How many lux does a field hockey pitch need?
| Class | Typical use | DIN EN 12193 | Uniformity |
|---|---|---|---|
| III | Training, recreation | 200 lx | 0.7 |
| II | Club competition, performance training | 200 lx | 0.7 |
| I | Top-level competition | 500 lx | 0.7 |
The international hockey federation FIH sets higher values in its guide for non-televised facilities: more than 350 lx for training and club competition, more than 500 lx for national and international matches. Many clubs therefore plan straight away with these values. Bundesliga and televised matches have their own requirements from the federation and broadcaster.
Indoor hockey
| Class | Typical use | Illuminance | Uniformity |
|---|---|---|---|
| III | Training, school sport | 300 lx | 0.7 |
| II | Club competition | 500 lx | 0.7 |
| I | Top-level competition | 750 lx | 0.7 |
Indoors, hockey has the same values as badminton and table tennis – higher than handball or basketball, because the ball is smaller. The luminaires must be ball-impact resistant to DIN 18032-3. At KTHC Rot-Weiss in Cologne , electricity consumption in the hockey and tennis hall fell by 42 % after the retrofit.
Hockey floodlighting from our projects
- CHTC Krefeld: Hockey lighting for Bundesliga matches. Targeted light control raised illuminance from 220 to around 750 lx – with the same energy use and with consideration for neighbours and landscape protection. View case study
- KTHC Rot-Weiss Cologne: Indoor and outdoor lighting for tennis and hockey in a landscape protection area, 42 % less electricity. View case study
- Kahlenberger HTC, Mülheim an der Ruhr: Hockey pitch with LED floodlighting from TRiALED.
Artificial turf and watered pitches
Hockey today is played almost exclusively on artificial turf, often on watered pitches. The surface reflects differently from natural grass – this is factored into the lighting calculation. The floodlights themselves must withstand spray water, rain and temperature changes permanently; our LED floodlight Series 12 is rated IP66.
Light for the pitch, not the surroundings
Many hockey facilities are on the edge of town, often close to residential areas or green spaces. Modern LED optics direct the light precisely onto the pitch and limit spill light and glare for neighbours. At CHTC and KTHC this was a central requirement. More in our guide to sports pitch lighting.
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 hockey pitch need?
To DIN EN 12193: 200 lx for training and club competition (classes III and II) and 500 lx for high-level play (class I), each with a uniformity of 0.7. The international federation FIH recommends more than 350 lx for club competition and more than 500 lx for high-level play.
How many lux does indoor hockey need?
300 lx for training (class III), 500 lx for club competition (class II) and 750 lx for high-level play (class I), each with a uniformity of 0.7.
Why does hockey need more even light than football?
The ball is small and fast. Dark zones make it hard to judge speed and direction. That is why the standard requires 0.7 for hockey even in training.
Which hockey clubs has TRiALED lit?
Among others, CHTC in Krefeld (Bundesliga, around 750 lx), KTHC Rot-Weiss in Cologne and Kahlenberger HTC in Mülheim an der Ruhr.
