Learn more about benefits of LED Lighting for Pickleball and the lighting requirements for indoor pickleball play
Pickleball is a sports sensation quickly sweeping the nation. Similar to tennis, badminton, and racquetball, pickleball is attracting players of all ages to its courts. Pickleball courts are being built at private clubs, country clubs, city parks, community centers, YMCAs and more. As more people discover pickleball, pickleball facilities are growing in number too. According to the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA), “the number of places to play has more than doubled since 2010.”
With the growth of pickleball, requirements and standardization had to be established for building courts. The USAPA dictates the official rules of the game and court dimensions. Pickleball courts are rectangular and look similar tennis courts. The standard dimensions of a pickleball court are:
Singles: 20ft x 44ft
Doubles: 30ft x 60ft (34ft x 64ft recommended).
Pickleball courts standards require illumination that delivers an average of 30 foot candles (fc), and a max/min ratio of 2.0 or less*. Mounting light fixtures about 20 feet above the courts and in a manner that ensure even distribution across the playing area is critical. This enables pickleball players to see the ball when it goes up into a high arc. Mounting the fixtures too low to the ground would cause the ball to disappear when it goes above the lights and reappear someplace else as it returns to the court.
Sports Interiors has worked with a vast array of pickleball facilities where some of those required a direct lighting application due to the nature of the ceiling while with others we’ve applied our LED System indirectly along with our reflective Liner System. Ideally, an indirect lighting application, when applied correctly, can eliminate any issues with possible glare that a direct lighting application presents.
(below is a photo of a pickleball facility highlighting the Sports Interiors LED Lighting and Liner System)
When it comes to pickleball facilities and lighting, it’s important to understand what you’re purchasing. Sports Interiors is here to help. We want to make sure your pickleball facility creates the playing experience you envisioned.
* A max/min ratio is the highest area of light on the court divided by the lowest area of light on the court. It is a measure of light distribution to ensure consistency in light levels. While other sports typically set the maximum max/min ratio at 3.0, most other sports are played on a larger field or court. Pickleball has a max/min ratio of 2.0. A 2.0 max/min ratio is extremely even light which enhances visibility. The ball will not be obscured by a dark area and players eyes will not need to adjust to varying light levels.
