Sports lighting must deliver high, uniform horizontal and vertical illuminance with controlled glare, scaled to the level of play and any broadcast requirements.
| Level of play | Horizontal target |
|---|---|
| Recreational | 200 to 300 lux |
| Club / amateur | 300 to 500 lux |
| Competition | 500 to 750 lux |
| Professional / broadcast | 1,000 to 2,000 lux+ |
Uniformity, glare, and broadcast
Vertical illuminance matters as much as horizontal for players and cameras. Tight uniformity ratios and careful aiming with visors cut glare and spill light beyond the field.
Broadcast raises the bar: high-speed cameras need flicker-free drivers and strong vertical light, and the governing body for each sport sets the exact class.
Broadcast needs vertical lux. For televised events, design to vertical illuminance and flicker-free output for slow-motion replay, not just the floor (horizontal) level.
See the Sports Lighting Calculator and the Recommended Lux Levels.