Lighting requirements for padel courts by playing level
For television broadcasts, the FIP requires at least 1,000 lx vertical, and the underside of the floodlights must be at least 6 m high. As a guide, 200 lx applies to leisure and training outdoors, at least 300 lx in competition and 500 lx for national competitions.
From Leon Weber, Key Account Manager Sport · As of:
Overview by playing level
The values for leisure and competition are guide values, not a requirement of a German standard. The TV value comes from the FIP. Before planning, check whether your state association or the tournament organiser has its own requirements.
| League / level | Lighting class / requirement | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Leisure and training | Guide | 200 lx, U 0.5 outdoors; 300 lx, U 0.5 indoors |
| Competition, minimum value in operation | Guide | at least 300 lx in use, outdoor and covered; U at least 0.5, 0.7 recommended |
| National competitions | Guide | 500 lx, U 0.7 outdoors; 750 lx, U 0.7 indoors |
| TV broadcast and filming | FIP | at least 1,000 lx vertical, more depending on camera distance |
| Mast height, all levels | FIP | Lower edge of the floodlights at least 6 m above the ground |
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).
Light for leisure and training
As a guide, 200 lx at a uniformity of 0.5 applies to leisure and training outdoors.
Anyone who later also wants to host tournaments is better off designing the facility higher from the start and dimming it for everyday use. That way only the light that is needed is on during training.
For courts on low masts there is the Series 16 with wide optics and a dimmable control gear.
Light for competitions
For competition, at least 300 lx is the guide, and this should be maintained in operation. At commissioning, 350 to 400 lx is therefore recommended. Uniformity should be at least 0.5, with 0.7 recommended. This applies to outdoor and covered courts.
For national competitions, 500 lx at a uniformity of 0.7 is the guide. At large FIP tournaments, the supervisor may interrupt the match if in their view the light is not sufficient.
Light for television broadcasts
For television and filming the FIP requires at least 1,000 lx vertical. This value can rise with the distance between camera and players. The same requirement appears in the rulebooks of the Cupra FIP Tour and Premier Padel.
Television lighting cannot simply be retrofitted, because what counts is the light towards the cameras. Clarify camera positions before planning.
Mast height and mast location
The FIP requires at least 6 m from the ground to the lower edge of the floodlights. For new facilities it suggests 8 m if the floodlights sit within the vertical projection of the court walls. Outside this projection, other heights are possible.
The masts stand outside the court. If they stand in the safety zone, play outside the court is not permitted.
Padel indoors
Indoors, higher values are the guide: 300 lx at a uniformity of 0.5 for leisure and training, 750 lx at 0.7 for national competitions.
Frequently asked questions
How many lux does a padel court need?
Outdoors, the guide is 200 lx for leisure and training, at least 300 lx in competition and 500 lx for national competitions. For television, the FIP requires at least 1,000 lx vertical.
How high must the floodlights hang on a padel court?
According to the FIP, at least 6 m from the ground to the lower edge of the floodlights. For new facilities the FIP suggests 8 m if the floodlights sit within the vertical projection of the court walls.
Are 500 lx enough for a television broadcast?
They cannot be compared directly. The 500 lx is a horizontal value on the court. For television the FIP requires at least 1,000 lx vertical, that is, towards the cameras.
Can a facility be planned for training and tournaments?
Yes. The facility is designed for the higher requirement and dimmed in training. The Series 16 has a dimmable control gear for this.
Sources
- SPW Wallonie, padel facility sheet, version 2025, p. 4
- FFT, Fiche de contrôle Padel 2025, version 2
- FIP, Rules of Padel, valid from 1 January 2026, lighting section
- FIP: Cupra FIP Tour Rulebook 2026, 11.1.7
- FIP: Premier Padel Rulebook Men, Version 2026/2, 11.7
- licht.de: licht.wissen 08 Sport und Freizeit (2010), p. 10
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