Padel has rapidly gained popularity across the UK, becoming a favourite pastime among sports enthusiasts. Whether played recreationally or competitively, proper court illumination is essential for ensuring a high-quality playing experience. Unlike other racquet sports, padel is typically played in an enclosed space with walls that influence ball movement, requiring carefully planned lighting to maintain visibility and reduce glare.

Understanding the nuances of padel court illumination is crucial for ensuring fair play, player safety, and compliance with regulations. This guide delves into the technical aspects of lighting a padel court, covering regulations, design considerations, installation, and maintenance.
 

Understanding Padel and Its Court Requirements

 

How is Padel Different from Tennis?

 
Padel is often compared to tennis due to similarities in scoring and gameplay dynamics, but there are significant differences that affect court design and, consequently, lighting requirements. Padel courts are smaller than tennis courts, measuring 20m in length and 10m in width, and are enclosed by glass or mesh walls that impact ball movement.

Unlike tennis, where long-range lobs and high-speed serves dominate the game, padel relies heavily on angles, rebounds, and quick reflexes. This difference influences the padel court lighting design—while tennis requires broader, high-intensity lighting for longer ball trajectories, padel lighting must ensure uniformity, minimal glare, and adequate wall illumination to track rebounds accurately.


 

Can Padel Be Played Indoors and Outdoors?

 
Padel courts can be constructed both indoors and outdoors, with lighting requirements varying for each setting. Indoor courts typically require artificial lighting throughout the day, while outdoor courts may need to balance natural daylight with artificial illumination. In both cases, proper lighting placement is essential to avoid shadows or reflections that could interfere with gameplay.
 

Why Has Padel Become a Favourite Pastime in the UK?

 
Padel has seen exponential growth in the UK due to its accessibility and social nature. Unlike tennis, which can have a steep learning curve, padel is easier to pick up for beginners. It also encourages doubles play, making it a popular sport for groups and families. The UK has seen a rise in padel court construction, with clubs and leisure centres incorporating padel facilities to meet increasing demand.

As more people take up the sport, ensuring that courts are well-lit has become a priority. Proper lighting enhances visibility, extends playing hours into the evening, and meets competitive standards, contributing to the sport’s continued growth.


How to Illuminate a Padel Court

 
Good lighting is key to maintaining clear visibility during a padel game. Most courts use LED floodlights, which offer bright, efficient illumination. To ensure even lighting and minimize glare, these lights should be strategically positioned along the court’s sides and outside the enclosures. LED floodlights are an excellent choice for padel courts because they can cut energy use and costs by up to 50% compared to traditional lighting.

They also require little maintenance, making them a smart, cost-effective investment. Glare control is another critical factor in padel court lighting. Since players often need to look up for smashes and lobs, reducing glare is essential for optimal visibility and gameplay.
 

Padel Court Lighting Regulations

 
Padel court lighting must meet the standards set by the International Padel Federation, specifically the UNE-EN 12193 regulation, which defines both qualitative and quantitative lighting requirements for sports facilities.

This standard categorizes lighting into three levels based on usage and competition type:

  • Class I Lighting: Designed for high-level competitions and spectator events. Indoor courts require 750 lux with a uniformity of 0.7, while outdoor courts need 500 lux with the same uniformity.
  • Class II Lighting: Suitable for mid-level competitions and high-performance training. Indoor courts should have 500 lux with a uniformity of 0.7, while outdoor courts require 300 lux.
  • Class III Lighting: Intended for recreational play and lower-level competitions. Indoor courts need 300 lux with a uniformity of 0.5, while outdoor courts require 200 lux with a uniformity of 0.6.

    • Regulations also specify that lighting columns must be positioned outside the court along the sides, maintaining a safe distance. The minimum height from the ground to the bottom of the light fixtures must be at least 6 meters. Proper lighting is essential for optimal visibility, reducing glare, and ensuring fair and safe playing conditions on padel courts.


     

    Competition-Level Padel Court Lighting

     
    For competition-level padel courts, lighting must meet International Padel Federation standards to ensure optimal visibility for both players and spectators. The minimum required lighting is 500 lux for outdoor courts, providing clear and consistent illumination across the entire playing surface. This level of brightness enhances player reaction times, improves ball tracking, and ensures a fair playing environment.

    Additionally, lighting uniformity must be at least 0.7 to minimize variations in brightness and create a balanced visual experience. For TV-broadcasted events, even higher lux levels may be necessary, along with adjustments to color temperature and light direction. These modifications help reduce shadows and ensure cameras capture sharp, high-contrast images, enhancing the viewing experience for audiences.
     

    Designing an Effective Padel Court Lighting Layout

     

    How Many Light Poles Are Needed for a Padel Court?


    A standard padel court typically requires four to six light poles or lamp posts.

    The most common configurations include:

  • Four-pole setup: Two poles on each long side, positioned symmetrically.
  • Six-pole setup: Additional poles for enhanced brightness and uniformity, often used for competitive courts.

    • Pole height is generally around 6m to 8m, ensuring optimal light distribution without excessive spillover.



     


    Should Padel Courts Have Direct or Diffused Lighting?

     
    Diffused lighting is preferred as it minimises harsh shadows and reduces glare. Direct lighting can create uneven brightness and blind spots, negatively affecting gameplay. High-quality LED fixtures with anti-glare properties ensure that players can track the ball easily without discomfort.

    Installation Guide for Padel Court Lighting


    Installing a padel court lighting system involves several key steps:

  • Planning the Layout: Determine the ideal positioning of lamp posts based on court dimensions and required luminance levels.
  • Selecting Fixtures: Choose weather-resistant, energy-efficient LED lights with appropriate beam angles.
  • Electrical Setup: Ensure proper wiring and voltage regulation to maintain consistent light output.
  • Pole Installation: Securely install lamp posts at the correct height and angles for even illumination
  • Testing and Adjustments: Conduct a trial run to check for shadows, glare, and light uniformity, making necessary adjustments before finalising the setup
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    How to Maintain and Optimise Padel Court Lighting?


    Regular maintenance ensures that padel court lighting remains efficient and effective.

    Key maintenance practices include:

  • Routine Cleaning: Remove dirt and debris from light fixtures to maintain brightness.
  • Bulb Replacements: Periodically check and replace LED modules to prevent uneven lighting.
  • Structural Inspections: Ensure poles and wiring remain secure and free from damage.
  • Glare Adjustments: Modify angles or install shields if glare becomes an issue.
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    The Impact of Lighting on Padel Performance

     

    What Time Do People Play Padel?


    Padel is commonly played in the late afternoon and evening, particularly after work hours. Proper sports pitch lighting extends playing time, allowing clubs to operate longer and increasing accessibility for players.
     

    How Does Lighting Affect Player Performance in Padel?


    Lighting quality directly affects reaction time, visibility, and overall gameplay. Poor lighting can lead to misjudging ball trajectories, increasing the likelihood of errors and potential injuries. Well-planned lighting enhances contrast and depth perception, ensuring an optimal playing experience.
     

    Conclusion


    Illuminating a padel court requires a strategic approach that considers court size, regulations, and player needs. Whether designing lighting for a recreational facility or a professional tournament venue, prioritising uniform brightness, minimising glare, and using high-quality LED fixtures will enhance gameplay and extend the usability of the court.

    As padel continues to grow in popularity across the UK, well-lit courts will play a crucial role in making the sport more accessible and enjoyable for all.