Padel Court Lighting: Lux Levels, Poles & LED Options (2026 Guide)
1. Lux Standards: How Much Light Do You Need?
Lux measures light intensity on the court. The right level depends on who plays on your court:
| Level of play | Required lux | Uniformity (min:max) |
|---|---|---|
| Recreational / social play | 150-200 lux | 0.5 |
| Club / league matches | 300-500 lux | 0.6-0.7 |
| Professional / televised events | 750 lux | 0.7 |
Most club owners choose 300 lux for competition-ready courts — it satisfies league requirements while keeping energy costs sensible. If you plan to stream matches, budget for the 750 lux tier from the start; retrofitting later is expensive.
2. How does LED lighting compare to traditional lighting?
| Factor | LED (recommended) | Metal halide (old) |
|---|---|---|
| Lifespan | 50,000-100,000 hours | 6,000-15,000 hours |
| Energy use | ~40% less | Baseline |
| Warm-up time | Instant (0-1s) | 5-15 minutes |
| Flicker at TV speed | No | Yes |
| Replacement cycle | 8-12 years | 1-2 years |
LED also gives better color rendering (CRI 80+ vs 65), which matters for ball visibility and broadcast. The upfront cost is slightly higher, but payback from energy savings is typically 2-3 years.
3. What height, count, and position should padel court poles have?
A standard 20×10m padel court uses 4-6 poles:
- 4 poles (corners, 6-8m high): minimum cost, good for recreational courts at 200 lux.
- 6 poles (corners + mid-side, 8-10m high): recommended for 300+ lux club play — better uniformity and less shadow.
- Roof-mounted (indoor courts): fixtures on the roof structure, spacing 4-5m apart, angled 15-25° toward the court center.
Poles sit 2-4m outside the court perimeter so they never interfere with the glass walls or ball rebounding. Outdoor courts use hot-dip galvanized poles rated for wind load in your region.
4. How much energy do padel court lights use and cost to run?
| System | Power per court | Yearly energy cost* |
|---|---|---|
| LED 200 lux (recreational) | 1.2-1.8 kW | $350-550 |
| LED 300 lux (club) | 2.0-3.0 kW | $600-900 |
| LED 500 lux (competition) | 3.5-4.5 kW | $1,000-1,400 |
| Metal halide 300 lux | 4.5-6.0 kW | $1,300-1,800 |
*Assumes 8 hours/day, 365 days, $0.15/kWh. Installation cost for a complete LED system is typically USD 3,000-12,000 per court depending on lux level and pole count.
5. What anti-glare rules should you not skip for padel courts?
Glare is the #1 complaint at padel courts — it ruins the lob game, which is the sport's signature shot. Three rules:
- Uniformity 3:1 max — the brightest point on court should not exceed 3× the dimmest point.
- Aim fixtures at 25° or less from vertical, toward court center, never toward players' eye height.
- Use full-cutoff fixtures — no light above 90° horizontal (prevents spill into neighboring properties).
Ask your supplier for a lux layout diagram (dialux/relux calculation) before ordering — a serious vendor provides one free.
FAQ
How much lux do I need for club play?
For club or league matches, choose 300 lux. This level satisfies league requirements while keeping energy costs sensible. Most club owners select 300 lux for competition-ready courts, and it provides a good balance between performance and operating expense.
Is LED lighting better than metal halide for padel?
Yes, LED is recommended. LED systems use about 40% less energy, last 50,000-100,000 hours, have instant warm-up, no flicker at TV speed, and better color rendering. Although upfront cost is higher, payback from energy savings is typically two to three years.
How many poles does a padel court need?
A standard 20×10m padel court uses 4-6 poles. Four poles at corners, 6-8m high, suit recreational courts at 200 lux. Six poles, including mid-side, 8-10m high, are recommended for 300+ lux club play, offering better uniformity and less shadow.
What height should padel court lighting poles be?
For four-pole layouts, poles should be 6-8m high. For six-pole layouts, use 8-10m high poles. Poles sit 2-4m outside the court perimeter so they never interfere with glass walls or ball rebounding. Outdoor courts need hot-dip galvanized poles rated for regional wind load.
How much does it cost to run padel court lights?
Yearly energy cost depends on lux level. LED at 200 lux costs $350-550, at 300 lux $600-900, and at 500 lux $1,000-1,400. Metal halide at 300 lux costs $1,300-1,800. These figures assume 8 hours per day, 365 days, at $0.15 per kWh.
What anti-glare rules should padel court lighting follow?
Follow three rules: keep uniformity within 3:1 max, aim fixtures at 25° or less from vertical toward court center, and use full-cutoff fixtures with no light above 90° horizontal. Ask your supplier for a lux layout diagram before ordering; a serious vendor provides one free.