LED Soccer Field Lighting for Every Competition Level
At Access Fixtures, one of our goals is to simplify high-performance lighting solutions for our customers. We ask ourselves every day how we can provide efficient and high-quality lighting to end users, contractors, and property owners. Sometimes our projects are small and sometimes they are larger. As we continue to develop and perfect new sports lighting packages, we have increasingly found ourselves looking to create and implement lighting packages for soccer field lighting and provide the right number of footcandles to every level of play.
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Planning and Design
Planning and designing a soccer field lighting system is crucial to ensure optimal visibility, safety, and gameplay experience. The process involves several factors that need careful consideration:
- Determining the Level of Play and Competition: Different levels of play require different lighting intensities. For instance, a recreational field will have different needs compared to a professional stadium.
- Assessing the Field Size and Shape: Soccer fields vary in size, and the lighting layout must be tailored to fit the specific dimensions of your field.
- Evaluating the Existing Lighting Infrastructure: If there is already some lighting in place, it’s important to assess its condition and determine if it can be integrated into the new system.
- Considering the Budget and Financing Options: Budget constraints will influence the type and number of lighting fixtures you can install. Exploring financing options can help manage costs.
- Selecting the Right Type and Number of Lighting Fixtures: Determining how many lights are needed based on the field’s dimensions and desired illumination levels is crucial for optimal soccer field lighting.
- Designing the Lighting Layout and Configuration: A well-thought-out layout ensures that the lighting is evenly distributed, minimizing shadows and glare.
- Conducting Photometric Analysis: This analysis helps in fine-tuning the lighting design to ensure uniform lighting and optimal performance.
A well-designed lighting system should provide adequate illumination, minimize shadows and glare, and meet the specific needs of players, referees, and spectators.
Finding the Right Lighting Level for Your Soccer Field
Obviously, a televised World Cup soccer game between two of the best soccer teams in the world is going to require different and more complex lighting than a junior high soccer team will. Access Fixtures has conducted independent research on the recommended footcandles for different levels of play and compiled the list below. Each of these figures is an approximate estimate as some of our sources contradict one another. However, the following can provide general guidelines when deciding how to light a soccer field.
- Recreational Level/Parks: 20-30fc
- High School Level: 30-50fc
- College Level: 50fc
- Division I College Level: 75-100fc
- Televised National (FIFA standards): 130-190fc
- Televised International (FIFA standards): 170-225fc
As stated previously, these are just general guidelines. Lighting may be increased or decreased depending on your particular soccer lighting project.
LED Soccer Field Lighting Benefits
LED soccer field lighting offers numerous benefits, making it the preferred choice for modern sports lighting systems:
Energy Efficiency:
- LED lights consume significantly less energy than traditional HID lights, resulting in lower operating costs and a reduced carbon footprint.
Longer Lifespan:
- LED lights have a longer lifespan, often up to over 200,000 hours, compared to HID lights, which last up to 10,000 hours. This reduces maintenance and replacement costs.
Improved Visibility:
- LED lights provide high-quality, uniform lighting that enhances visibility and accuracy on the field, improving the overall gameplay experience.
Instant On/Off:
- LED lights turn on and off instantly, eliminating the need for warm-up time and reducing energy consumption.
Durability:
- LED lights are resistant to corrosion, fading, and extreme weather conditions, ensuring reliable performance and longevity.
These benefits make LED soccer field lighting a smart investment for any soccer field, providing high-quality lighting while being cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
Field Sizes and Lighting Layout
Unlike sports like tennis, pickleball, and American football, soccer fields can range in size quite dramatically. Youth soccer fields barely resemble a soccer field used in the World Cup. Standard soccer field sizes can range anywhere from 100-130 yards long (from goal to goal) and 50-100 yards wide. This variance can make creating specific, ready-to-buy lighting packages difficult if not impossible. Other field issues that need to be taken into account are the location of bleachers, benches, and possible stadium sidelines. Lighting must be uniform and thus needs to be placed outside any possible barriers and also outside the field itself.
Soccer fields do however have some uniform elements. For example, the diameter of a soccer field’s center circle is always 20 yards. The penalty box is always 18 yards by 44 yards, and the goal area is always 6 yards deep. Knowing that the soccer field is always symmetrical on both sides is helpful in determining placement of poles and luminaires. The dimensions and specifications of a soccer pitch are crucial in determining the number of lighting poles needed for effective illumination.
