Football Field Lighting – Lighting for Football Fields Made Easy
If you’ve got a high school or college football field or stadium to light, Access Fixtures has all the resources you need to do it. Introducing all new football field lighting packages, layouts, and solutions for any level of play. These package and custom solutions will provide incredible lighting for your football field, often at a fraction of the cost of other lighting manufacturers.
Access Fixtures’ football lighting solutions are backed by years of sports lighting experience. Access Fixtures’ sports lights are the perfect solution to dull, uneven, or just plain awful football lighting. When the heart of the game depends on making that perfect catch, great lighting with appropriate horizontal and vertical footcandles is of paramount importance.
Working with an Access Fixtures lighting specialist makes it easy. The lighting specialist will work with you to determine all your requirements. Structural engineers will design the poles to meet the wind and weight requirements for the lighting. A lighting engineer will plan the lighting and then model the plan, providing you with a photometric study. The lighting specialist will review all reports with you and answer every question. Then, when you are ready, your poles and lighting will be manufactured and shipped to you.
The lighting standards for high school and college football leagues are below.
High School vs. College Football Field Measurements
The crux of the gameplay of American football involves gaining yardage toward the other team’s end zone. Therefore, all football fields are 120 yards long and 53 1/3 yards wide. The playing field is 100 yards long and each end zone is 10 yards deep. These standard measurements apply to high school and college football fields and even professional NFL fields.
The sizing difference between different levels of play lies in the space between the two sets of hash marks that traverse the field. To the right, there is a diagram of a typical high school football field layout with all of the relevant markings. The difference in the width of the hash marks from the high school level to the NFL level is shown below.
- High School — 53 feet, 4 inches
- College — 40 feet
- NFL — 18 feet, 6 inches
Pole Placement and LED Sports Lighting Standards
The diagram to the right shows how football field lighting poles can vary in both layout and quantity, which is a crucial part of the overall lighting system. The most typical setup for light poles is 4 poles, but 6-pole and 8-pole setups are also common. When dealing with large stadiums, poles may be placed between bleachers or stands.
When installing LED sports lights for outdoor sports facilities, it is essential to consider Effective Projected Area (EPA) and wind load to ensure safety and stability.
Lighting standards for football fields do vary depending on level of play, and the right sports light can make a significant difference in visibility and performance. IES, or Illuminating Engineering Society, recommends the following footcandle minimums for differing levels of play:
- Recreational (Limited or no spectators): 20fc
- High School (Up to 2,000 spectators): 30fc
- High School (Up to 5,000 spectators): 50fc
- College: 100-150fc
Lighting manufacturers use Effective Projected Area (EPA) measurements to help determine the appropriate sizing and weight of luminaires, which in turn affects installation requirements for lighting fixtures in windy environments.
As you can see, the level of light needed to illuminate a football field depends largely on the amount of spectators the field is built to accommodate. College football is generally a major event and is often televised, which means that there are often over tens of thousands of spectators. A large stadium and an equally large crowd increases the recommended amount of footcandles substantially.
Max/min ratios for lighting a football field also vary depending on level of play. A max/min ratio measures how even the lighting in a given space is. It is calculated by dividing the maximum amount of footcandles present in an area by the lowest amount of footcandles present in the same area. A max/min ratio of under 3.0 is generally considered to be even lighting with no hot spots or shadowy spots on the lit surface. For high school level and below, a max/min ratio of 2.5 or below is acceptable. For college and higher, a ratio of 2.0 or below is necessary.
Proper installation and technical specifications of sports lighting fixtures, such as power ratings and current loads, are crucial for optimal illumination and safety.
Football Lighting and The Environment
Today, all communities are concerned about the environment. Access Fixtures is concerned too. Access Fixtures LED light fixtures do not contain Mercury and the vast majority of the components including the poles are recycle-able. The newest trend in football field lighting is dark sky compliant football field lighting. Access Fixtures lighting engineers can design and build football field lighting that is dark sky compliant.
Switching to LED lighting can also significantly reduce energy costs over time due to lower energy usage and maintenance requirements.
APTA: The Best Football Field Lighting Fixture
Access Fixtures’ APTA sports lighter is the best option to light any football field regardless of level of play. These high-powered fixtures get the job done.
The APTA is an energy-efficient luminaire that emits 125+ luminaire lumens per watt. It is available in multiple wattages and different combinations of these wattages may be used to create a perfectly even lighting solution for a football field. APTA luminaires feature custom optics, finish, and color temperature, though 5000-5600K is most commonly seen in football lighting.
