Football pitch lighting to FFF standards

Bringing a stadium into compliance for night play requires mastering football pitch lighting to FFF standards. The French Football Federation classifies lighting installations into seven levels (E1 to E7) and sets, for each, precise targets for horizontal illuminance in lux, uniformity and glare limitation. This article details these requirements and the way a modern LED solution makes it possible to reach them durably, with controlled consumption.

The FFF lighting classification: seven levels E1 to E7

The FFF Regulations for the lighting of pitches and sports facilities (2021 edition, incorporating the NF EN 12193 standard) define seven classification levels for eleven-a-side football. Only installations that comply with the required level can host official night competitions. The level targeted depends on the club's sporting project and the level of competition played:

E1 and E2: the highest levels, television broadcasts and high requirements;
E3 and E4: good-level competitions, without major TV constraints;
E5, E6, E7: regional and departmental play and training.

The classification is granted by the Federal Commission for Pitches and Sports Facilities (CFTIS) on the basis of a photometric study submitted via the regional commission. Note that an LED source doubles the validity period of the classification compared with old metal halide lamps, one more argument in favour of switching to LED.

Horizontal illuminance levels in lux by class

Average horizontal illuminance (EhMoy), measured on the ground, is the central criterion. The regulations distinguish a value at commissioning and a value to be maintained over time (the degradation of luminous flux being included via the maintenance factor). Here are the reference values of the FFF regulations:

E1: 2300 lux at commissioning, 1840 lux to be maintained;
E2: 1250 lux at commissioning, 1000 lux to be maintained;
E3: 750 lux at commissioning, 600 lux to be maintained;
E4: 400 lux at commissioning, 320 lux to be maintained;
E5: 250 lux at commissioning, 200 lux to be maintained;
E6: 150 lux at commissioning, 120 lux to be maintained;
E7: 75 lux to be maintained.

Measurements are taken on a grid of 25 points for levels E4 to E7 and of 77 points for levels E1 to E3. For the latter, vertical illuminance (EvMoy) is also required to ensure good readability of the action for television cameras and those taking part in the game.

Uniformity: do not think only in average lux

A high average value is not enough: the light must also be distributed evenly over the playing area, without shadow areas or hot spots. The regulations impose two uniformity factors:

U1h (ratio EhMin/EhMax): ≥ 0.6 for E1, ≥ 0.5 for E2, ≥ 0.4 for E3;
U2h (uniformity EhMin/EhMoy, the "U0" in common usage): ≥ 0.7 for E1, ≥ 0.6 for E2, ≥ 0.4 for E3.

Uniformity depends directly on the choice of optics, the number of floodlights and their layout. It is one of the most difficult parameters to guarantee without serious photometry beforehand, and one of the reasons why a photometric study before purchase is essential.

Glare, CRI and colour temperature

To preserve the visual comfort of players, referees and spectators, the regulations cap the glare rating (Glare Rating, GR) at 50 for levels E1 to E5, on a scale from 0 to 100. Glare control involves the tilt of the floodlights (optical axis ≤ 70° from the vertical), anti-glare optics and careful layout. This subject, common to all pitches, is covered in depth in our dedicated article on UGR and glare in sports lighting.

On light quality, the colour rendering index (Ra or CRI) must be greater than 70 for levels E1 to E3 and greater than 60 for levels E4 to E7. Colour temperature must exceed 5000 kelvins (K), a cool white light that helps distinguish shirt colours and gives visual sharpness. Quality LEDs easily reach these values while offering high luminous efficacy, expressed in lumens per watt (lm/W).

Layout: side or perimeter columns

Outdoors, floodlights can never be suspended above the playing area. Two families of layout are allowed: side (on columns, gantries or stand roofs) and corner (generally four corner columns). The regulations set minimum distances and precise heights: the line of the lights must be at least 12 m from the touchline for E1, and the installation angle of the luminaires must be between 25° and 45° to the longitudinal axis. To limit glare for goalkeepers, placing sources within the zone 10° on either side of the goal lines is not recommended.

Why switch to LED for a football pitch

Compared with old metal halide floodlights, LED brings several decisive advantages for stadium lighting: instant switch-on and switch-off (useful for the backup power supply required for E1 to E3), luminous efficacy that can exceed 150 to 170 lm/W, more stable flux maintenance over time, and fine control (dimming, training/competition scenes). The classification period doubled by the FFF for LED sources reflects this increased reliability. You will find our suitable solutions in the outdoor football and rugby lighting range, and our high-efficacy linear luminaire GALAXY HP 170 lm/W illustrates the level of performance expected on this type of installation.

The principles developed here for football largely carry over to rugby, with their own specific features: see our recommendations for lighting a rugby pitch to FFR standards.

Maintenance factor and control of uses

The illuminance levels in the regulations are values to be maintained: that is why the FFF table distinguishes a value at commissioning and a value to be maintained, the difference corresponding to the maintenance factor. In practice, the power installed offers an initial margin that gradually declines to the required threshold before the next maintenance. The quality of the LEDs, the drivers and the thermal management determine how quickly this drift occurs; floodlights with a long useful life (L80, L70) limit oversizing and space out interventions on the columns.

Controlling the LED installation provides a final decisive lever. The same pitch hosts training sessions, matches and sometimes school use, which do not require the same illuminance. Dimming and scenes make it possible to adjust the light to actual use, reduce consumption and extend the life of the sources, while respecting the classification level during official competitions.

FAQ

What illuminance level is needed for an amateur club football pitch?

For regional and departmental play and training, levels E5 to E7 are generally targeted, that is, from 200 lux to 75 lux to be maintained depending on the classification. A club wishing to host higher-level competitions will need to aim for E4 (320 lux) or above. The exact level depends on the rules of the competition played.

What colour temperature does the FFF require?

The FFF regulations require a colour temperature above 5000 K and a colour rendering index (CRI) above 70 for levels E1 to E3, and above 60 for levels E4 to E7. A cool white light improves colour perception and the sharpness of the action.

Is LED lighting accepted by the FFF?

Yes. The regulations explicitly include LED technology and even grant it a classification period twice as long as for metal halide sources, because of its better flux stability. LED also makes it easier to meet the instant switch-on criterion required for the backup power supply of levels E1 to E3.

How can compliance with the standards be guaranteed before buying the floodlights?

By carrying out a photometric study (DIALux or Relux) that simulates the layout, calculates average illuminance, uniformity and glare, and checks compliance with the classification level targeted. It is this study that is submitted to the CFTIS for the classification of the installation.

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.