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admin 01 Sep 2026
Good outdoor sports lighting will ensure players can see the game clearly, without being distracted or uncomfortable due to glare. Poorly positioned, mounted or angled floodlights can cause glare in players’ line of sight, obstructing their view of the ball and other players.
Sports lighting glare control is, therefore, an important consideration for safe and effective play. From mounting heights and beam angles to shielding and placement, there are a number of factors that contribute to glare. In this blog, we’ll explore what you need to know about glare in outdoor sports lighting and why it’s an important consideration for facilities.
Sports lighting glare is caused by excessively bright light sources within the field of view. This can occur on a playing field or court when players are looking up at a floodlight, for instance, while watching the ball or other players.
Sources of glare in outdoor sports lighting can include:
While brightness is an important aspect of outdoor sports lighting, increasing the output of your lights is not always the answer to poor lighting or visibility. The aim of good sports lighting is to provide the correct amount of light to the playing area while controlling where that light falls.
Sports lighting glare can be distracting to players, making it difficult to see and follow the ball. Likewise, the spectators and officials watching the game can also be affected by glare. It can also affect nearby residences if excessive light falls over surrounding areas.
Good sports lighting glare control is a balance between the amount of light provided, the uniformity of that light over the playing area, and the visual comfort of those viewing the game. In essence, good glare control is delivering the right amount of light where it is needed.
The location of your floodlights has a significant effect on glare. The columns are to be placed at suitable distances from the playing place, according to the game or sport being played, and to give the degree of illumination desired. Mounting heights and angles also affect where the light is aimed, to ensure it is on the right area and not shining directly into a player’s eyes.
Mounting heights affect both the spread of the light beam and the angle at which players see the light source. If a fixture is too low, it can be right in a player’s line of sight, causing glare. Increasing the mounting height can help direct the beam downwards onto the playing area at a better angle.
The beam angle of your sports lighting determines the amount of light thrown onto the playing area. A narrowly focused beam will provide a brighter centre, while a widespread one will ensure good overall lighting but may cause glare if it falls on unwanted surfaces or areas.
More specifically, tight optics can be used to control where the light beam falls while minimizing the amount of light that spills beyond the desired area or into players’ line of sight.
Shields can be used to prevent players from seeing the most direct light from a luminaire, which helps reduce glare. Shields or other glare-reducing accessories can limit the amount of light leaving the luminaire at unwanted angles while still allowing the light to be directed towards the playing surface.
SES Lighting can assist you in considering the key elements of glare-free sports lighting, including the positioning, mounting, shielding, and optics of your facility’s lights. By working with an expert, you can develop a solution that improves visibility for your players, officials, and spectators while reducing discomfort due to glare.
Contact SES Lighting about your LED sports lighting project to learn more about the glare control solutions that can benefit your outdoor sports facility.
Whether you are looking to improve netball lighting glare control or planning lighting upgrade your tennis court, contact SES Lighting to work with an expert.