Padel is the fastest growing sport in the UK, and tennis clubs, golf clubs, schools and leisure operators are adding courts everywhere. Most new courts get used most in the evenings, so the lighting decides how much money the courts make. Here’s what to think about.
Why padel lighting is different
A padel court is 10m by 20m and fully enclosed by glass and mesh, and the ball is played off the walls and lobbed high. That means the light has to be even right into the corners and the back glass, with no glare when players look up. Badly placed lights leave dark corners and reflections in the glass, and players notice straight away.
Where the lights go
Most courts are lit with LED floodlights on columns or on the court frame itself, usually along the sides. Court manufacturers often supply a lighting package with the court. That’s fine, but check it’s been designed for your site, not just the court, especially if neighbours are close.
The part court builders often leave out
The court builder delivers the court and maybe the light fittings. Someone still has to get power to them, and this is where projects go over budget:
- The supply: an armoured cable from your clubhouse or main board, sized for the distance so the lights get full voltage.
- Capacity: checking your incoming supply can take the extra load, especially if you’re adding several courts or EV chargers at the same time.
- A distribution board for the courts with proper protection.
- Controls: timers, or switching linked to your booking system so lights come on for booked sessions and go off when they end.
- Testing and certification of the new installation.
Getting an electrical contractor involved early, before the court is built, means ducts can go in during groundworks instead of digging up a new surface later.
Planning
New courts with lighting usually need planning permission, and lighting is often what neighbours object to. A lighting design with light spill plots makes a big difference. We’ve written a separate guide on planning permission for floodlights.
Getting it right first time
We can install padel court lighting, supplies and controls for clubs and leisure sites across London and the South East, working alongside your court builder. See our padel court lighting pages, tell us about your project or call 01525 582582.
