Lighting an indoor tennis hall to FFT standards: lux, linear lighting and anti-glare

Lighting an indoor tennis hall to FFT standards meets constraints different from those of an outdoor court: a higher illuminance level, management of reflections on the walls and roof, an often limited ceiling height, and a choice between floodlights and linear lighting. Linear LED lighting has become the reference solution for combining uniformity, visual comfort and low glare. This article reviews the subject.

FFT illuminance level indoors

For an indoor tennis court, the FFT sets an average illuminance level of 500 lux to be maintained, higher than the 300 lux required outdoors. To keep these 500 lux durably, it is recommended to obtain an average of at least 600 lux when the system is accepted, which then gradually declines. Higher competition levels may require more: the rules of the competition concerned should then be consulted.

Average illuminance is measured on a grid of points distributed over the playing area, and must be accompanied by sufficient uniformity: a uniformity coefficient (Emin/Emoy, or U0) greater than or equal to 0.7. Indoors, the average alone is not enough, because the back of the court and the corners tend to be less well lit.

Indoor specifics: reflections and ceiling height

In an enclosed space, light interacts with the surfaces. Light-coloured walls and ceiling return part of the flux and improve uniformity, but can also generate disturbing stray reflections if the luminaires are poorly chosen. The ceiling height, often constrained, makes it necessary to favour luminaires whose flux is controlled so as not to dazzle the player looking up during serves and lobs. This is precisely where linear lighting gains the advantage over point floodlights.

Linear lighting or floodlights?

Floodlights concentrate the flux and can create intense points of light, sources of direct glare at low heights. Linear LED lighting distributes the light along long continuous lines: it offers better uniformity, reduces contrasts and lowers perceived glare, while fitting easily under a roof structure. For an indoor tennis hall, linear lighting is therefore the preferred solution. High-efficacy linear LED luminaires, such as our GALAXY HP 170 lm/W, make it possible to reach the required 500 lux with high uniformity and controlled consumption. You will find all our solutions in the indoor tennis and padel range.

Colour temperature and colour rendering indoors

Beyond level and uniformity, the quality of light matters for comfort and performance. A neutral to cool white colour temperature (generally from 4000 to 5700 K) promotes visual alertness and the sharpness of the ball, without creating an overly clinical atmosphere. A high colour rendering index (CRI) faithfully reproduces the colours of the surface, the lines and the clothing, which improves the readability of play. Quality LEDs reach these values while maintaining high luminous efficacy, whereas old sources offered a less favourable compromise between rendering and consumption. Indoors, where artificial lighting is permanent, this choice of light quality has a direct impact on player comfort over time.

Controlling glare at the ceiling

Visual comfort indoors depends on limiting discomfort glare, assessed in particular by UGR. Diffusing optics, positioning the lines of light parallel to the direction of play and a suitable installation height reduce discomfort when the player looks up. This parameter, decisive for long-term comfort, is detailed in our article on UGR and glare in sports lighting.

Why linear LED for a tennis hall

Beyond uniformity and comfort, linear LED lighting brings high luminous efficacy (lm/W) that reduces installed power, a long lifetime that limits work at height, instant start and fine control (dimming, presence detection, training/competition scenes). Over long opening hours, these savings are significant. Photometry makes it possible to calculate the exact number of lines of light, their power and their spacing to guarantee 500 lux to be maintained with compliant uniformity.

For an outdoor court, the requirements differ: see our recommendations for lighting an outdoor tennis court. And for padel, see lighting a padel court to FFT standards.

Ceiling height: a sizing parameter

The height under the roof structure of an indoor tennis hall is rarely generous in relation to the area to be covered. Yet it determines the whole lighting project. A low height brings the sources closer to the players' field of view and increases the risk of glare during serves and lobs; it requires wide optics and closely spaced lines of light to maintain uniformity. A greater height makes uniformity and anti-glare easier, but requires more powerful luminaires. The photometric calculation takes this constraint into account to determine the number of lines, their power and their spacing needed to reach the 500 lux to be maintained without visual discomfort.

Maintenance factor and lifetime

As outdoors, the FFT 500 lux is a level to be maintained: power must therefore be installed that offers a margin at commissioning (of the order of 600 lux recommended at acceptance) to absorb the gradual degradation of the flux. Indoors, soiling is slower than outdoors, but the drift of LEDs and drivers must still be anticipated. Choosing luminaires with a long useful life (L80, L70) and good thermal management limits oversizing and spaces out work at height, which is particularly awkward under a roof structure. The flux stability of quality LEDs is one of their decisive advantages on this point.

Control and savings over long opening hours

Indoor tennis centres and clubs often operate over long opening hours. Controlling the LED lighting generates significant savings there: presence detection so that only occupied courts are lit, dimming by scene (training, competition, cleaning), time programming and feedback of information. Combined with the high luminous efficacy of the luminaires (lm/W), this control clearly reduces consumption compared with old solutions, without compromising compliance with the required 500 lux. It is a return-on-investment lever in its own right for a tennis hall.

FAQ

How many lux for an indoor tennis hall?

The FFT sets 500 lux to be maintained for an indoor court, against 300 lux outdoors. To keep this level over time, it is recommended to obtain an average of at least 600 lux when the system is accepted.

Should linear lighting or floodlights be preferred?

Linear LED lighting is generally preferable indoors: it offers better uniformity, reduces direct glare under a low ceiling and fits well into the roof structure. Floodlights, which concentrate the flux, are more prone to disturbing points of light.

How can reflections and glare at the ceiling be limited?

By choosing diffusing optics, aligning the lines of light with the direction of play and adapting the installation height. The limitation of discomfort glare (UGR) must be checked by a photometric study, taking into account the reflectances of the walls.

What uniformity must be respected indoors?

The uniformity coefficient (Emin/Emoy) must be greater than or equal to 0.7, as outdoors. Indoors, this requirement is made easier by reflections from light-coloured surfaces, provided the optics are controlled to avoid stray reflections.

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.