Pickleball Court Lighting Requirements and Setup Guide

Why Court Lighting Matters

Without lighting, outdoor pickleball courts are limited to daylight hours. In winter months, that can mean courts go dark by 5 PM, eliminating evening play entirely for working professionals. Lighting effectively doubles your usable court hours during shorter days and extends play well into the evening year-round.

From a club management perspective, lighting increases court utilization and revenue potential. More available hours mean more reservations, more clinic slots, and more league play opportunities. Clubs that add lighting typically see a 30 to 50 percent increase in overall court usage within the first year.

Foot-Candle Requirements

Foot-candles (fc) measure the amount of light reaching a surface. For recreational pickleball, aim for 30 to 50 foot-candles of uniform illumination across the court surface. Competitive and tournament play requires higher levels, typically 50 to 75 foot-candles, to ensure players can track the ball at faster speeds.

Uniformity is just as important as brightness. The ratio of maximum to minimum foot-candle readings across the court should not exceed 2:1 for recreational play or 1.5:1 for competition. Uneven lighting creates dark spots where players lose sight of the ball, which is both frustrating and potentially dangerous.

• Recreational play: 30 to 50 foot-candles with a 2:1 max-to-min ratio
• Competitive play: 50 to 75 foot-candles with a 1.5:1 max-to-min ratio
• Tournament standards: 75+ foot-candles with high uniformity required
• Surrounding areas: 5 to 10 foot-candles for walkways and spectator zones

LED vs Metal Halide

LED fixtures have become the clear standard for new court lighting installations. They offer immediate on/off capability, consistent color temperature, minimal maintenance, and energy savings of 50 to 70 percent compared to metal halide. LED fixtures also last 50,000 to 100,000 hours, compared to 10,000 to 20,000 hours for metal halide bulbs.

Metal halide fixtures are less expensive upfront but carry higher ongoing costs. They require 10 to 15 minutes to warm up to full brightness, consume more electricity, and need bulb replacements every few years. The total cost of ownership over ten years is almost always lower with LED. If you are installing new lights, LED is the recommended choice. If you have existing metal halide fixtures, consider a retrofit to LED when replacement is due.

Pole Placement and Mounting

Proper pole placement ensures even lighting coverage and minimizes glare for players. For a standard pickleball court (20 by 44 feet), two to four poles positioned along the sidelines at a height of 20 to 30 feet provide the best results. Poles should be set back at least 5 feet from the court edge to avoid player collisions.

Mounting height affects both coverage and glare. Higher mounting angles spread light more evenly across the court but require brighter fixtures. Lower mounting heights concentrate light but increase the risk of glare. A mounting height of 20 to 25 feet is the sweet spot for most recreational installations. Fixtures should be angled at 25 to 35 degrees from vertical to direct light onto the court surface.

Glare Reduction Strategies

Glare is the biggest complaint players have about court lighting. Direct glare occurs when players look up and see the light source. Reflected glare happens when light bounces off the court surface into players' eyes. Both types interfere with ball tracking and make play uncomfortable.

To reduce glare, use fixtures with internal visors or shields that direct light downward and prevent spill. Position lights behind the baseline rather than at the net, so players face away from the brightest fixtures during most shots. Anti-glare lenses and asymmetric beam patterns further reduce the problem. Test your lighting setup with actual players before finalizing fixture positions.

• Use fixtures with built-in visors or shields for downward light direction
• Position fixtures behind the baselines, not at the net
• Choose anti-glare lenses and asymmetric beam patterns
• Test the setup with players at night before finalizing positions

Costs and Budgeting

Court lighting costs range from $15,000 to $40,000 per court for a permanent LED installation, including poles, fixtures, wiring, and labor. The wide range reflects differences in pole height, fixture quality, soil conditions for pole foundations, and local labor rates.

Budget for the full project, not just equipment. Electrical service upgrades may be needed if your facility does not have adequate capacity. Permit fees, engineering plans, and site preparation add to the total. Get at least three quotes from lighting contractors who have experience with sports court installations. Ask each vendor for references from similar projects.

1. 1LED fixtures and mounting hardware: $4,000 to $10,000 per court
2. 2Poles and foundations: $3,000 to $8,000 per court
3. 3Electrical wiring and panel upgrades: $3,000 to $10,000 per court
4. 4Labor and installation: $3,000 to $8,000 per court
5. 5Permits, engineering, and site prep: $2,000 to $4,000 per court

Permits and Regulations

Most municipalities require permits for permanent outdoor lighting installations. Check with your local building department for specific requirements, which typically include electrical permits, structural permits for pole foundations, and sometimes environmental impact reviews.

Light trespass and dark sky ordinances are increasingly common. These regulations limit the amount of light that spills beyond your property line and restrict upward light emissions. Compliance usually requires full-cutoff fixtures that direct all light downward and shields that block spill in specific directions. Factor these requirements into your lighting design from the start to avoid costly modifications after installation.

Portable Lighting Options

If permanent lighting is not feasible due to budget, permits, or venue restrictions, portable lighting systems offer a temporary alternative. Trailer-mounted light towers provide 20 to 40 foot-candles of illumination and can be positioned around courts for evening events.

Portable systems cost $200 to $500 per night to rent and $3,000 to $8,000 to purchase. They work well for occasional evening tournaments, special events, or trial runs to gauge member interest before investing in permanent fixtures. Keep in mind that portable lights typically produce less uniform coverage and more glare than permanent installations, so they are best suited for recreational play rather than competitive events.