TECHNICAL INFORMATION
SPORTS LIGHTING DESIGN GUIDE AND SPECIFICATIONS

Every sport events require good lighting to ensure the sports are played safely and to provide optimal visibility for participants and spectators. The criteria that are used to specify, create, and measure good lighting conditions for Sport lighting are as follows:

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  • Horizontal Illuminance
  • Vertical Illuminance
  • Illuminance Uniformity
  • Glare
  • Flicker Free
  • Light Pollution
  • Good lighting & quality

The quantity of light is measured in lux and the amount of light required depends on the sports played. The faster the sports and the smallest the playing object, the higher lux required. There are two types of illuminances such as horizontal illuminance.


Horizontal illuminance is a measure of light reaching a horizontal plane, one meter above the playing surface. A 10m x 10m grid across the playing field is used as a basis for collecting these measurements and calculating maximum/minimum/average illumination on the playing field


Average Maintained Horizontal Illuminance (Eh) is the average quantity of lux over the horizontal playing surface that serves to establish the adapted state of the eyes and acts as a visual background against which players and ball stand out, enabling them to be identified quickly and clearly.

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Vertical illuminance is the light in the direction of a camera which is useful in creating a picture for a camera. Calculations and measurements shall be made 1 (one) meter above the pitch surface, in the direction of the camera. There are 2 type of camera vertical illuminance that should be assessed:


Field Camera Vertical - Vertical lighting at field level is the amount of illumination reaching the vertical surface of the players. This illumination helps to show close-up details of players, particularly their faces, at critical moments during the match. These images are captured by (both hand-held and motorized) field camera positions. Variations in vertical illumination will create poor digital video.


Fixed camera vertical - Vertical light above the pitch captured by the upper touch-line and goal-line cameras is referred to as fixed camera vertical illumination. These cameras panning the pitch must capture the entire play during the event. Variation in illumination will create poor digital video. The lighting designer must consider balancing the illumination to reduce these over- /under-illuminated areas during fixed camera operations.

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An adequate level of uniformity is required to create a balance lighting conditions so that the viewers eyes and the television cameras do not have to continue adapting to the different light level. Uniformity is expressed in the ratio of the lowest to the highest illuminance (Emin/Emax) and the ratio of the lowest to the average illuminance (Emin/Eaverage).


In non-televised situations, horizontal brightness uniformity is typically specified between 0.5 and 0.7 (Emin/Eaverage) depending on the type of sport and lighting.


Meanwhile, in the televised situation, high uniformity is necessary to achieve smooth and natural shots. The horizontal brightness is generally 0.8 whereas the vertical brightness for fixed cameras is 0.7 (Emin/Eaverage). The illuminance uniformity for TV/film coverage at a certain grid point thus has to be expressed as a percentage change from the average adjacent grid points. This is called the uniformity gradient.


A common uniformity gradient value for both horizontal and vertical illuminance in the direction of main cameras of ≤20% on a 4m calculation grid might ensure smooth panning between one area to another.

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Sport Lighting system should be designed to minimize glare so that the vision of players and spectators will not be affected. Glare is caused by the difference (contrast) between the direct brightness of the installation (entering a person eye) and the brightness of the pitch. When the ratio of these two brightness is too high, this will cause visual disability or discomfort. One of the most effective ways to control glare is to select appropriate mounting heights and positions of equipment around the pitch. Glare Ratings should not exceed GR < "50" for any position on the pitch.

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The most significant change has been with the use and coverage of events by slow motion and hi-motion cameras with the right flicker free lighting. Broadcasters are looking to create imaginative and exciting flicker free images. To avoid and visible slow motion image flicker, a flicker factor of less than 3 percent is recommended.

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Spill illumination leaving the stadium can be calculated and measured. These values are expressed in horizontal illumination values and maximum vertical illumination.

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A suitable range of color temperature should be ≥ 5700K for outdoor facilities


Color rendering describes the capacity of a light source and excellent color rendering is CRI ≥ 90


Percentage (90%) of light emitted from the luminaire compare to total input power

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STANDARD BS EN 12193-2007

is the sports lighting standard.

STANDARD ES BN 12193-2018

Is the sports lighting standard.