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Even though you can’t see much without good lighting, many people don’t realize how crucial it is to choose the right lighting system for a sports field.
Effective lights do more than illuminate the field. They also enable higher-quality broadcasts, provide optimal visibility during play, and help stadium attendees feel more comfortable.
There are also various lighting requirements for different competitive and professional sporting events to consider. Here, we break down the most important factors to consider when choosing the best lighting for your sports field.
Determining the best way to light your field involves several factors. Part of that involves considering player and spectator visibility and conditions for optimal video streaming and broadcasting.
Horizontal illuminance represents the lighting on the ground level. It creates a stable visual background against which one can discern players and objects. Vertical illuminance helps spectators identify players from all angles. Vertical illuminance of around five feet matches well with players’ faces.
For non-broadcast events, an average horizontal illuminance of between 50-100 lux and 750 lux is recommended. Ideally, aim for a good vertical-to-horizontal illuminance ratio for a well-balanced video broadcast.
This ensures both players and spectators can see every person and object on the playing field with equal clarity. For example, uneven lighting can make player details, the ball, or field markings hard to see from certain positions.
High uniformity is necessary for smooth, natural-looking scenes in video broadcasts or streaming, especially with HDTV availability.
When considering glare, evaluate it from the player’s perspective, the spectator’s perspective, and, when applicable, the camera’s perspective. Too much glare can make a field challenging to play or watch.
LED lighting has proven excellent at providing even lighting across an entire field while minimizing glare, protecting the eyes of players and attendees and the lenses of cameras.
When all the lighting comes from one direction, it can distract players and spectators alike and cast shadows on the field. By spacing lights evenly, you can illuminate from multiple directions, reduce shadows, and improve overall visibility.
Accurate color rendering creates a more pleasing viewing experience, but it’s also important for video broadcasting. While some color distortion may be okay for some events, video broadcasting requires highly accurate color rendition.
As more venues switch to LED lighting, people find that LED lights provide better color rendition, making video streaming pop and improving the overall experience.
Traditional lights can flicker. LED lights do not.
For those reasons alone, an LED lighting system is the way to go. Flicker can distract players and viewers, and even a small amount can ruin a video broadcast.
Some sports, such as swimming, gymnastics, horse riding, skating, and bicycle racing, require consistent lighting for safety.
Even a brief, second-long lighting outage can lead to injuries. While rare, these sorts of things can happen with traditional lights. However, because LED lights are more durable, long-lasting, and less vulnerable to environmental conditions, they reduce the chance of a lighting mishap.
Having a secondary power source adds to that assurance.
And beyond the risk of injury, if you’re broadcasting sporting events from your field, inconsistent lighting can disrupt your video feed.
As vital as lighting is for player safety, it matters just as much for spectators. The last thing you want is an accident in the stadium or seating areas because insufficient lighting caused someone to trip and fall.
Beyond practical safety concerns, a well-lit venue makes spectators feel more welcome and secure. This encourages them to return for future events.
Remember that some broadcasters may also require specific lighting in the viewing area to capture fan response and attendance.
Stray light from outdoor sports lighting can disturb other people living, working, or traveling through the area. Ideally, you want to keep excess light from spilling beyond your venue and distracting drivers or keeping neighbors awake.
Remember, some communities may have specific codes that enforce this.
For durability, safety, illumination, and the specifications required for broadcasting, AEON LED luminaires offer the best solutions for any sport or entertainment event you host at your field or venue.
AEON LED luminaires offer many advantages over traditional lighting, saving you time and money while creating an optimal environment for your field.
Contact us for more details on how we can best support your lighting needs.
Get help choosing the right AEON LED solution for your field, facility, venue, or outdoor space.