Football Field Lighting: HS, College & Stadium Standards

Football field lighting scales from ~30 footcandles for recreational play to ~50 for high-school competition, with substantially higher levels and vertical illuminance for college and broadcast venues. The layout — 4, 6, or 8 poles — sets uniformity, glare, and whether the field can support televised play. This guide covers standards by level, pole configurations, the upgrade path, and budget.

Standards by level

Pole configurations

Football fields use 4-pole (budget/recreational, taller masts), 6-pole (the competition standard), or 8-pole (broadcast and tightest uniformity) layouts, set back from the sidelines for safety at 70–100 ft. More poles build even vertical illuminance from multiple directions and reduce glare — essential for filmed games.

Horizontal vs vertical light

High-school fields can design to a horizontal footcandle target, but any field that will be televised must also meet vertical illuminance toward each camera position. Building the poles, foundations, and circuits with headroom now lets a program add fixtures later to reach collegiate or broadcast levels without re-trenching.

Fixtures and budget

Duvon's Union and Liberty series cover HS and competition; Vanguard and Apex handle stadium and broadcast. Budgets commonly run $150,000–$400,000+, with poles, foundations, and any broadcast capability driving cost. US assembly keeps public-school projects BAA/BABA-eligible.

Frequently asked questions

What footcandles for high school football?

~30 fc rec, ~50 fc competition, maintained; add vertical illuminance if filmed.

How many poles?

4 (rec), 6 (competition), or 8 (broadcast), at 70–100 ft.

Why does vertical light matter?

Cameras see the vertical plane; without it a field looks dim on broadcast even at the right horizontal level.

How much does it cost?

~$150k–$400k+ depending on poles, foundations, and broadcast capability.

Request a free football field layout at duvonlighting.com/free-quote.