Lighting in basketball courts is not only about visibility — it’s also a key factor for game quality and player safety. A well-designed lighting system ensures players can clearly see the ball and movements, while spectators enjoy comfortable visibility throughout the game. For this reason, lighting design must consider the type of court, intended use, and international standards when determining fixture power, beam angle, and layout.
Lighting Standards and Illuminance Levels
The lighting level for basketball courts is typically measured in lux, which indicates the amount of light falling on a surface.
- Training courts: 200–300 lux
- Amateur game courts: 500–750 lux
- Professional and tournament courts: 1,000 lux or higher is recommended
Fixtures are generally mounted on lighting poles or attached to roof trusses in indoor facilities. The lights should be positioned at specific beam angles to avoid glare and shadow formation. This setup ensures that players aren’t dazzled and that the ball’s trajectory remains clearly visible from all angles.
Whether the court is indoor or outdoor directly affects the number of luminaires and mounting configuration. Outdoor courts require fixtures with high IP-rated weather resistance and anti-corrosion protection.
Floor and Light Interaction
The floor color, reflectivity, and material significantly influence how light spreads across the court. Overly glossy surfaces can create unwanted glare. Therefore, matte-finished wooden or polyurethane sports floors that absorb light provide better visual comfort and consistency.
For more details about surface materials, visit our sports flooring page.
Additionally, the court markings should have high contrast relative to the floor color, and LED floodlights should ensure even horizontal and vertical illumination across all play zones.
Lighting Poles, Fixture Selection, and Hoop Area
Lighting poles on outdoor basketball courts are typically 8–12 meters (26–39 ft) in height. Fixtures are arranged in a cross-lighting layout to minimize shadows and ensure uniform brightness.
For professional installations, it’s important that the backboard and hoop zones are properly illuminated. This enhances shooting accuracy and allows better visibility of the ball’s motion around the rim.
The lighting design should always integrate with the backboard and support structure. For details on professional basketball goal systems, see our basketball hoop page.
Comprehensive information on court dimensions, flooring, and equipment compatibility is also available on our basketball courts page.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many floodlights are required for a basketball court?
A medium-sized outdoor court typically requires 6–8 LED floodlights, depending on pole height, lumen output, and beam distribution.
2. What type of lighting should be used?
Traditional metal-halide fixtures have largely been replaced by LED floodlights, which offer higher energy efficiency, longer lifespan, and more uniform light distribution.
3. For indoor courts, should lighting come from the ceiling or sides?
In enclosed sports halls, a symmetrical ceiling-mounted layout is preferred for balanced light levels. Side-wall lighting can be added as supplementary illumination, especially in high-ceiling facilities.