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 (14-19 fc) | 0.5 |
| Club / league matches | 300-500 lux (28-46 fc) | 0.6-0.7 |
| Professional / televised events | 750 lux (70 fc) | 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.
US buyers note: in North America these courts are also sold as paddle tennis courts, and lighting plans are written in foot-candles rather than lux. One foot-candle is 10.76 lux, so the club level above is about 28 fc and a tournament court is 70 fc — the illuminance targets do not change, only the unit on the drawing. The hardware side of a US specification is different, though: US inspectors look for a UL, ETL or CSA listing on the exact fixture and driver, utilities pay rebates against the DLC list, the supply is 120–277 V at 60 Hz, an outdoor court is a wet location, and many counties cap spill light at the property line. All six checks are set out on the padel court lighting system page.
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.
Get a Factory Quote in 12 Hours
Tell us your court count, country and timeline — we reply within 12 hours with factory-direct pricing, shipping and installation options. No obligation.
Prefer an instant answer? Ask the AI assistant at the bottom-right.
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.
How many foot-candles (fc) does a US padel court need?
US plans are written in foot-candles, where 1 fc = 10.76 lux: recreational play is 14-19 fc (150-200 lux), club and league matches are 28-46 fc (300-500 lux), and tournament or televised courts are 70 fc (750 lux). The targets are the same as in metric markets, so only the unit on the drawing changes.
Specifying hardware rather than photometry? The padel court lighting system page lists the LED luminaires, pole heights and spacing, control gear and per-court power draw.