Tennis Court Lighting Cost & ROI
Lighting a tennis court typically costs about $15,000–$25,000 for a recreational court and $40,000+ for a competition court, driven by pole count, mounting height, and fixture output. But the cost is only half the decision. The return — energy and maintenance savings plus the revenue from added evening playing hours — is what makes lit courts pay for themselves, often within a few years. For clubs and municipalities, the extra rental and programming hours are frequently the biggest part of that return.
This guide breaks down what drives the price, how multi-court facilities cut the per-court cost, and why the ROI case rests on more than the electric bill.
What drives court cost
| Driver | Effect on cost |
|---|---|
| Pole count & height | More and taller poles = higher cost |
| Fixture output | Higher footcandle target = more fixtures |
| Single vs multi-court | Shared poles lower the cost per court |
A recreational court targeting ~30 fc needs fewer, lower-output fixtures than a competition court at ~50 fc with tighter uniformity — which is the main reason the range runs from ~$15k to $40k+. Foundations and electrical work add to the structure side, and site conditions can swing the number either way.
The multi-court advantage
If you're lighting more than one court, don't price them in isolation. Adjacent courts can share sideline poles, so each pole serves two courts. That cuts the total pole count and foundation cost while keeping aiming consistent for even play across the whole facility. The practical effect is a meaningfully lower cost per court for a bank of courts than for a single standalone court — a key planning point for clubs and parks building multiple courts at once.
The ROI case
The return comes from three places. First, energy: LED uses ~50–65% less than metal halide for the same light. Second, maintenance: LED's long life all but eliminates re-lamping and the crane trips it requires. Third — and usually largest for revenue-generating facilities — added usable hours: lit courts can host evening league play, lessons, clinics, and rentals that an unlit court simply can't. For a club or municipality, those incremental booking hours often dwarf the energy savings and are what drive payback within a few years.
A photometric study turns these ranges into a firm fixture count and price, and an ROI estimate. Duvon's Patriot, ProCourt, and Freedom series cover recreational through competition courts.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to light a tennis court?
About $15,000–$25,000 for a recreational court and $40,000+ for competition, driven by pole count, mounting height, and fixture output. Multiple courts together cost less per court.
What drives the cost?
Pole count and height, fixture output (higher footcandles need more fixtures), and whether poles can be shared across a multi-court facility.
What is the ROI?
Energy savings (~50–65%) and minimal maintenance, plus added evening rental, lesson, and league hours — often the largest return — delivering payback in a few years.
Does lighting multiple courts lower the cost?
Yes — shared poles between adjacent courts cut pole and foundation cost per court while keeping aiming consistent.
How do I get a firm number?
A photometric study fixes the fixture count, layout, and price, and supports an ROI estimate for your specific court or complex.
Request a free certified tennis cost & ROI estimate with a photometric layout. Get it at duvonlighting.com/free-quote.