How many lux does a football pitch need?
| Class | Typical use | Illuminance | Uniformity |
|---|---|---|---|
| III | Training, local leagues, youth, recreation | 75 lx | 0.5 |
| II | Regional amateur leagues, performance training | 200 lx | 0.6 |
| I | Upper amateur leagues, not televised | 500 lx | 0.7 |
The league mapping is a common guideline. Binding are the requirements of your regional football association and, where applicable, your municipality as owner of the pitch. For the Regionalliga and above, and for televised matches, separate requirements for vertical illuminance apply.
Uniformity: light right up to the corner flag
A bright centre circle is of little use if the corners are dark. Uniformity states how far the weakest point may fall below the average. At 0.7 it may be no more than 30 % below the average. Old installations with aged lamps often miss this value – even when the average is still right.
Masts and layout
On club pitches the masts usually stand along the long sides – four, six or eight depending on pitch size. The floodlights are aimed so that goalkeepers and players are not dazzled by high balls. A standard pitch measures 105 × 68 m; training pitches and small-sided pitches often manage with fewer masts.
In a retrofit the existing masts usually stay. The structural load needs checking, though: LED floodlights are often lighter than the old metal halide floodlights but have a different wind load area. We check this before quoting.
Light on the pitch, not next door
Modern LED floodlights focus the light precisely on the pitch. That reduces light spill into homes and streets and glare for residents. This was a key point in Sondershausen: Series 12 with targeted optics, controlled by remote – and 68 % less lighting energy. More in the Sondershausen case study.
ConsultationLet's talk about your project.Lighting calculation and quotation from the manufacturer.What does LED floodlighting save?
An old installation with 16 floodlights of 2,000 W each runs 600 hours a year: 19,200 kWh.
An LED installation with the same illuminance often needs around 60 % less: about 7,700 kWh.
At €0.30 per kWh that is around €3,450 less in electricity costs a year – before dimming for training.
All figures are assumptions. How much your pitch saves depends on the installation, operating hours and electricity price. A first estimate is provided by the LED savings calculator.
LED savings calculatorWhat can your lighting save?Energy costs, CO₂ and payback in just a few minutes.Frequently asked questions
How many lux does a football pitch need?
To DIN EN 12193: 75 lx for training and simple matches (class III), 200 lx for mid-level matches such as regional amateur leagues (class II) and 500 lx for high-level play such as the upper amateur leagues (class I).
How many lux does a football pitch need for training?
75 lx at a uniformity of 0.5 (lighting class III). For performance training, class II with 200 lx is often planned.
How many floodlight masts does a football pitch need?
Club pitches usually have four, six or eight masts – depending on pitch size, lighting class and mast height. The exact number comes from the lighting calculation.
Can I keep the existing floodlight masts?
Usually yes. Before the retrofit we check the structural load, because LED floodlights have a different weight and wind load area from the old ones.
How much does LED floodlighting save on a football pitch?
At the Sondershausen sports centre, energy demand fell by 68 %. Significant savings are typical, because LED floodlights are more efficient and can be dimmed for training.
