Padel court lighting requirements
The lux levels the LTA and SAPCA set for padel courts in the UK, the heights and pole positions in the FIP rules, how courts are usually lit, what LED lighting draws and costs to run, and how to keep light off the neighbours.
Padel court lighting levels in the UK
The LTA guidance note and the SAPCA code give the same minimum performance, measured in the horizontal plane at ground level (Z = 0), for outdoor and indoor courts:
| Use | Average illuminance (Eav) | Uniformity |
|---|---|---|
| National and international competition | 500 lux | 0.7 |
| Regional competition, school and recreational use, indoor courts | 300 lux | 0.5 |
- Calculation grid: 1.0 × 1.0 m or finer over the playing area, centred on the net line, so there are no dark or over-lit patches; 5 m at most over the wider area affected by the lights.
- Maintenance factor: design for 10 % over-performance at the start (a 0.9 maintenance factor).
- Vertical light: since play uses the walls, planning authorities may ask for vertical calculations too.
- Television: the FIP asks for at least 1,000 lux of vertical illumination for broadcasts and filming, more as the distance to the camera grows.
Sources: LTA Padel, Padel Court Construction Guidance Note (2025), Floodlighting; SAPCA, The SAPCA Code of Practice for the Construction of Padel Courts (September 2025), clauses 3.3 and 3.4; International Padel Federation (FIP), Rules of Padel, review in force from 1 January 2026, Illumination.
Padel court lighting height
- 6 m minimum. Under the FIP rules, the underside of the light projectors at least 6 m (19 ft 8 in) above the ground, and the 6 m clear height over the court must be free of lights. SAPCA and the LTA ask for every fitting to leave a 6.0 m clear space above the playing area.
- 8 m for new facilities. The FIP suggests 8 m (26 ft 3 in) to the underside of the lights in new facilities when they are within the vertical projection of the court walls; lights outside the court walls can be at other heights.
- Poles outside the court. Light poles must be outside the court; if they stand in the safety area, out-of-court play is not allowed.
- Uniform, without glare. The light must be uniform and placed so it does not make it hard for players, umpires or spectators to see.
Sources: International Padel Federation (FIP), Rules of Padel, Dimensions and Illumination; SAPCA code, clauses 2.2 and 3.1; LTA guidance note. Clear height for the whole court: padel court dimensions.
Padel court lighting design: where the lights go
SAPCA describes three ways to carry the luminaires, all side-lit:
| Method | How |
|---|---|
| Extended enclosure posts | The posts of the enclosure are extended and a bracket at the top carries one or two luminaires, 4 m from the back wall along the sides. SAPCA’s preferred option: the cabling runs inside the posts and there are no extra columns in the walkways between courts. |
| Stand-alone columns | Floodlight columns outside the enclosure, also 4 m from the back wall along the sides, as on tennis courts. |
| The roof structure | On covered courts, luminaires fixed to the roof structure at the 6 m eaves height, 4 m from the back wall above the sides, depending on the structure and its trusses. |
The design should be produced with dedicated lighting software by someone with experience of sports lighting and of local planning policy, and the contractor should supply a lighting data pack showing that it meets the levels above. On completion, the client can ask for the installation to be tested against the design.
LED padel court lighting: power and running cost
- Supply: LED court lighting needs a single-phase supply, typically 1.2 to 2.4 kW per court; several courts may need three-phase. Ideally the courts sit close to the supply.
- Running cost: the LTA puts LED lights at about £1 per court per hour, depending on the configuration and lamps.
- The fitting matters: SAPCA warns that low-cost, low-wattage LED fittings often have symmetrical optics designed for amenity areas, not sport, which is why a proper calculation grid is needed.
- Standards: fittings made to the relevant British and European standards with CE marking; if the lighting comes in a kit with the enclosure, the electrical components and a compliant design should be detailed before the order.
Sources: SAPCA, The SAPCA Code of Practice for the Construction of Padel Courts, clauses 2.1.5, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4 and 3.5; LTA Padel, Padel Court Construction Guidance Note, Operational considerations and example specification.
Light spill, neighbours and planning
SAPCA says the impact of the lighting must be considered in every padel court planning application, and that leaving the information out risks a refusal. What the UK guidance asks for:
- A lighting design with the application. SAPCA says a detailed lighting design will always be required for a planning application, and the lighting posts and fittings at 6 m are among the elements that need consent.
- Lux and candela next to homes. Near dwellings, calculations of both, in line with the ILP Guidance Notes for the Reduction of Obtrusive Light 2021.
- Tilt angles. The LTA asks designers to show the tilt of the fittings so possible glare for neighbouring owners can be judged.
- Homes within 50 m. The LTA says noise and light surveys by specialist consultants are then likely to be required.
For a court at home that is usually the case: see padel court at home. For clubs: padel court planning permission.
Sources: SAPCA, The SAPCA Code of Practice for the Construction of Padel Courts, clauses 1.1.2, 2.1.2 and 3.4; LTA Padel, Padel Court Construction Guidance Note, Floodlighting and Planning consent.
Looking after the lights
SAPCA asks for the fittings to be cleaned every year and their aim checked every year, with the mounting screws retightened, and again after storms; if they are realigned, the system should be retested against the design. The LTA’s suggested sinking fund of £1,500 per court per year covers lamp and column replacement as well as the surface.
Frequently asked questions
What are the lighting requirements for a padel court in the UK?
The LTA and SAPCA set a minimum average of 300 lux at ground level with 0.5 uniformity for regional competition, school, recreational use and indoor courts, and 500 lux with 0.7 uniformity for national and international competition. All fittings must leave at least 6 m of clear space above the playing area.
How many lux does a padel court need?
For club and recreational play, 300 lux average (Eav) at ground level with 0.5 uniformity; for national and international competition, 500 lux with 0.7 uniformity (LTA and SAPCA). For television, the FIP asks for at least 1,000 lux of vertical illumination.
How high should padel court lights be?
Under the FIP rules, the underside of the lights at least 6 m (19 ft 8 in) above the ground; for new facilities, 8 m (26 ft 3 in) is suggested when the lights are within the court. Lights outside the court walls can be at other heights.
Where do the lights go on a padel court?
Usually on the enclosure posts, extended above the walls, or on separate columns outside the court, 4 m from the back wall along the sides (SAPCA). Under the FIP rules, light poles must be outside the court, and if they stand in the safety area out-of-court play is not allowed.
How much power do LED padel court lights use?
SAPCA puts the power at typically 1.2 to 2.4 kW per court on a single-phase supply; several courts may need three-phase. The LTA puts the running cost of LED lights at about £1 per court per hour, depending on the configuration and lamps.
Do padel court floodlights need planning permission?
In the SAPCA code, the lighting posts and fittings at 6 m above the court are among the elements that need planning consent, and a detailed lighting design will always be required for the application.
How do you stop padel court lights disturbing neighbours?
With a lighting design made with dedicated software that shows lux and candela next to homes, in line with the ILP Guidance Notes for the Reduction of Obtrusive Light 2021, and the tilt angles of the fittings so glare can be assessed. SAPCA notes that conditions near homes often dictate which luminaires can be used, to control spill and reduce glare.
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