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All lux requirements for football pitches to DIN EN 12193, DFB, UEFA and FIFA – with GR value, uniformity, ROI calculator and funding guidance.
A football pitch requires between 75 lux (recreational training) and 2,500 lux (FIFA world-class with TV broadcast) depending on its use. The governing standard is DIN EN 12193:2019-07, supplemented by the licensing conditions of the DFB, UEFA and FIFA. Planning the wrong illuminance class risks licence withdrawal, glare problems and unnecessarily high operating costs.
DIN EN 12193:2019-07 is the binding European standard for the lighting of sports facilities. It distinguishes three illuminance classes and sets minimum values for each class covering mean horizontal illuminance (Eh,av), the uniformity coefficient (Uo) and the glare rating (GR).
For competition levels above the DIN standard, the licensing conditions of the associations additionally apply. These are not contained in the standard but are legally binding for match operations.
| Class / Level | Typical use | Eh,av (lux) | Uniformity Uo | GR (max.) | CRI / Ra (min.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIN Class III | Recreational, school, training | 75 | ≥ 0.5 | 55 | 20 |
| DIN Class II | District/county league, regional match play | 200 | ≥ 0.6 | 50 | 20 |
| DIN Class I | National / international (amateur level) | 500 | ≥ 0.7 | 50 | 65 |
| DFB 3rd Division | Professional play, licence required | 1,200 | ≥ 0.7 | 50 | 65 |
| DFB Bundesliga | Professional play, licence required | 1,400 | ≥ 0.7 | 50 | 65 |
| UEFA competitions | Europa League, Champions League | 1,500 (HDTV: 2,000) | ≥ 0.7 | 50 | 65 |
| FIFA world-class | World Cup, Olympics, 4K TV production | 2,500 | ≥ 0.7 | 50 | 80 |
For most club and municipal projects in Germany, Classes II and III as well as the DFB range up to 1,200 lux are relevant. A complete overview of all lux reference values for various applications can be found in our guide How many lux do you need?.
The value Uo describes the ratio of the minimum to the mean illuminance across the playing surface. A Uo of 0.6 means the darkest point on the pitch has at least 60 % of the mean illuminance. Poor uniformity creates bright patches and dark zones – a safety issue for players and referees, and a technical exclusion criterion for TV cameras.
Typical planning errors arise when too few luminaires are used on too few masts. A DIALux simulation demonstrates during the planning phase whether Uo will be met.
The GR value (Glare Rating) assesses the glare effect of exterior lighting installations to CIE 112. The scale runs from 10 (virtually no glare) to 90 (intolerable glare). DIN EN 12193 prescribes GR ≤ 50 for football – a value that is quickly exceeded with incorrectly aimed or too-low-mounted luminaires.
The key factors for a low GR value are: sufficient mounting height, asymmetric light distribution of the luminaires and correct aiming angles. Luminaires with narrow beam angles (20°–40°) on tall masts achieve significantly better GR values than wide-beam luminaires on low masts.
For TV broadcasts, not only horizontal but also vertical illuminance is critical. Cameras require sufficient light on vertical surfaces – that is, on players, balls and goals. UEFA and FIFA prescribe minimum values for Ev for broadcast installations, which must be demonstrated separately in the DIALux light planning.
Modern LED sports floodlights achieve 160–180 lm/W. Older HQI luminaires deliver 80–100 lm/W. This means that for the same light output you need approximately half the connected load with LED. For a club pitch at Class II (200 lux), the installed load is reduced from a typical 8 × 2,000W (HQI) to 8 × 400W (LED) – at equal or better light quality. Further reading on efficiency is available in our guide Lumens vs. lumens per watt.
For outdoor installations, a minimum of IP65 to IEC 60529 is required; for exposed locations subject to spray water or pressure washing, IP66 is recommended. The IK rating should be at least IK08 to withstand mechanical impacts from balls or maintenance work. Detailed explanations are available in our guides on IP ratings and IK ratings.
For match play and TV broadcasts, 5,000K (daylight white) is recommended – cameras require a neutral colour rendering. For training only, 4,000K (neutral white) is sufficient. The CRI value (Ra) should be at least 65 from Class I upwards; for TV productions Ra ≥ 80 is required. Further reading on choosing colour temperature is available in our guide LED colour temperature.
Look for L80 values of at least 50,000 operating hours – at 500 hours per year this equates to a calculated service life of 100 years; the L80 value is the practically relevant figure that reputable manufacturers publish for high-performance luminaires. A manufacturer's warranty of at least 5 years is frequently required for tenders and funding applications.
| Criterion | HQI / metal halide | LED (current) | Recommendation for football |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luminous efficacy | 80–100 lm/W | 160–180 lm/W | ≥ 160 lm/W |
| Service life | 6,000–15,000 h | 50,000–100,000 h | L80 ≥ 50,000 h |
| Start-up time | 3–5 minutes | Instant | Instant (required for TV) |
| Dimmability | Not possible | 0–10V, DALI, MOSO | DALI for professional installations |
| IP rating | IP65 | IP65–IP67 | Minimum IP66 |
| Maintenance costs | High (lamp replacement) | Minimal | LED clearly superior |
| Electricity costs/year* | approx. 1,760 € | approx. 352 € | Saving: approx. 1,408 €/year |
*Example: 8 luminaires, 500 operating hours/year, electricity price 0.22 €/kWh; HQI 8 × 2,000W, LED 8 × 400W. Calculation: HQI 8 × 2.0 kW × 500 h × 0.22 € = 1,760 €; LED 8 × 0.4 kW × 500 h × 0.22 € = 352 €.
