Sports Lighting Footcandle Standards for Football 🏈
The purpose of the following sports lighting foot candle standards is to provide the reader with recommendations to aid in the design of sports lighting systems. The goal of lighting for sports is to provide an appropriate luminous environment that contributes to the visibility of the playing target (ball), the competitors and the surrounding backgrounds. The popular sport of football is covered in the following.
Class I
Football Class I Footcandle Standards
Class I of competitive play is any competition that is played before a group of 5,000 or more spectators. Lighting criteria for major stadiums and arenas require special design considerations such as vertical and horizontal illuminance values not covered by this practice, which may be defined by individual sports governing bodies and/or broadcasting organizations.
Recommended illuminance level:
Horizontal illuminance: 100 fc. CV = 0.13 or less. (Emax/Emin = 1.7:1 or less)
Illuminance readings should be taken at a 1m (3’) elevation on a 9m x 9m (30’ x 30’) grid.
Class II
Football Class II Footcandle Standards
Class II of competitive play is any competition that is played before a group of up to 5,000 spectators. Lighting criteria for major stadiums and arenas require special design considerations such as vertical and horizontal illuminance values not covered by this practice, which may be defined by individual sports governing bodies and/or broadcasting organizations.
Recommended illuminance level:
Horizontal illuminance: 50 fc. CV = 0.17 or less. (Emax/Emin = 2.0:1 or less)
Illuminance readings should be taken at a 1m (3’) elevation on a 9m x 9m (30’ x 30’) grid.
Class III
Football Class III Footcandle Standards
Class III of competitive play is any competition that is played before a group of up to 2,000 spectators. Lighting criteria for major stadiums and arenas require special design considerations such as vertical and horizontal illuminance values not covered by this practice, which may be defined by individual sports governing bodies and/or broadcasting organizations.
Recommended illuminance level:
Horizontal illuminance: 30 fc. CV = 0.21 or less. (Emax/Emin = 2.5:1 or less)
Illuminance readings should be taken at a 1m (3’) elevation on a 9m x 9m (30’ x 30’) grid.
Class IV
Football Class IV Footcandle Standards
Class IV of competitive or recreational play only, with limited or no provision for spectators. Class IV lighting levels are suitable for play at fields that do not draw a large number of spectators. Many fields that host competitive play for adult recreational leagues will have very few spectators. Games for youth leagues will typically only be attended by family members of the participants.
Recommended illuminance level:
Horizontal illuminance: 20 fc. CV = 0.25 or less. (Emax/Emin = 3:1 or less)
Illuminance readings should be taken at a 1m (3’) elevation on a 9m x 9m (30’ x 30’) grid.
Download a copy of all Football Class Standards
Optimizing Lighting for Football
The goal of lighting for sports is to provide an appropriate luminous environment that contributes to the visibility of the playing target (ball), the competitors and the surrounding backgrounds. To achieve this objective, both the quantity and quality factors of illumination should be considered.
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FOOTBALL DYNAMICS
American and Canadian Football Differences
Football is a dynamic sport that encompasses both aerial and ground play, emphasizing multi-directional movement on a uniformly illuminated field.
Comparing Canadian and American Football
Comparing Canadian and American Football
- Both share many similarities, with slight variations in rules and field dimensions. However, when it comes to illuminance criteria and design considerations, both versions of the sport align closely in ensuring optimal lighting conditions on the field.
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POLE SPECIFICAITONS
Pole Quanity, Location, and Height
- Quantity
The number of lighting poles in a stadium can range from 4 to 8, with flexibility in their placement to avoid obstructing spectator views.
- Location
One common approach is to position the poles behind the bleachers. Alternatively, placing poles in the corners of major stadiums is also acceptable, eliminating the need for a long setback behind the grandstands. However, in a four-pole layout, taller poles and longer aiming throws for the floodlights may be required.
- Height
The specific height, offset, and setback of these poles are determined based on the stadium and site configurations to ensure optimal illumination while preserving the spectators’ experience.
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