Lighting a padel court to FFT standards: lux, uniformity and structural constraints

Lighting a padel court follows the specifications of the French Tennis Federation, which sets an illuminance level and a uniformity to be respected for approval. But padel adds specific constraints: glass walls that generate reflections, a reduced structure that allows only vertical columns, and a mandatory clear height. This article details the FFT requirements and how to design high-performance LED lighting for padel.

FFT illuminance level for padel

According to the FFT specifications for padel courts, the minimum illuminance level is 300 lux to be maintained, indoors as well as outdoors. To keep this level durably, it is recommended to obtain 350 to 400 lux when the system is delivered, because the flux degrades over time. Average illuminance is calculated as the arithmetic mean of 13 measurement points distributed over the playing surface (17 points in the case of a court with play-out areas).

Uniformity: the most important criterion for comfort

The FFT specifications require a uniformity coefficient (Emin/Emoy, or U0) greater than or equal to 0.5, with a recommended value greater than or equal to 0.7. On a surface as small and enclosed as a padel court, uniformity is decisive for playing comfort: the ball, which is fast and often played close to the glass, must remain perfectly readable in every corner. Aiming for the recommended 0.7 rather than the minimum 0.5 clearly improves perceived quality and limits shadow areas near the walls.

Structural and glass constraints

The padel court imposes strict layout rules. Above the central area, the structure allows only vertical lighting columns: no supporting bar must hold them, and neither the floodlights nor the columns may be located inside the playing area. The recommended clear height of 7 metres over the central area determines the installation height of the luminaires.

The tempered or laminated glass walls are the other major specific feature. They reflect light: poorly aimed lighting creates reflections on the glass that hinder the perception of the ball and the game. Luminaires with controlled optics are therefore needed, aimed to light the playing surface without projecting direct flux towards the glass or into the players' eyes. Outdoors, a north/south orientation of the long axis of the court is also recommended to avoid glare from the rising and setting sun.

Anti-glare and reflections: the priority for padel

Padel combines two sources of visual discomfort: direct glare from the sources and reflections on the glass. Controlling both requires anti-glare optics, sufficient installation height and carefully studied positioning of the vertical columns. Control of discomfort glare (UGR) and disability glare is a parameter to be validated by photometry; we cover it in depth in our article on UGR and glare in sports lighting.

Why LED for a padel court

LED lighting is now the reference solution for padel: high luminous efficacy (lm/W) that reduces installed power on a small number of vertical columns, instant start, a long lifetime that limits work at height, and control suited to the long opening hours of padel centres. Dedicated optics make it possible to cover the 200 m² of the court evenly while limiting reflections and glare. Discover our solutions in the indoor tennis and padel and outdoor tennis and padel ranges, as well as the performance of the GALAXY HP 170 lm/W luminaire.

Padel and tennis share a common federation framework: see also our recommendations for lighting an outdoor tennis court and lighting an indoor tennis hall.

Maintenance factor and durability

The 300 lux of the FFT specifications is a level to be maintained, not an acceptance value. The flux of luminaires decreases over time, and soiling (dust, sea spray outdoors) accentuates the loss. Hence the recommendation to obtain 350 to 400 lux on delivery, so as to keep the required threshold durably. On a padel court, as access to luminaires at height is awkward, it is wise to favour products with a long useful life (L80, L70) and good thermal management, which space out maintenance interventions and limit initial oversizing. Outdoors, a high ingress protection rating against water and dust, as well as good mechanical strength, are essential.

Covering the corners and the back of the court evenly

The specific feature of padel is that play continues along and at the foot of the glass walls, after a bounce. The corners and the back of the court, naturally harder to light from central columns, must nevertheless remain perfectly readable. This is the whole challenge of uniformity: a correct average illuminance guarantees nothing if the corners fall below the threshold. The choice of optics, their aiming and the positioning of the vertical columns are calculated so that the light reaches these areas without striking the glass directly. Aiming for the recommended uniformity of 0.7 rather than the minimum of 0.5 makes all the difference here to the perceived quality of play.

Control and savings for padel centres

Padel centres operate over long hours, often in the evening and at weekends, with courts occupied variably. Controlling the LED lighting is particularly profitable there: switching on by booking so that only occupied courts are lit, dimming by use, time programming and instant switch-off. Combined with the high luminous efficacy of the luminaires (lm/W), it greatly reduces consumption while respecting the 300 lux to be maintained. For commercial facilities that are sensitive to their operating costs, this is a first-rate economic argument.

FAQ

How many lux for a padel court to FFT standards?

The FFT specifications require 300 lux to be maintained, indoors as well as outdoors. It is recommended to obtain 350 to 400 lux when the system is delivered to keep this level over time. Illuminance is measured at 13 points (17 for a court with play-out areas).

What illuminance uniformity should be aimed for?

The uniformity coefficient (Emin/Emoy) must be greater than or equal to 0.5, with a recommended value greater than or equal to 0.7. Aiming for 0.7 clearly improves playing comfort and limits dark areas near the glass.

Where should the luminaires be installed on a padel court?

Above the central area, the structure allows only vertical lighting columns, without supporting bars, and outside the playing area. The recommended clear height is 7 metres. The luminaires must be aimed so as not to create reflections on the glass walls.

How can reflections on the glass be limited?

By choosing controlled optics aimed at the playing surface and not at the glass, by installing the luminaires at a sufficient height and, outdoors, by orienting the long axis of the court north/south. A photometric study makes it possible to validate the absence of disturbing reflections and glare.

Need a photometric study?

The audit and the photometric study are the work of a lighting design office: we recommend the expertise of the Luminance Consulting agency, the lighting design office that contributes to developing our ranges of luminaires based on an in-depth analysis of the needs of the most demanding customers. Luminance carries out the audit of your installation, the DIALux study and the compliance check. Rexylum, for its part, designs and supplies the prescribed luminaires and lighting solutions: for the choice of equipment, contact us.