Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK, blending elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis into a fast paced highly social game. As new courts appear across leisure centres, schools, and sports clubs, the demand for professional lighting design has never been higher.
Good lighting is essential for pickleball ensuring players can clearly see the ball, judge its speed and spin, and enjoy a comfortable playing experience both indoors and outdoors. Poor lighting can cause glare, uneven visibility, and even safety issues.
With the latest LED technology, facilities can now achieve exceptional light quality while reducing energy costs and maintenance requirements. In this guide, we’ll explore recommended lighting standards, lux levels, and the best LED options for pickleball courts, helping you create an efficient and enjoyable environment for every match.
Pickleball is a dynamic paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Played on a smaller court with a perforated ball and paddles, it offers fast rallies and engaging gameplay suitable for all ages and skill levels.
Originally developed in the United States, pickleball has rapidly gained popularity in the UK with new indoor and outdoor courts being built across sports centres, leisure parks, and private clubs. Its accessibility and social appeal have made it a favourite among both casual players and competitive athletes.
As participation grows, the importance of proper lighting design becomes increasingly clear. High quality LED lighting not only improves visibility and comfort but also ensures fair play and consistent performance during matches, training sessions, and tournaments.
Proper lighting levels are essential for maintaining visibility, comfort, and consistency during pickleball matches. Although there isn’t a sport specific British Standard for pickleball yet, EN 12193:2018 – Light and lighting for sports areas provides a reliable reference for similar racket sports such as tennis and padel.
To meet the needs of different playing levels, lighting is typically divided into three performance classes:
The table below outlines the recommended average maintained illuminance (lux), uniformity ratios, and whether each class applies to indoor or outdoor courts:
Meeting these levels ensures a balanced, glare-free lighting environment, allowing players to see the ball clearly and maintain focus throughout the game. Consistent illumination across the entire court surface also enhances safety and playing comfort.
Designing lighting for a pickleball court involves more than just meeting lux levels it’s about creating a consistent, comfortable and efficient environment that supports safe and enjoyable play. Below are the key factors to consider when specifying or installing LED lighting for pickleball courts:
Uniform illumination ensures there are no dark spots or overly bright areas on the court. This helps players maintain clear visibility of the ball’s flight and movement from every angle. A good target is a uniformity ratio (U₀) of 0.5 or higher, depending on the class level.
Excessive glare can reduce visibility and cause discomfort during play. High quality LED optics and careful positioning of fittings minimise direct glare and reflections, maintaining player comfort and safety.
For outdoor pickleball courts, lighting is typically mounted 6–8 metres above ground level, while indoor courts may vary depending on ceiling height and structure. Correct mounting height and aiming angles ensure even light distribution and prevent spillage into surrounding areas.
Outdoor courts require luminaires with a suitable IP rating (Ingress Protection) for weather resistance — typically IP65 or higher. For impact protection, an IK rating of IK08 or above helps ensure durability against stray balls or physical contact.
A CRI of 80 or above provides accurate colour representation of the ball and surroundings. Meanwhile, a neutral white colour temperature (4000–5000K) offers a natural, balanced light suitable for both indoor and outdoor play.
Modern LED systems can integrate with smart control technologies, allowing facilities to adjust brightness, set timers, or control lights via Bluetooth or motion sensors. These features improve energy efficiency and make lighting management more convenient.
When selecting LED fittings for pickleball courts, the goal is to achieve the correct balance between performance, efficiency, and durability. Each installation — whether indoor or outdoor — will have different requirements depending on the layout, environment, and level of play.
LED fittings should provide precise optical control to deliver uniform light levels across the playing area. Narrow-beam optics are ideal for high mounting heights, while wider beam angles can be used where fixtures are mounted closer to the court.
Modern LEDs can deliver the required lux levels while consuming up to 50–70% less energy than traditional floodlights. This significantly reduces running costs and carbon emissions over time.
Outdoor installations should use IP65+ rated luminaires with robust housings to protect against rain, dust, and impacts. Corrosion-resistant materials and long-life drivers further improve reliability and reduce maintenance.
Advanced control systems, such as Bluetooth dimming or motion sensors, allow flexible operation. Lighting levels can be adjusted for different events or automatically reduced when courts are not in use — helping save energy without compromising quality.
Every pickleball facility has unique challenges. At Nexis Lighting, we offer bespoke lighting designs tailored to your court layout, mounting structure, and compliance requirements — ensuring both visual comfort and energy efficiency.
At Nexis Lighting, we take a technical and tailored approach to every sports lighting project. For pickleball courts, our designs focus on achieving the ideal balance between illumination quality, energy efficiency, and visual comfort.
Using lighting design software, our engineers simulate each project to ensure compliance with EN 12193:2018 standards. This allows us to accurately model light levels, uniformity, and glare control before installation guaranteeing consistent performance and a high quality playing environment.
Whether it’s a single court or a multi-court complex, we carefully consider mounting positions, aiming angles, and surrounding light spill to deliver the best possible results. Our LED solutions are engineered for long life and minimal maintenance, offering exceptional reliability for both indoor and outdoor courts.
By combining technical expertise with innovative LED technology, Nexis provides lighting solutions that enhance player experience while reducing energy consumption and running costs.
With pickleball’s rapid growth across the UK, providing the right lighting is key to ensuring safe, enjoyable, and competitive play. High-quality LED lighting enhances visibility, reduces glare, and creates an inviting environment for players of all levels — all while keeping energy costs low.
Whether you’re planning a new facility or upgrading existing fittings, investing in a professional lighting design will make a lasting difference in both performance and sustainability.
For expert guidance, tailored designs, or technical advice, contact Nexis Lighting at sales@nexislighting.co.uk
For recreational or training use, lighting should achieve around 200 lux (Class III). Club or regional play typically requires 300 lux (Class II), while competitive or televised matches may need 500 lux (Class I), as outlined in EN 12193:2018
Yes. LED lighting performs exceptionally well in both environments. Indoor courts benefit from consistent light and low glare, while outdoor courts require weather-resistant fittings with a minimum IP65 rating for durability and protection against moisture.
For outdoor installations, lights are typically mounted between 6 and 8 metres to ensure uniform illumination and minimise glare. Indoor installations depend on the building structure, but fittings should always be positioned to prevent shadows or direct glare.
Uniform lighting ensures the entire court is evenly lit, preventing dark patches that can affect visibility or reaction times. This creates a safer, more enjoyable playing environment for all skill levels.
Yes, in many cases multi sport lighting designs can be optimised for both tennis and pickleball. However, due to pickleball’s smaller court size and different ball characteristics, fine-tuning the lighting angles and beam distribution will deliver the best performance.
Book your free site survey today and discover how LED lighting can save you money, enhance your space, and reduce your carbon footprint. Our experts will assess your needs and provide a tailored solution to brighten your space.
BOOK NOW
