Pickleball Court Lighting – A Comprehensive Guide 2024

pickleball court lighting

The game of pickleball has evolved from a children’s game to one that is now played in tournaments and is popular with people of all ages. After all the day-long work of daily life, you may want to try pickleball at night for leisure.

Are you looking to light up your pickleball court for night-time play? Our comprehensive guide has got you covered! From LED lights to adjustable settings and installation tips, we’ll show you how to create the perfect lighting setup for your court.

If you are planning to play pickleball at night, it is essential that your court is well-lit with pickleball court lights in order to prevent accidents and improve visibility on the court. Here are some tips for choosing the right pickleball court lighting.

Choosing The Right Pickleball Court Lighting

Learn how to light your pickleball court with our step-by-step guide! Discover the right lighting fixtures, calculate the number of lights needed, and ensure optimal brightness and coverage for a safe and enjoyable playing experience.

Pickleball Court Lighting Requirements

pickleball courts with lights

Pickleball court lighting requirements may vary depending on the location and specific regulations of the governing authority. However, here are some general guidelines for adequate lighting for pickleball courts:

  • A typical outdoor pickleball court will require two or four poles and four LED fixtures.
  • Lighting should be evenly distributed across the court to eliminate shadows or dark spots that could affect gameplay.
  • The recommended lighting level for pickleball courts is a minimum of 30-foot candles (fc) for recreational play and 50 fc for competitive play.

Pickleball courts with lights should be provided with spotlights mounted on poles 20 feet high and producing an average illumination of 30 footcandles (fc) and a maximum to minimum ratio of no more than 2.

  • Pickleball Court With Lights requires illumination supplied by luminaires with a max/min ratio of 2 or less.

There is a maximum-to-minimum ratio, which means that the maximum area of pickleball court lighting is divided by the lowest area which provides a measure of how even the pickleball court lighting layout is.

Most other sports have a larger field or court, thus setting the maximum max-to-min ratio at 3.0 whereas Pickleball direct has a ratio of 2 which is extremely even light that enhances visibility. Dark areas will not obscure the ball, nor will the player’s eyes have to adjust to changing light conditions.

  • The lighting fixtures should be mounted at a height of at least 20 feet and should be aimed downwards to prevent glare.

Players are able to see the ball when it goes up into a high arc with pickleball lights fixtures mounted on 20-foot poles. 

If the pole was shorter, the ball would disappear when it went above the lights, resurface somewhere else as it returned to the court, only to disappear again when it went below the lights.

pickleball court lighting cost

A pickleball lighting of 30 feet is required for a player to be able to see the ball, even if the ball moves at a high speed, whereas a low level of pickleball direct lights makes it difficult for a player to see the ball.

  • The fixtures should be shielded to prevent direct light from shining into players’ eyes.
  • The lighting system should provide uniform illumination with a correlated color temperature between 4000K and 5000K and a CRI above 70  which is considered optimal for sports activities.

CCT

CCT (Correlated Color Temperature) is a term used to describe the color of a light source which is also known as warm white, cool white, or natural white in common usage. It is recommended to use LED fixtures with a CCT ranging from 4000K to 5000K for pickleball courts, however, CCTs higher than 5000K will produce bluish tints, so avoid LED fixtures with a CCT over 5000K.

pickleball court with lights

CRI

As the color rendering index (CRI) is one of the key factors in determining how natural the color of the product will appear, the closer the CRI is to 100, the more accurate the color representation of the item will be. Players can better judge the trajectory of the flying ball, their position, and the surrounding environment with high CRI lighting, while spectators can also see the ball more clearly. 

  • Adequate lighting should be provided for the entire playing area, including any surrounding areas where players may move or gather.

How Do You Light A Pickleball Court?

To light a pickleball court, you will need to follow a few basic steps:

  1. Determine the size of your court: Before choosing to light for your pickleball court, you need to know the dimensions of your court. A standard pickleball court measures 20 feet wide and 44 feet long.
  1. Calculate the number of lights needed: Once you have the dimensions of your court, you need to calculate the number of lights required. 

A typical pickleball court needs four to six lights, depending on the level of brightness and coverage needed.

  1. Choose the right lighting fixtures: LED lights are the most popular choice for pickleball court lighting. They are energy-efficient, long-lasting, and produce high-quality light.

 It’s also important to choose lights with adjustable settings to customize the brightness and coverage of the lights.

  1. Install the lights: To install pickleball court lighting, you’ll need to set up poles or fixtures around the court and connect them to an electrical source. 

Make sure the lights are installed at a height that provides optimal coverage for the court, and be sure to follow any local regulations regarding the installation of outdoor lighting.

  1. Test the lights: Once the lights are installed, turn them on and test their brightness and coverage. Make any necessary adjustments to ensure that the entire court is well-lit and that there are no areas with excessive glare or shadows.

What is Pickleball Court Lighting Cost?

pickleball lighting

On average, the pickleball court lighting cost for a single court can range from $3,000 to $8,000, depending on the number of courts, the type of led court lights used, the electrical wiring required, and the installation costs.

Pickleball led court lights are typically the most popular option due to their energy efficiency and long lifespan, and they generally cost between $500 and $1,000 per fixture.

You should also consider ongoing maintenance courts costs, such as bulb replacements and energy consumption.

Depending on the location and complexity of the Pickleball techlight lighting installation costs can also vary in addition to lsi sports lighting prices. 

FAQS: Pickleball Court Lighting

How much light is needed for pickleball court lighting?

Lighting quality depends on both uniformity and the amount of light. The skill level of players dictates how many pickleball lights require. As the skill level is elevated, more light will be needed. ASBA Pickleball construction manual outlines three basic categories for light levels. Pickleball courts typically require a minimum of 30-foot candles (fc) of lighting, with the recommended level being 50-70 fc. This can be achieved with LED lighting fixtures, typically mounted at a height of 14-20 feet above the court surface.

What is the best luminaire-correlated color temperature (CCT) for pickleball lighting?

Light sources are measured in Kelvin degrees by their CCT. “Kelvin Temperature will be higher for cool sources, and lower for warm sources. The recommended correlated color temperature (CCT) for pickleball court lighting is between 4000K and 5000K. 

What are the benefits of led court lights Indoor fixtures?

Led pickleball lights have many benefits like energy efficiency, longer lifespan, lower maintenance costs, and improved lighting quality. They also produce less heat than traditional lighting sources, which can help reduce cooling costs and are more environmentally friendly due to their reduced carbon footprint.

How should light poles/fixtures be positioned for pickleball court lighting?

Light poles/fixtures for pickleball courts should be positioned to minimize glare and shadows while providing uniform lighting coverage across the court surface. Light poles are placed on the sides of the court and are oriented 90 degrees to the players’ primary viewing direction. Typically, fixtures are mounted at a height of 14-20 feet and angled towards the center of the court to optimize light distribution.

What maintenance is required on LED court lights luminaires?

Regular cleaning of the LED Pickleball lights is necessary to prevent dirt and debris buildup, which can reduce their brightness and lifespan. In addition, periodic inspection and replacement of any faulty components may be required to ensure the proper functioning of the luminaires.

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Casey Degnan

Casey Degnan

I'm Casey Degnan, a certified Pickleball Coach and Athletics Professional with over 20 years of sports coaching and event management experience. Previously coordinating golf operations and student activities, I now offer private pickleball lessons while blogging tips and insights at "The Pickleball Freak." My passion is helping people achieve their goals through sports.

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