As sports facilities evolve to meet the demands of modern environmental, broadcast and lighting standards, the technologies used to illuminate these spaces are undergoing significant change.
For many years, lighting has played a critical role in enabling safe, high-quality play, but recent advances in LED technology are reshaping how sports venues approach performance and efficiency.
A new whitepaper from Thorn Lighting, ‘LED Technology in Sports Floodlighting’, offers an in-depth exploration of the factors to consider in the planning and implementation of sports lighting projects of all kinds – from recreational to professional level, indoor or outdoor.
Drawing on technical expertise and practical experience, the paper provides valuable guidance for anyone involved in designing, specifying or installing sports lighting systems. Furthermore, it aims to build a more in-depth understanding of the variance between lighting calculations and the actual, measured results, and what steps can be taken to mitigate potential risks to ensure the desired outcome is achieved.
Laying the foundations
The whitepaper opens by addressing a core challenge: while many sports venues know they need lighting upgrades – driven by factors including cost, sustainability or outdated lighting schemes – there’s often a gap between recognising the need and knowing where to start. The suggested planning process begins with one central question: What are the lighting requirements of the sport(s) undertaken on the site?
To answer this, the guide encourages readers to identify:
- Which sports are being played
- The standard or level of competition
- Whether the sport is broadcast
The answers to these questions form the basis for selecting the appropriate lighting class, which helps to define the required levels of illuminance, glare control, and uniformity, and provides a framework for ensuring comfort and safety for participants and spectators.
Diving into lighting criteria
The whitepaper serves as a guide to understanding the technical considerations that underpin effective sports lighting design. These include the following topics:
- Illuminance and uniformity – ensuring consistent lighting across the entire playing surface
- Glare control – minimising visual discomfort for athletes and spectators
- Obtrusive light – protecting surrounding environments from unnecessary spill light or skyglow
- Colour rendering and colour temperature – supporting visibility and enhancing the playing or spectating experience
- Flicker – especially relevant for slow-motion video capture and televised sports
These concepts are explained in straightforward terms, supported by diagrams and references to applicable standards. Rather than assuming advanced technical expertise, the whitepaper focuses on helping project leaders ask the right questions and make informed decisions during the planning and design process.
From design to implementation
The transition from lighting concept to real-world installation is not always seamless, and the whitepaper offers a practical look at the considerations for installation, commissioning and maintenance needed to support an effective sports lighting scheme. It covers key considerations such as:
- Environmental factors, including ambient temperature, moisture and humidity
- Luminaire positioning
- Luminaire materials and construction
- Controls and dimming
The guide highlights common pitfalls, advocating for early coordination with stakeholders and careful consideration of site-specific factors such as temperature, humidity and dirt or contaminants, or team colours and branding. By outlining these potential obstacles early, the guide helps readers anticipate issues and build more resilient project timelines.
Explore the full whitepaper
For anyone involved in implementing or upgrading sports lighting – whether for a grassroots club or a large stadium – the ‘LED Technology in Sports Floodlighting’ whitepaper from Thorn Lighting offers a realistic, structured overview for planning.
Throughout the document, the key theme of different, intersecting stakeholder needs is present. It emphasises the importance of a multifaceted approach with a clear understanding of the needs of participants, spectators, venues, sporting federations and broadcasters for an optimal lighting installation for any sporting facility.
Download the full whitepaper here.