Designing Tennis & Pickleball Lighting for Competition Play
Competition court lighting is defined by where you can't put poles — never behind the baseline in a player's sightline — so the design relies on side-mounted poles, asymmetric optics, and tight uniformity to light fast play without blinding anyone. The constraint shapes everything: the geometry of court lighting is dictated by protecting the player's view down the court.
This reference covers the sightline rule, pole count and placement, and the uniformity competition demands.
The sightline rule
Players look down the court and upward for lobs and serves; fixtures placed in those sightlines cause disabling glare at the worst possible moment. So the rule is absolute: mount poles along the sides and aim light across the court with full-cutoff, asymmetric optics. Putting a pole behind the baseline — however convenient structurally — puts a bright source directly in the returner's eyeline.
Pole count and placement
A single court is lit with poles along each sideline (often two per side for tennis), and multi-court facilities share poles between adjacent courts to cut cost. Mounting heights of 18–25 ft balance coverage, uniformity, and glare; higher mounting improves uniformity and reduces glare angles, at slightly higher structural cost.
Uniformity for fast play
| Level | Uniformity target |
|---|---|
| Recreational | ~3:1 |
| Competition | ~2:1 or better |
Pickleball's fast, low volleys and tennis's pace demand even light — competition courts target tighter uniformity (around 2:1 or better) than recreational courts, because uneven light makes a fast ball seem to change speed across the court. Layout and optics, not just brightness, deliver it. Duvon's Freedom, ProCourt, and Patriot cover the range from recreational to competition.
Frequently asked questions
What defines competition court lighting?
Never placing poles behind the baseline — using side-mounted poles, full-cutoff asymmetric optics aimed across the court, and tight uniformity.
Why can't poles go behind the baseline?
Players look down the court and up for lobs and serves; fixtures there cause disabling glare. Poles go along the sides.
How many poles and how high?
Poles along each sideline (often two per side for tennis), 18–25 ft, with multi-court facilities sharing poles. Higher mounting improves uniformity.
What uniformity does competition require?
Around 2:1 or better — tighter than recreational — delivered by layout and optics, not just brightness.
Can one layout serve tennis and pickleball?
Yes — both use side-mounted poles and similar levels, so a shared-pole layout can meet each sport's footcandle and glare targets.
Request a free certified competition court layout. Get it at duvonlighting.com/free-quote.