensure consistent ball tracking.

B. Glare Control

Unified Glare Rating (UGR): <22 for player comfort (critical in low-ceiling facilities like squash courts).

Optics: Asymmetric reflectors and diffusers to minimize direct glare.

C. Color Quality

CRI ≥90: Accurate color rendering for player jerseys and equipment.

Color Temperature: 4000–5700K (neutral to cool white) for alertness and visibility.

2. LED Technology: The Gold Standard

A. Why LEDs?

Energy Efficiency: 50–70% savings vs. metal halide.

Flicker-Free Operation: Critical for high-speed sports and slow-motion broadcasts (SVM <1.0).

Longevity: 50.000–100.000 hours, reducing maintenance costs.

B. Smart Controls

Dimmable Systems: Adjust brightness for events, training, or cleaning.

Zonal Lighting: Illuminate specific areas (e.g., court center) while dimming peripheral zones.

3. Design Best Practices

A. Ceiling-Mounted Fixtures

Height: 6–12 meters (20–40 feet) above the court for even light distribution.

Beam Angles: 60°–120° to cover the entire playing area without spill.

Spacing: 5–8 meters between fixtures, depending on lumen output.

B. Lighting Layouts by Sport

Basketball: Symmetrical grid layout with 500–750 lux.

Badminton: Higher vertical illuminance (≥300 lux) to track shuttlecocks.

Multi-Purpose Courts: Tunable LEDs with pre-set profiles for different sports.

C. Emergency & Backup Lighting

Safety Compliance: Ensure 50–100 lux for emergency evacuation paths (EN 1838 standard).