Tennis Court Lighting: Standards, Costs, and Installation

Lighting Standards and Requirements

The USTA and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) publish lighting standards that specify minimum illumination levels for different types of play. For recreational and club-level play, the standard calls for 50 to 75 foot-candles of light measured at the court surface. This level provides clear visibility of the ball against the night sky and adequate depth perception for baseline rallies and net approaches.

Competition-level courts require 100 foot-candles or more, with stricter uniformity ratios to eliminate dark spots and shadows. If your club hosts sanctioned tournaments or televised events, you will need to meet these higher standards. Uniformity, measured as the ratio of minimum to average illumination across the court, should be at least 0.6 for recreational play and 0.7 or higher for competition.

• Recreational and club play: 50 to 75 foot-candles
• Competition and tournament play: 100+ foot-candles
• Uniformity ratio: 0.6 minimum for club play, 0.7+ for competition
• Measurement taken at court surface level, averaged across multiple points

LED vs Traditional Fixtures

Metal halide lamps were the standard for tennis court lighting for decades, but LED technology has largely replaced them for new installations and retrofits. LEDs produce instant, flicker-free light without the 10 to 15 minute warm-up period that metal halide fixtures require. This instant-on capability is especially valuable for clubs that use timer or coin-operated lighting systems.

LED fixtures also deliver superior light quality with better color rendering, which helps players track the ball more accurately against the night sky. The color temperature for tennis court LEDs typically falls between 5000K and 6000K, producing a bright, daylight-like illumination. While LED fixtures have a higher upfront cost per unit, their longer lifespan of 50,000 to 100,000 hours compared to 10,000 to 20,000 hours for metal halide makes them the more economical choice over time.

Pole Height and Placement

Proper pole placement minimizes glare for players while maximizing coverage uniformity. The standard configuration uses 4 to 6 poles per court, positioned along the sidelines outside the playing area. Poles are typically set 5 to 10 feet beyond the court boundary to avoid interference with play and to provide safe clearance for players chasing wide balls.

Pole height depends on fixture type and court layout, but 30 to 40 feet is the standard range for outdoor tennis courts. Taller poles allow fixtures to be aimed at a lower angle, which reduces direct glare in players eyes and improves uniformity across the court surface. For multi-court facilities, poles can be shared between adjacent courts to reduce the total number of poles and lower installation costs.

Light Pollution and Shielding

Light spill and sky glow are common concerns for tennis facilities located near residential areas. Modern LED fixtures address this through precision optics that direct light downward onto the court with minimal horizontal scatter. Full-cutoff and shielded fixtures are designed specifically to reduce off-site light pollution and are often required by local zoning ordinances.

Before installing lights, check your municipality zoning codes and dark-sky ordinances. Some jurisdictions limit the hours during which outdoor sports lighting can operate, the maximum mounting height, and the amount of light measured at the property boundary. Proactively addressing these concerns by choosing shielded fixtures and setting automatic shutoff times helps maintain good relations with neighbors and avoids potential code violations.

Costs and Budgeting

The total cost to light a tennis court ranges from $20,000 to $60,000 per court, depending on fixture technology, pole configuration, electrical infrastructure, and local labor rates. A basic LED installation on an existing court with accessible electrical service falls toward the lower end of that range. A full installation with new poles, underground wiring, and premium competition-grade fixtures will approach the higher end.

LED retrofit projects, where you replace the fixtures on existing poles and reuse the wiring, typically cost $8,000 to $20,000 per court. This is the most cost-effective upgrade path for clubs with aging metal halide systems. Request quotes from at least three qualified lighting contractors, and ask each to provide a photometric plan showing predicted light levels and uniformity across the court.

1. 1New full installation with LED fixtures: $30,000 to $60,000 per court
2. 2New full installation with metal halide: $20,000 to $40,000 per court
3. 3LED retrofit on existing poles: $8,000 to $20,000 per court
4. 4Electrical infrastructure upgrades if needed: $3,000 to $10,000 additional
5. 5Photometric study and design: $500 to $2,000

Energy Savings with LED

LED fixtures consume 40 to 60 percent less electricity than metal halide lamps while producing equal or superior light output. For a typical four-court facility operating lights five hours per night, switching from metal halide to LED can save $3,000 to $6,000 annually in electricity costs alone. Over the 10 to 15 year lifespan of the LED fixtures, those savings more than offset the higher initial investment.

LEDs also eliminate the maintenance costs associated with metal halide systems. Metal halide bulbs degrade noticeably after 3,000 to 5,000 hours and need replacement, requiring a lift truck and electrician each time. LED fixtures maintain consistent output throughout their rated life and rarely need individual lamp replacement, further reducing your long-term operating expenses.

Timer and Smart Controls

Automated controls ensure lights operate only when needed, preventing wasted energy from lights left on after play has ended. Basic timer systems turn lights on and off at preset times, while more advanced smart controls integrate with your court reservation system to activate lights only when a court is booked.

Many clubs pair smart lighting controls with a coin-operated or card-activated system that allows members to turn on lights for a set period, typically 60 or 90 minutes, for a small fee of $5 to $10. This user-activated model ensures lights run only during actual use and creates a modest revenue stream to offset electricity costs. Some modern systems also support dimming, allowing you to reduce light levels during casual play to save energy while maintaining full brightness for competitive matches.