The quantity of luminaires will depend on the footcandle requirements. Four poles will typically be used to light a soccer field. Depending on the location of the soccer field, certain pole materials may be chosen over others. The importance of lighting poles in relation to their height and quantity for optimal sports field illumination cannot be overstated. Please discuss with your lighting specialist before determining which poles to use in your soccer lighting project.
APTA: The Best Soccer Field Lighting Fixture
Access Fixtures’ APTA sports lighter is the best option to light any soccer field regardless of size or level of play. No matter the location, these high-powered fixtures get the job done.
The APTI 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 soccer field. In terms of longevity, these fixtures are best in class. They are L70 rated at over 250,000 hours, compared to a traditional metal halide fixture that would only last for 15,000 hours. Sports lighting is a pain to replace, so it is better and more cost effective for these fixtures to last as long as possible. APTI luminaires feature custom optics, finish, and color temperature. LED light fixtures are more efficient, provide better brightness levels, and require less maintenance than traditional HID options, significantly impacting gameplay and spectator experience.
APTI fixtures are IP67 rated, making them submersible, dustproof, corrosion-proof, and bug-proof. Their modular design means that if one module breaks, the others will still continue to function. This design also makes them incredibly easy to replace. APTI fixtures are guaranteed with an Access Fixtures warranty for five years after the purchase date. While outdoor soccer fields are more prevalent, indoor soccer fields also require specific types of lighting to ensure proper visibility.
The APTI 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 soccer field lighting package. Depending on the location, customer preference, and amount of fixtures, one might choose one type of pole over another. Generally, questions of design are up to the customer’s discretion. Please note that soccer field lighting should only be installed by a licensed electrician! Stadium lighting is crucial for ensuring visibility and safety for players during soccer matches, as well as enhancing the viewing experience for spectators.
Installation and Maintenance
Installing and maintaining a soccer field lighting system requires careful planning and execution to ensure optimal performance and longevity. Here are some key considerations:
- Hiring a Professional Installer: It’s crucial to hire a professional with experience in sports lighting to ensure the system is installed correctly and safely.
- Ensuring Compliance with Local Regulations and Safety Standards: Adhering to local regulations and safety standards is essential to avoid legal issues and ensure the safety of players and spectators.
- Conducting Regular Maintenance Checks: Regular maintenance checks help identify and address any issues promptly, ensuring the lighting system operates efficiently.
- Replacing Faulty or Damaged Lighting Fixtures Promptly: Timely replacement of faulty or damaged fixtures prevents disruptions and maintains the quality of lighting.
- Upgrading the Lighting System as Needed: As technology advances and requirements change, upgrading the lighting system can help maintain optimal performance and meet new standards.
Regular maintenance is essential to ensure the lighting system operates efficiently, safely, and effectively, providing a high-quality lighting experience for all users.
Great Lighting is Our Goal
Soccer field lighting just became more convenient than ever. The importance of sports field lighting in enhancing the game’s visibility and safety for both players and spectators cannot be overstated. Any soccer field, no matter the level of play, can be lit with long-lasting and efficient LED fixtures. The fastest way to obtain lighting for your soccer field is to request a photometric analysis from Access Fixtures. A photometric analysis will take all the factors of your soccer field into account and generate a computerized report of the lighting on your field with the best available optics and luminaires. Using LED sports lights for soccer field lighting is crucial due to their power and efficiency. 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 soccer field project or any other project. Stadium lights play a vital role in illuminating soccer fields and ensuring uniform lighting across the playing area.
Conclusion
Proper soccer field lighting enhances visibility, safety, and gameplay for all competition levels. With high-performance APTA LED sports lighting, Access Fixtures provides efficient, long-lasting, and cost-effective solutions tailored to meet footcandle requirements. Whether for a recreational park or a FIFA-standard stadium, our team ensures the best lighting layout with a photometric analysis.
LED Soccer Field Lighting Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many footcandles are required for a soccer field?
The required footcandles depend on the level of play. Recreational fields typically need 20-30 fc, while professional and televised games require 130-225 fc, based on FIFA standards.
How many poles are needed for a soccer field?
Most soccer fields use four poles, but larger or more complex fields may require six or more for even illumination.
What are the benefits of LED soccer field lighting?
LED lighting offers higher energy efficiency, longer lifespan (250,000+ hours), instant on/off functionality, and superior visibility compared to traditional HID lighting.
Can existing poles be used for new LED fixtures?
It depends on the pole’s height, strength, and EPA (Effective Projected Area). A lighting specialist can help determine if your existing poles meet the necessary standards.
How do I get a photometric analysis for my soccer field?
Simply contact Access Fixtures to request a photometric analysis. This ensures the best fixture placement, pole height, and lighting levels for your specific field.