APTA fixtures are IP67 rated, rendering them submersible, dustproof, corrosion-proof, and bug-proof. Their modular design means that they are field-reparable and incredibly easy to replace. APTA fixtures are guaranteed with an Access Fixtures warranty for five years after the purchase date.
The APTA fixtures can be mounted several different ways on different pole styles. Access Fixtures carries steel, aluminum, and fiberglass poles with a large assortment of mounting options. Mounting equipment and hardware are included with any purchase of a football field lighting package. Depending on the location, customer preference, and amount of fixtures, customers might choose one type of pole over another. Generally, questions of design are up to the customer’s discretion. Please note that football field lighting should only be installed by a licensed electrician!
Great Quality Lighting is Our Goal
Football field lighting just became simpler than ever with quality LED lights and lighting solutions. Any high school or college football field can be lit with long-lasting and efficient LED sports lighters. Effective sports lighting enhances player performance and spectator experience. Additionally, glare control is essential for optimal visibility and safety. Advancements in stadium lighting, particularly with LED technology, have significantly improved energy efficiency and light quality, meeting broadcast standards and enhancing the overall experience for players and spectators. To fast-track your football field lighting experience, request a photometric analysis from Access Fixtures. A photometric analysis will take all the dimensions, playing surface, and other factors of your football field into account and generate a computerized report of the lighting on your field with the best available optics and luminaires. This will provide the most accurate and even lighting for your project. Feel free to ask our lighting specialists any questions you may have regarding your football field lighting project or any other project.
Conclusion
Lighting a football field can be a complex task, but with Access Fixtures, it becomes straightforward and efficient. Our football field lighting packages and custom solutions are designed to meet the unique needs of any level of play, ensuring optimal lighting conditions that enhance both player performance and spectator experience. With expert guidance from our lighting specialists, state-of-the-art APTA luminaires, and a commitment to environmental responsibility, we provide lighting solutions that are durable, energy-efficient, and tailored to your specific requirements. Whether you are lighting a high school field or a college stadium, Access Fixtures offers the expertise and products you need to achieve excellent results.
Football Field Lighting Frequently Asked Questions
You have Football Field Lighting questions. We have answers. If you have a question that isn’t answered below, contact an Access Fixtures lighting specialist at (800) 468-9925 or click here to visit our customer service page.
What is the difference between high school and college football field lighting requirements?
High school fields typically require 30-50 footcandles, while college fields require 100-150 footcandles to accommodate larger crowds and televised events.
How does the max/min ratio affect football field lighting?
The max/min ratio measures the uniformity of lighting. A ratio of 2.5 or below is suitable for high school fields, while a ratio of 2.0 or below is necessary for college fields to avoid hot spots and shadows.
What makes the APTA sports lighter ideal for football fields?
The APTA is energy-efficient, highly durable (IP67 rated), customizable in terms of wattage and optics, and offers excellent lumens per watt, making it perfect for consistent and powerful football field lighting.
What is dark sky compliant lighting, and why is it important?
Dark sky compliant lighting minimizes light pollution by directing light downward, preserving the night sky, and reducing the environmental impact of artificial lighting.
Can I customize the lighting layout for my football field?
Yes, Access Fixtures offers custom lighting layouts tailored to the specific dimensions and requirements of your football field, including photometric analysis to ensure optimal lighting.
How many light poles do I need for a football field?
The number of poles typically ranges from 4 to 8, depending on the size of the stadium and the level of play. Access Fixtures can help determine the best setup for your field.
What are the benefits of switching to LED football field lighting?
LED lighting offers lower energy consumption, reduced maintenance costs, longer lifespan, and improved lighting quality compared to traditional lighting systems.
How does Access Fixtures ensure the durability of its football field lighting?
Access Fixtures’ APTA luminaires are designed to withstand harsh conditions, featuring IP67 ratings for dust, water, and corrosion resistance, ensuring long-lasting performance.
Is a photometric analysis necessary for football field lighting?
Yes, a photometric analysis is essential to accurately plan and visualize the lighting distribution on your field, ensuring even coverage and compliance with lighting standards.
Can football field lighting be installed by anyone?
No, football field lighting should be installed by a licensed electrician to ensure proper setup, safety, and compliance with local codes and regulations.