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Lighting levels for exterior sports lighting are considerably lower than daylight levels and usually lower than for the same sport played indoors. This is because there is generally greater subject contrast outdoors, with a dark sky backdrop, giving good adaptation levels. Illuminance levels are dependent upon the difficulty of the visual task.

Guide to sports lighting levels

What you need to know

Guide to sports lighting levels

In general, fast action, a small playing object (cricket ball) and long viewing distance will require high lighting levels. A slower speed, larger playing object (football) and closer viewing distance will require lower lighting levels. Exterior sports lighting is provided to achieve either supervised training, club, national, international or CTV coverage.

Various lighting guides and lighting specifications are available, recommending appropriate illuminance levels for individual sports. Within Europe, a European Standard exists covering minimum sports lighting levels EN 12193:2007. In addition many sports governing bodies also provide separate specific lighting requirements.

Most recommendations of individual sports lighting levels are divided into classes of play:

Class I - Top Level Competition.
Class II - Intermediate Level Competition.
Class III - Lower Level Competition & Supervised Training.

Lighting for CTV broadcasting has specific requirements and recommendations (CIE No.83:1989).

The table below provides a selection of recommended lighting levels for principle sports in accordance with EN 12193:2007.

Recommendations of Minimum Lighting Levels (Table 1)
Sport		Illuminance Level (Em. Horizontal) Lux * (Non CTV)						Glare Rating (GR)
		Class I		Class II		Class III		Glare Rating (GR)
		Em Lux	Uo Min/ave	Em Lux	Uo Min/ave	Em Lux	Uo Min/ave	I	II	III
Athletics		500	0.7	200	0.5	50 to 100	0.5	50	55	55
Baseball	In Fld Out Fld	750 500	0.7 0.5	500 300	0.7 0.5	300 200	0.5 0.3	50 50	50 50	55 55
Basketball		500	0.7	200	0.6	75	0.5	50	50	55
Bowls (Flat Green)		300	0.7	200	0.7	100	0.5	50	50	50
Cricket Grounds	Sq Field	750 500	0.7 0.5	500 300	0.7 0.5	300 200	0.5 0.3	50 50	50 50	55 55
Equestrian		500	0.7	200	0.7	100	0.5	50	50	55
Football (soccer)		500	0.7	200	0.6	75	0.5	50	50	55
Hockey		500	0.7	200	0.7	200	0.7	50	50	55
Horse racing		200	0.6	100	0.4	50	0.2	50	50	55
Netball		500	0.7	200	0.6	75	0.5	50	50	55
Rugby		500	0.7	200	0.6	75	0.5	50	50	55
Tennis		500	0.7	300	0.7	200	0.6	50	50	55
Volleyball		500	0.7	200	0.6	75	0.5	50	50	55

* Em is the Maintained Illuminance Level (specification level) and is the design illuminance level, below which the lighting should not be allowed to fall during the period to planned maintenance.

Whilst every endeavour is undertaken to provide accurate information, Abacus Lighting recommends that the relevant sport guides and standards or the appropriate individual sport governing body be consulted to ensure full compliance with requirements.

Caution: Lighting specifications for locations outside UK may differ from those stated on this web site.

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