Ultimate Guide to Tennis Court Lighting Design
Great tennis court lighting design isn’t just about seeing where the ball goes, it’s about making the game safer, more enjoyable, and accessible at any time of the day. Whether you're designing for a local club or a pro venue, good lighting helps players see clearly, reduces injuries, and boosts the overall experience for everyone.
With more matches happening at night, knowing how many lumens to illuminate a tennis court and choosing the right tennis court lighting design is more important than ever. This guide is here to help facility managers, architects, and planners make smart lighting choices that balance performance, energy efficiency, and cost.
Tennis court lighting design
Getting the right tennis court lighting layout isn’t just about brightness; it’s about how that light is distributed, how natural it looks, and how comfortable it is for players and spectators. Here are some key tennis court lighting design concepts that every tennis court designer or facility planner should understand:
What is a lumen (and how does it relate to lux)?
When talking about tennis court lighting design, one term that comes up a lot is lumen. But what does it mean, and how many lumens are needed to illuminate a tennis court effectively?
A lumen (lm) is a unit that measures the total amount of visible light a light source emits. Simply put, it tells you how bright a light is. The higher the lumens, the brighter the light output.
You’ll also come across the term lux, which measures how much of that light actually reaches the court surface. One lux equals one lumen per square meter.
Here’s how they work together:
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Lumen = total light emitted from the fixture
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Lux = brightness on the surface (lumens ÷ area)
For example, if a light produces 1,000 lumens and lights up 1 square meter, the surface is lit at 1,000 lux. If that same 1,000 lumens is spread across 10 square meters, the brightness drops to 100 lux.
Uniformity ratios
Lighting uniformity refers to how evenly the light is spread across the entire court. It’s no good having bright spots near the net if the corners are left in the shadows. Uniformity is measured as a ratio between the minimum and average light levels. A higher uniformity ratio (like 0.7) means the lighting is more consistent, which:
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Helps players track fast-moving balls from any angle.
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Reduces eye strain by avoiding harsh contrasts between bright and dim areas.
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Ensures a fair playing environment for both sides of the court.
In short, good uniformity makes the whole court playable, not just the well-lit spots, which is vital to take into account for your tennis court lighting design.
Glare and light trespass
Glare is that blinding light you get when a fixture is aimed too directly at a player’s eyes. It’s distracting, uncomfortable, and can even be dangerous during fast-paced rallies.
Light trespass happens when tennis court lighting spills beyond the court into nearby homes, roads, or nature areas. This can lead to complaints from neighbours and wasted energy.
To reduce both:
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Use properly shielded fixtures and angled beam spreads.
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Choose asymmetric optics that focus light downward and precisely where it’s needed.
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Consider dimmer controls and lighting zones to adjust brightness based on usage or time of day.
The linear tennis court light is great for exceptional brightness and uniform illumination, eliminating shadows and glare. By understanding and applying these lighting fundamentals, you’ll create a tennis court that’s not only well-lit but also safe, comfortable, and enjoyable for everyone on and around it. This, in return, makes your tennis court lighting layout well thought out and practical.
How many lumens to illuminate a tennis court?
The number of lumens needed to light a tennis court depends on several factors, whether it's indoor or outdoor, and whether it’s for casual play, club matches, or professional tournaments.
In the UK, LTA guidelines recommend:
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500 lux for the main playing area (with a uniformity ratio of 0.7)
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400 lux for the total playing area (with 0.6 uniformity)
So, how many lumens are needed to illuminate a tennis court to these standards? You’ll need lighting systems that deliver tens of thousands of lumens, depending on the size of the area and the number of fixtures. Indoor courts often require even more, since they lack natural light.
Understanding tennis court standards and dimensions
Tennis courts come in different sizes depending on the type of play and the players' age. For adult play, a standard tennis court is:
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78 feet (23.77 meters) long
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27 feet (8.23 meters) wide for singles matches
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36 feet (10.97 meters) wide for doubles matches
For younger players, junior tennis courts are scaled down to match age and skill level, making the game more accessible and enjoyable as they develop.
Courts can also be built on various surfaces, grass, clay, hard courts, and artificial turf each offering different bounce, speed, and maintenance needs. This variety affects both playing style and lighting requirements, which is something to keep in mind for your tennis court lighting design.
Indoor vs. outdoor courts
The location of the court also influences the tennis court lighting design.
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Outdoor courts in the UK typically use lighting poles between 5 and 10 meters high, often arranged in a corner-lit layout to reduce glare and provide even coverage.
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Indoor courts rely entirely on artificial lighting. These setups often include LED strip lights or downlights, designed to minimise shadows and reflections.
Lighting levels are based on the level of play:
Getting the court dimensions and lighting right is the first step in building a space that's safe, enjoyable, and meets official standards.
Governing Body Regulations
When designing tennis court lighting, it’s important to follow the standards set by leading organisations like the ITF (International Tennis Federation), USTA (United States Tennis Association), and ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals). These bodies provide lighting guidelines to ensure consistent play conditions across all levels of the sport.
In the UK, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) recommends:
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500 lux for the principal playing area, with a uniformity ratio of 0.7
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400 lux for the total playing area, with a uniformity ratio of 0.6
These levels ensure good visibility and even lighting across the court. For venues with lower-level or recreational play, the minimum recommended lighting levels are:
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400 lux in the principal playing area (still with a 0.7 uniformity)
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300 lux for the total playing area (with a 0.6 uniformity)
Following these guidelines helps create a better playing experience and ensures compliance with industry standards.
Tennis court lighting layout
Choosing the right lighting fixtures is a big part of creating a well-lit, energy-efficient tennis court. From outdoor floodlights to indoor high bay lights, the type of fixture you select will depend on the court's location and purpose.
From outdoor floodlights to indoor high bay lights, the type of fixture you select will depend on the court's location and purpose.
Floodlights are the top choice for outdoor tennis courts. They’re designed to project a wide, powerful beam of light across a large area, which helps eliminate shadows and ensure even lighting. This is especially important for evening matches or courts in areas with inconsistent natural light. Because they light up the entire playing area, floodlights make sure players can see the ball clearly from all angles, whether you're serving at sunset or volleying under the stars.
For indoor tennis courts, high bay lights are the go-to option. Mounted on high ceilings, these lights provide strong, focused illumination that evenly lights the entire court without causing glare or hotspots. They’re perfect for sports halls or indoor arenas where ceiling height can be used to deliver powerful, uniform light coverage.
LED lighting
Switching to LED lighting is one of the smartest upgrades you can make for a tennis court. LEDs offer bright, clear, and even illumination, helping players see better and react faster, especially during night games.
They’re also incredibly energy-efficient, using far less power than traditional metal halide or halogen lights. That means lower electricity bills and a smaller environmental footprint. Plus, LEDs have a longer lifespan and need less maintenance, saving you time and money in the long run.
With better performance, lower costs, and eco-friendly benefits, LED lighting is a win on and off the court.
Game, Set, Glow.
Whether you're upgrading an existing court or building a new one, choosing the right tennis court lighting design makes all the difference and LED flood lights, LED high bays, and sports stadium lighting are the perfect place to start. At INUI, we offer a full range of high-performance lighting solutions, including LED tunnel flood lights, and LED product accessories to suit every type of project. From flood lights that deliver even, powerful coverage to LED sports stadium lights designed for top-tier performance, we make it easy to deliver bright, efficient, and professional results to your clients.
Got questions or need guidance? Get in touch with our team today, we’re here to help you light up your tennis court with confidence.