Back to BlogStadium Lighting
Glare control: Use fixtures with anti-glare visors. Players looking up for serves must not be blinded.
Beam angle: 15-25° narrow beam for far-pole cross-lighting. Avoid wide beams that spill onto neighbors.
Pole height: 20-30ft is typical. Higher poles = better uniformity but require higher wattage.
Mounting: Side-of-court poles, never behind baselines (causes blinding glare for servers).
Tennis Court LED Lighting: Requirements, Costs & Best Fixtures
Complete guide to tennis court LED lighting. Light level requirements, fixture quantities, pole placement, and cost estimates for 1-8 courts.
February 28, 2026Auvolar Engineering Team8 min read
Tennis Court LED Lighting Guide
Tennis demands high-quality lighting with excellent uniformity and minimal glare — the ball is small, fast, and needs to be visible from all angles.
Light Level Requirements (USTA/IES)
| Level | Foot-Candles | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Recreational | 30-50 fc | Community/private courts |
| Club/Competitive | 50-75 fc | Tennis clubs, high school |
| Tournament | 75-100 fc | USTA tournaments |
| TV Broadcast | 125-150 fc | Professional events |
Fixture Layout by Number of Courts
Single Court:- 4 poles at corners or 2 poles at mid-sides
- 2-4 fixtures per pole
- Total: 4-8 fixtures × 400-600W = $3,200-$6,000
- 6 poles: 4 corners + 2 center
- 2-3 fixtures per pole
- Total: 12-18 fixtures × 400-600W = $8,000-$14,000
- 8-10 poles
- 2-4 fixtures per pole
- Total: 16-32 fixtures × 400-600W = $12,000-$24,000
Recommended Fixtures
- [ISF Series 400W](/p/isf-series-led-stadium-light) — 15° or 25° beam, precision optics
- [ISF Series 600W](/p/isf-series-led-stadium-light) — For higher light levels or wider courts
- [INS Series 400W](/p/ins-series-led-sports-flood-light) — IP67, best for coastal/humid locations
Key Design Considerations
Cost Comparison: LED vs Metal Halide
| Factor | Metal Halide | LED (ISF Series) |
|---|---|---|
| Warm-up | 15-20 minutes | Instant |
| Re-strike after power blip | 5-10 minutes | Immediate |
| Energy cost (4 courts/year) | $4,800 | $1,920 |
| Re-lamping cost/year | $800-$1,200 | $0 |
| Light spill to neighbors | Significant | Minimal (precision optics) |
Free Tennis Court Lighting Design
[Request free photometric layout →](mailto:sales@auvolar.com?subject=Tennis%20Court%20Lighting%20Design) — We'll design your court lighting for free.tennis court lightingtennis court LED lightstennis court lighting requirementshow much to light tennis court
Need Help With Your Lighting Project?
Auvolar provides free lighting design, photometric layouts, and rebate assistance for commercial projects.