Our LED sports field lighting and the specialist football pitch lighting range include luminaires for all classes – from club pitches to licensed stadiums.
LED floodlights for football pitches at Class II and III – 400W, IP66, 5-year warranty:
The mounting height of the luminaires is the single most important factor for the GR value and uniformity. DIN EN 12193 recommends a minimum of 16 m for training installations and 18–20 m for competition installations. Lower masts force steeper beam angles, which increases glare and reduces uniformity.
Typical configurations for a standard pitch (105 × 68 m):
From a mast height of 12 m, DIN 4131 (steel antenna structures) applies. For existing masts, a structural stability assessment by an approved inspection engineer must be obtained before retrofitting to LED. Although LED luminaires are lighter than HQI fittings, the altered wind-load surfaces resulting from new housing geometries can affect structural integrity.
Important safety notice: All connection and installation work on 230V/400V systems may only be carried out by approved qualified electricians (DIN VDE 0100, DGUV Regulation 3, 5 safety rules). This applies in particular to work on floodlight masts, which additionally requires fall protection measures.
Starting situation: 8 HQI luminaires at 2,000W each, 500 operating hours/year, electricity price 0.22 €/kWh.
Starting situation: 16 HQI luminaires at 2,000W each, 600 operating hours/year, electricity price 0.22 €/kWh.
We will produce a detailed calculation for your project free of charge using DIALux. Further reading on the methodology is available in our guide Calculating LED payback period.
LED floodlights for professional stadiums and Class I installations – 1,500W, DALI/MOSO, Philips driver:
The Municipal Directive of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) funds LED retrofits in municipal sports facilities at 25–40 % of eligible investment costs. Financially disadvantaged municipalities can receive up to 55 %. Applications are submitted to the Projektträger Jülich (PtJ) before construction begins – retrospective applications are excluded.
Most German federal states offer supplementary investment grants for sports facilities through their state sports federations (LSB). These can be combined with the Municipal Directive. In favourable combinations, total funding rates of up to 80 % are achievable.
| Check point | Done |
|---|---|
| Illuminance class determined in accordance with DIN EN 12193 and association requirements | |
| DIALux simulation commissioned with verification of Eh,av, Uo and GR | |
| Funding application (Municipal Directive + LSB) submitted before construction begins | |
| Structural assessment for existing masts obtained (DIN 4131) | |
| IP rating ≥ IP66 specified for all exterior luminaires | |
| CRI/Ra requirement per class included in tender specification | |
| Dimming protocol (DALI/0–10V) and control concept defined | |
| Qualified electrical contractor engaged for installation and connection | |
| Warranty period ≥ 5 years secured contractually | |
| Acceptance protocol with lux measurement after commissioning planned |
For other sports you will find specialist guides in our categories tennis court lighting, basketball court lighting and padel court lighting. General principles of light distribution on sports fields are explained in our guide Light distribution on sports fields.
For pure training use without match play, 75 lux to illuminance Class III of DIN EN 12193 is sufficient. As soon as league matches are played on the pitch, at least Class II with 200 lux is required. It is advisable to plan directly to Class II in order to avoid costly upgrades later.
District and county leagues generally fall under illuminance Class II of DIN EN 12193 with 200 lux mean horizontal illuminance and a uniformity coefficient Uo ≥ 0.6. Additionally check the current requirements of your regional association, as these may deviate from the DIN standard.
The GR value (Glare Rating) assesses the glare effect of exterior lighting installations to CIE 112. The scale runs from 10 (no glare) to 90 (intolerable glare). DIN EN 12193 prescribes GR ≤ 50 for football. An excessively high GR value impairs players, can lead to accidents and is a ground for exclusion at association inspections.
In principle yes – but only after a structural stability assessment by an approved inspection engineer. New LED luminaires have different wind-load surfaces from the original HQI fittings. For masts of 12 m or more, DIN 4131 applies. Existing masts from the 1980s and 1990s frequently no longer meet the current state of the art.
Yes. Through the BMWK Municipal Directive, 25–55 % of eligible costs are fundable. In combination with state sports federation programmes, total funding rates of up to 80 % are achievable. The key point: the funding application must be submitted before construction begins and before contracts are signed with suppliers.
Without funding, the payback period for a Class II club pitch is typically 13–20 years. With 40 % funding this period shortens to 8–12 years, and with 60 % funding to 5–7 years. Saved maintenance costs from the elimination of lamp replacements are additional. Our guide Calculating LED payback period explains the methodology in detail.
Horizontal illuminance (Eh) measures the light on the playing surface – relevant for players and referees. Vertical illuminance (Ev) measures the light on vertical surfaces – relevant for TV cameras filming players, balls and goals. For broadcast installations, UEFA and FIFA prescribe minimum values for Ev that must be demonstrated separately in the DIALux light planning.
DIN EN 12193 recommends a minimum mounting height of 16 m for training installations and 18–20 m for competition installations. Taller masts allow shallower beam angles, better uniformity and lower GR values. From a mast height of 12 m, DIN 4131 applies and a structural stability assessment must be obtained.
Clightstore will produce a complete DIALux light planning free of charge, with verification of lux values, uniformity Uo and GR value – as a basis for funding applications and association inspections. EU-wide delivery in 2–5 working days, up to 5 years' warranty.
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