Lighting
Padel court lighting is measured in lux, and the level you need depends on the tier of play. Recreational sessions work fine at roughly 200 lux, while televised pro matches demand 1,000 lux or more. Uniformity across the court matters just as much as raw brightness.
What lighting levels do padel courts need?
Padel court lighting is rated in lux, the standard measure of illuminance. The FIP Court Homologation Annex sets four tiers: about 200 lux for casual recreational play, 300 to 500 lux for amateur club competition, 750 lux minimum for non-broadcast professional matches, and 1,000 lux minimum vertical illuminance for HD television.
When does the lighting tier matter?
It matters whenever a court hosts ranked or televised play. Clubs running social bookings rarely chase pro-tier lux, but venues bidding for FIP tournaments must meet 750 lux or 1,000 lux for broadcast. Major events such as Premier Padel finals routinely exceed 2,000 lux to satisfy slow-motion camera capture.
How lighting affects play
Brightness alone is not enough. The uniformity ratio (Emin/Emax) should sit at or below 0.7, meaning the darkest spot on court is no less than 70 percent as bright as the lightest. Poor uniformity creates shadows behind the glass, making lobs and wall reads harder to track.
Quick reference: Recreational ~200 lux, amateur 300 to 500 lux, pro 750 lux, TV broadcast 1,000 lux minimum.
Common misconceptions
The biggest myth is that brighter automatically means better. A court lit to 800 lux with patchy coverage plays worse than a uniform 400 lux court. Glare from poorly aimed fixtures also blinds players on the lob. FIP appointed LED Light Projects as its official lighting supplier in February 2026.
