How bright does a tennis court have to be?
For outdoor tennis, DIN EN 12193 states typical guide values:
| Class | Use | Average illuminance |
|---|---|---|
| III | Training, recreation | 200 lx |
| II | Club competition, regional level | 300 lx |
| I | Top-level competition | 500 lx |
Good uniformity across the whole court including the run-off areas is also important, as is a layout that does not dazzle on serves and high balls. That is why the masts stand at the sides and not behind the baselines.
Padel: a small court with its own rules
Padel is growing quickly in Germany. A court measures 20 × 10 metres and is surrounded by glass and mesh walls, with play continuing off the walls. For the lighting that means:
- Luminaires usually on masts along the long sides, outside the typical ball trajectories
- No direct glare when playing high lobs
- Avoiding reflections on the glass walls
- Even light in the corners too, because play happens there
For padel, federations and court manufacturers give recommendations based on the use – recreation, training or tournaments. You can read more on this in our post on padel courts.
Indoor padel has its own values and a minimum luminaire height of 6 m – all the details in the guide Lighting a padel hall.
Controlling light through the booking system
At club facilities the floodlights are often on simply because nobody switches them off. The solution: the light is linked to the booking system and only runs during booked slots. At CHTC tennis the floodlighting is integrated into the booking system in exactly this way and runs according to use. In the tennis hall at Club Raffelberg the LED lighting was integrated into the app control of the booking system.
ConsultationLet's talk about your project.Lighting calculation and quotation from the manufacturer.Consideration for neighbours and nature
Tennis facilities are often located in residential areas or in green surroundings. Modern LED floodlights with precise optics such as the Series 12 floodlight with 20° or 40° optics put the light precisely on the court. At KTHC Rot-Weiss in Cologne that was exactly the task: light quality suitable for sport inside a protected landscape with limited light emissions.
What does floodlighting for tennis and padel cost?
Costs depend on the number of courts, the lighting class, the existing masts and the controls. On existing installations, masts can often be reused after a structural check. You will find more detail on masts, neighbours and funding in the guide 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 tennis court need?
For outdoor tennis, DIN EN 12193 typically states 200 lx for training, 300 lx for club competitions and 500 lx for top-level competition.
How is a padel court lit?
Usually with luminaires on masts along the long sides. Even light right into the corners, no glare on high balls and as few reflections on the glass walls as possible are important.
Can floodlighting be switched via the booking system?
Yes. At CHTC tennis the floodlighting is integrated into the booking system and only runs according to use.
Does tennis court floodlighting disturb neighbours?
Modern LED floodlights with precise optics reduce spill light considerably. Linking to booking times also helps to avoid unnecessary operating hours.
Who designs and builds floodlighting for tennis clubs?
TRiALED designs floodlighting for tennis and padel with a lighting calculation, supplies the LED floodlights of Series 12 including poles and supports the project through to commissioning – for example at CHTC Krefeld and KTHC Rot-Weiss Cologne. Foundations and earthworks are carried out by a contractor.
Which requirements apply to lighting design for tennis courts?
The basis is DIN EN 12193 with typically 200 lx for training, 300 lx for club competition and 500 lx for high-level competition, plus good uniformity and glare control. For tournaments, the ITF and the German Tennis Federation (DTB) publish their own recommendations – we clarify which apply to your facility in the lighting design.
How many light masts does a tennis court need?
In our installations usually one mast per court for training and recreational play and two masts per court for the highest playing levels. The exact number, mast height and layout follow from the lighting calculation.
Is there tennis floodlighting without masts?
Hardly outdoors. For the light to fall evenly and glare-free on the court, the luminaires must sit high enough and to the side of the court – that requires masts. In indoor tennis halls, by contrast, the luminaires hang from the ceiling. Existing masts can often be reused after a structural check.
