Floodlighting in the Regionalliga: requirements by division
The five divisions regulate floodlighting differently. Nordost, Südwest and Bayern require 400 lux on average, Nord at least 200 lm/m², West a floodlight system without a lux value in its admission guidelines. For the planned reform from 2028/29, the DFB proposes at least 200 lux and, in the longer term, 400 lux.
From Leon Weber, Key Account Manager Sport · As of:
Overview by division
Each Regionalliga regulates floodlighting in its own regulations. The values are given here as the respective regulations state them, including their unit.
| League / level | Lighting class / requirement | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Regionalliga Nord | NFV (Northern Germany) | playable system with at least 200 lm/m², alternative venue with floodlighting mandatory |
| Regionalliga Nordost | NOFV | at least 400 lux (average) at the main venue |
| Regionalliga West | WDFV | floodlight system required, no lux value given |
| Regionalliga Südwest | RLSW | at least 400 lux E-hor (average) |
| Regionalliga Bayern | Bayerischer Fußball-Verband | at least 400 lux on average, measurement report from an officially recognised testing body |
| Planned reform from 2028/29 | DFB (proposal) | at least 200 lux, in the longer term 400 lux |
lx = average horizontal illuminance (except Ecam), U = uniformity (Emin/Em), GR = Blendungsbewertung. Your association's regulations take precedence.
What do the values mean?
Lux tells you how much light reaches the pitch. Uniformity shows how evenly it is distributed, and the glare rating how strongly the floodlights cause glare.
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Illuminance (lx): How much light falls on a surface. 1 lx equals 1 lumen per square metre. For sports facilities, the average horizontal illuminance on the playing area is usually given.
Uniformity (U): Lowest divided by average illuminance. The closer the value is to 1, the more even the light.
Glare rating (GR): Assesses how strongly floodlights cause glare at outdoor facilities, on a scale from 10 (no glare) to 90 (unbearable glare).
Floodlighting Regionalliga Nord
The registered venues must have a playable floodlight system with at least 200 lm/m². The earlier Regionalliga statute specified 200 lux at the same point; the unit is physically the same.
Transitional arrangements are generally possible for one year, and in cases requiring special justification for longer. Since 1 July 2026, an alternative venue suitable for the Regionalliga with a corresponding floodlight system must be registered in every case.
Floodlighting Regionalliga Nordost
At the registered main venue, the NOFV requires a floodlight system with at least 400 lux as an average. Clubs promoted from the NOFV Oberliga can receive a transition period of at most two seasons for this. The further standards are in the NOFV requirements catalogue.
Floodlighting Regionalliga West
The WDFV guidelines state: a floodlight system is required for league play in the Regionalliga West. They give no lux value, and neither do the 2026/27 implementing regulations. It is therefore best to clarify the requirement for your case with the WDFV before planning.
Floodlighting Regionalliga Südwest
The admission regulations and implementing regulations consistently give 400 lux E-hor, that is, measured horizontally, as an average.
A backup power supply should be available, and for live TV broadcasts it must be guaranteed. The system must be inspected and cleaned by a specialist company twice a year, before the first half of the season and before the second half.
Floodlighting Regionalliga Bayern
The Regionalligaordnung requires proof of a floodlight system with at least 400 lux on average through the measurement report of an officially recognised testing body. The test must be repeated every five years for LED systems and every three years for halogen systems.
A club qualifying for the league for the first time can receive admission for at most one season even without this proof. A short extension is only possible in exceptional, specially justified cases, for example if construction is not yet finished. According to the association, at the beginning of 2024 Bayern was the only one of the five divisions without a floodlighting requirement.
Reform: four Regionalligen from 2028/29
With the Kompassmodell, the DFB proposes four instead of five Regionalligen from 2028/29. Floodlighting is mandatory in it, with at least 200 lux and 400 lux as a longer-term target. A transition period of two years applies for floodlighting and stadium capacity, so the requirements would be binding from 2030/31.
The extraordinary DFB-Bundestag is due to decide on 18 December 2026. Until then, the regulations of the divisions apply. As with any new system, the Landessportbund NRW says: a later upgrade can be difficult and expensive if the masts were not designed for it from the start.
For full-size pitches with few masts, the STL1443 is usually the right choice.
Frequently asked questions
How many lux does the Regionalliga need?
That depends on the division. Nordost, Südwest and Bayern require 400 lux on average, Nord at least 200 lm/m². West requires a floodlight system and gives no lux value in its admission guidelines.
Are there transition periods for promoted clubs?
Yes, depending on the division: Nord generally one year, Nordost at most two seasons for clubs promoted from the Oberliga, Bayern at most one season for clubs qualifying for the first time.
What does the reform change for floodlighting?
The DFB proposal provides for at least 200 lux and, in the longer term, 400 lux, binding from 2030/31. The DFB-Bundestag decides on this on 18 December 2026.
How is floodlighting proved in the Regionalliga?
In Bayern with the measurement report of an officially recognised testing body, repeated every five years for LED. The other divisions regulate this in their admission documents.
Sources
- NFV (Northern Germany), Spielordnung, Annex 1 no. 2.4.2, resolution of 19 March 2026, in force 1 July 2026
- NOFV, Durchführungsbestimmungen Regionalliga Nordost, as of 10 November 2025 and 26 June 2026, § 4 no. 4 a)
- WDFV, Richtlinien für das allgemeine Zulassungsverfahren Regionalliga West, part 2 no. 3
- Regionalliga Südwest, Zulassungsordnung, as of 1 February 2026, § 7
- Bayerischer Fußball-Verband, Regionalligaordnung, as of 1 July 2026, § 5
- DFB: FAQ on the Kompassmodell (30 October 2026)
- NFV (Northern Germany), Regionalliga-Statut 2024, no. 2.4.2
- Regionalliga Südwest, Durchführungsbestimmungen zur Spielordnung, as of 1 August 2026, § 6
- Bayerischer Fußball-Verband: Regionalliga-Zulassung (22 January 2024)
- Landessportbund NRW: Beleuchtung von Sportstätten, p. 11
Enquire about floodlighting for the Regionalliga
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