Springtime and Sports Lighting

It’s that time of year again, folks. The grass is green, the flowers are blooming, the trees are budding, and the sun is shining between April showers. Spring has sprung. And along with all the newness, some of our old favorites are back. We’re talking, of course, about sports. 

‘Tis the season for outdoor sports, and for BCU Electric, that means installation, maintenance, and upgrades in sports lighting. We are proud to work with many local school districts and universities to provide the sports lighting that fuels our area's sense of school spirit and community. Though it may seem like an insignificant part of such a grand event, lighting plays a pretty important role. We believe that lighting in a sports arena creates a special atmosphere for the athletes, coaches, fans, and even those who may be watching from afar.

Whether you’re searching on behalf of one of the entities mentioned above or just curious about what makes those ‘Friday night lights’ so memorable, we’re here to illuminate the basics of sports lighting.

Stadium Lights

Outdoor athletic arenas require a very specific type of lighting in order to accommodate the large spaces they occupy. In the past, stadiums have been lit by Metal Halide lights, a type of High-Intensity Discharge (HID) lighting. However, various beneficial aspects of LED technology and recent innovations have made LED lighting the most popular choice for stadiums like baseball, football, and soccer.

LED stadium lights are incredibly bright, most commonly found in 500, 1000, or 1200 watts. For comparison’s sake, the light bulbs we typically use in our house lamps are 60 watts. Because of their brightness and wide coverage area, stadium lights should be mounted starting at 40 feet and higher. The angle at which they are mounted is also a factor, as different sports require different vantage points and are played at different times of the day. This is especially true when different sports make use of the same stadium space.

Other important considerations include weatherproofing, color, and glare. 

Indoor Arenas

Lighting for indoor sporting arenas is approached somewhat differently, as these spaces must be lit to be properly used. Indoor gymnasiums and courts don’t need such high-wattage, wide-coverage lighting, which opens up a much broader selection of LED lights. The right fit for an indoor athletic space depends on the amount of room, seating, natural light, and age of the building. There are many styles of gymnasium fixtures that can provide the desired ambiance. 

Field houses are now becoming popular athletic complex additions for k-12 schools in addition to universities and specialized LED lighting is also needed in these spaces. 

Additional considerations for lighting an indoor sports arena include efficiency, thermal management, and impact resistance. Though weatherproofing does not come into play, light color and glare should also be acknowledged in the selection process.

The Bottom Line

No matter your sports lighting needs, BCU Electric has the experience and the resources to deliver the perfect solution for your space. For more information about our sports lighting capabilities, contact our office today to arrange a consultation.