Project: Patro Eisden Maasmechelen – LED sports field lighting
Patro Eisden Maasmechelen replaced 16 old 2,500W floodlights with 16 LED sports field lights 1500W on the existing 16 m masts: at least 200 lux on the pitch, 40% less power and €5,168 saved per year.
At Belgian second-tier football club Patro Eisden Maasmechelen, 16 old 2,500W floodlights on a 100 × 60 m pitch were replaced by 16 LED sports field lights 1500W with a 40° beam, mounted on the existing masts at 16 m. The pitch now gets at least 200 lux everywhere, where the old installation averaged 170 lux, with 40% less power. Clightstore is the club's official lighting partner.
- Relighting of a 100 × 60 m football pitch at Patro Eisden Maasmechelen.
- 16 old floodlights of 2,500W replaced one for one by 16 LED sports field lights 1500W, 40°, on the existing masts at 16 m.
- Minimum 200 lux on the pitch, compared with an average of 170 lux before, planned with a DIALux light study.
- 24,000W connected load instead of 40,000W: 40% less power, 13,600 kWh and €5,168 less on electricity per year.
- Dimmable, so training sessions can run at lower output than matches.
- Luminaire investment of €15,593, half covered by subsidy: earned back in about a year and a half.
Project facts
| Club | Patro Eisden Maasmechelen, Belgian second-tier football |
| Location | Maasmechelen, Belgium |
| Pitch | Football pitch 100 × 60 m (6,000 m²) |
| Completed | 2026 |
| Old lighting | 16 × floodlight 2,500W |
| New lighting | 16 × LED sports field light 1500W, 40°, 5000K |
| Mounting | Existing masts at 16 m, on brackets |
| Control | Dimmable, training and match settings |
| Illuminance | Before 170 lux average, after minimum 200 lux |
| Planning | DIALux light study |
The starting point
Patro Eisden Maasmechelen plays in the second-highest division of Belgian football and trains several teams every evening. The pitch was lit by 16 old floodlights of 2,500W each on four masts.
Uneven and too little light
The old installation reached around 170 lux on average, with clear dark zones between the masts. Several lamps had failed, which made the light even more uneven, especially in the corners and along the touchlines.
High consumption, slow start
The 16 floodlights drew 40,000W together. Like all discharge lamps, they also needed several minutes to reach full output after switching on, and could not be dimmed for lighter training sessions.
The solution
Light study for the existing masts
Because the masts were kept, the DIALux light study started from the existing positions and the 16 m mounting height. It calculated the aiming angle of every floodlight so that the whole pitch would get at least 200 lux, with the light kept on the playing surface and away from the trees and neighbouring pitches. More on how much light a pitch needs in our guide How many lux does a football pitch need?
16 LED sports field lights 1500W, 40°
Each LED sports field light 1500W delivers 255,000 lumen at 170 lm/W. The narrow 40° beam is suited to the 16 m masts: it throws the light far onto the pitch with little spill outside it. Daylight white 5000K gives good contrast for players and cameras, and the floodlights are IP66 for permanent outdoor use. They are dimmable, so training can run at lower output and matches at full power. On planning beam angles and uniformity, see our guide on light distribution on sports fields, or all sports field lighting.
LED luminaire used in this project
Energy savings in figures
Every old floodlight was replaced by one LED sports field light. The table compares the old installation with the new one.
| Old | LED | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floodlights | 16 × 2,500W | 16 × 1500W LED | −1,000W per floodlight |
| Connected load | 40,000W | 24,000W | −40% |
| Load per m² | 6.7W/m² | 4.0W/m² | −2.7W/m² |
| Illuminance | 170 lux average | 200 lux minimum | More and more even light |
| Consumption per year | 34,000 kWh | 20,400 kWh | −13,600 kWh |
| Electricity cost per year | €12,920 | €7,752 | −€5,168 |
| CO2 per year | 5.1 t | 3.1 t | −2.0 t |
How we calculated this
- Old: 16 × 2,500W = 40,000W × 850 h = 34,000 kWh per year.
- LED: 16 × 1500W = 24,000W × 850 h = 20,400 kWh per year.
- Cost: 13,600 kWh × €0.38/kWh = €5,168 per year.
- CO2: 13,600 kWh × 0.15 kg/kWh = 2.0 t per year.
These figures assume full power at all times. Training sessions at dimmed output save more.
Investment and payback
At current webshop prices, the 16 LED sports field lights cost €15,593. Half of the investment was covered by a subsidy, leaving €7,796. With €5,168 lower electricity costs per year, that amount is earned back in about a year and a half. Installation is not included in that figure. A pitch is lit for far fewer hours than a hall, so the payback is longer than in industry, but still short compared with the 50,000-hour lifespan of the floodlights.
Calculate the savings for your pitch
The calculator below is pre-filled with the figures of this project. Change the values to see what LED would save on your own pitch.
Savings calculator
Pre-filled with this project: 16 floodlights of 2,500W replaced by 16 LED sports field lights of 1500W.
The result
- Even light on the whole pitch: at least 200 lux everywhere, without dark corners.
- 40% less power: 24,000W instead of 40,000W for the same 16 floodlights.
- Instant full light: no warm-up time before training or matches.
- Training and match settings: dimmable floodlights for lower output during training.
- Less spill: the 40° beam keeps the light on the pitch and away from the surroundings.
Another football project with the same floodlight: TSV Aubstadt.
Frequently asked questions
How many lux does a football pitch need?
EN 12193 sets around 75 lux for recreational football and training, 200 lux for regional competition and 500 lux for top-level competition. Television broadcasts need considerably more vertical light. At Patro Eisden the pitch now gets at least 200 lux.
Why a 40° beam on 16 m masts?
A narrow beam throws the light far across the pitch from the side masts and keeps it on the playing surface. A wider beam at this height would spread more light outside the pitch, onto trees, stands and neighbours.
Can the existing masts be reused?
Often yes, if the masts are in good condition and can carry the new floodlights. Because each old floodlight was replaced one for one here, the existing masts and positions could be kept. Have the mast load and wind area checked before you order.
Does LED pay off on a pitch that is only lit in the evening?
Yes, even with only around 850 hours a year. Here the investment after subsidy is earned back in about a year and a half, while the floodlights are rated for 50,000 hours. Dimming during training shortens the payback further.
Is there a subsidy for LED sports field lighting?
That depends on the country, region and club. On this project half of the luminaire investment was covered by a subsidy. We tell you which schemes apply to your club and supply the technical data needed for the application.
Can you make a free light plan for our pitch?
Yes. Send us the pitch size, the mast positions and heights, and the level you play at. We make a free DIALux light study and send a non-binding quote at direct-import prices.
Send us the pitch size and mast positions. We prepare a free DIALux light plan and a non-binding quote at direct-import prices, 2 to 4 times below comparable branded floodlights. Delivery throughout the EU, up to 5 years' warranty.
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