When it comes to the lighting of football fields, there are a number of important factors that need to be taken into account. These include illumination uniformity, light color, CRI, glare, and more.
Moreover, the field lights should also be able to meet the requirements of viewers and TV broadcasts. With the rise of 4K and HD broadcasting, it is important for the audience to be able to enjoy the game without glare or flicker.
Benefits of LED Football Field Lights
1. Improved Visibility
A high-quality football field lighting system enhances the overall experience of players and spectators. It improves visibility and reduces glare, which can lead to dropped passes, missed sideline signals, and other issues.
In addition, a football field lighting system that’s designed with UEFA requirements in mind will help the game be played in a safe and comfortable environment for all participants. It’ll also provide more control options so stadium operators can dim or brighten lights, create spotlights based on the game’s status, or use dusk till dawn photocells to save energy costs during non-game times.
The amount of light that’s required to illuminate a football field depends on the size of the playing surface and number of spectators. In general, a football field needs about 5,000,000 lumens to provide enough illumination for a single team.
2. Reduced Glare
The lights on a football field must provide proper illumination to all participants, including athletes and spectators. Different sports require different levels of lighting, but they all have common needs for brightness.
Football is a sport that requires players to react quickly and has a high speed and large playing objects, so it needs high-brightness lights. Baseball/softball fields, on the other hand, have a diamond-shaped playing surface and smaller playing objects.
Spectators, referees and athletes must be able to see all of the action without any distractions, such as glare. In addition, the lights must not affect broadcast quality by creating flicker or stroboscopic effects.
This is why it’s important to choose stadium LED lights that offer high-quality Meanwell drivers, which are able to produce no visible stroboscopic effects. Moreover, they also feature CRI >85 for high-quality color rendering that helps fans see true colors on the field.
3. Lower Maintenance Costs
When you look at the cost of maintaining a high school football field, it’s easy to see why the low maintenance cost associated with LED field lights is a big plus. Compared to traditional HID lighting, LED sports lights can last up to 25x longer which saves you on replacement bulbs and the manpower to change them.
In addition, LED lamps use about two-thirds less electricity than halide lamps for the same illuminance level. This means you can cut back on the amount of electricity you’re spending and turn on only when needed, reducing your monthly energy costs.
Moreover, LED field lights are nearly glare- and halo-free so players can focus on the ball and their teammates without having to worry about a momentary distraction from the light. This can help to avoid injury by ensuring that players stay focused on the field during every play. This can also increase the speed of action on the field.
4. Increased Safety
A properly illuminated football field can increase safety for players by ensuring that they can see the ball and avoid potential injuries. Likewise, brighter lighting can improve safety for fans by allowing security personnel to identify suspicious activities or potential threats within and around the stadium.
The glare- and halo-free LED lights used in stadium lighting provide players with clear visibility, allowing them to focus on the play without blinding their eyes. This reduces the risk of injury and allows them to make quick decisions during high-stress moments on the field.
LED football field lights also offer lower energy costs, which help facilities managers save money on their ongoing operation and maintenance budgets. Plus, AEON LED Luminaires use very little power to produce their bright light effects, so they can last for decades without needing replacement.
