Upgrading
Sports
Lighting?

Whether you’re dealing with poor visibility, rising energy costs, or preparing for broadcast-level play, this guide walks you through exactly what to consider—before you talk to a vendor.

Sound Familiar?
  • Players complaining about visibility?
  • Struggling to meet broadcast or NCAA standards?
  • Constant maintenance or lamp failures?
  • Energy bills climbing every season?
  • Light spilling into surrounding neighborhoods?
What most facility managers don’t realize…
  • Not all LED systems meet broadcast standards—even if they claim to
  • Uniformity matters more than brightness alone
  • The wrong lighting design can create glare that affects both players and cameras
  • Most upgrades fail because requirements weren’t defined upfront

Common Mistakes in Sports Lighting

Low Color Rendering (CRI)

Good lighting isn’t just about brightness—it’s about clarity, too. A high color-rendering index (CRI) helps players, officials, and fans clearly see what’s happening on the field. When CRI is too low, it becomes harder to track plays, reactions slow down, and eye strain can set in more quickly.

Inefficient Lighting Choices

While sports lighting needs to be powerful, efficiency matters just as much. Some fixtures may start off bright but quickly lose output over time, leading to frequent replacements. Opting for high-efficiency lighting with minimal lumen depreciation helps reduce maintenance costs and keeps performance consistent.

Excessive Flicker

With so many games being recorded or broadcast, lighting needs to perform well on camera. Too much flicker can cause distracting visual issues, especially during slow-motion playback. Choosing lighting with low flicker ensures smoother, more professional-looking footage.

Flat, One-Dimensional Lighting

Sports are dynamic and happen in three dimensions, so lighting should reflect that. It’s important to consider not only the field but also elevated spectators and objects in motion, like balls in the air. Using a thoughtful mix of key lighting and fill lighting from multiple angles helps create depth, improves visibility, and enhances player safety by reducing harsh shadows and glare.

Inconsistent Color Temperature (CCT)

Consistency is key when it comes to lighting color. If different fixtures produce varying color temperatures, it can create uneven visuals—especially noticeable on camera. This is particularly important for broadcast environments, where standards like the Television Lighting Consistency Index (TLCI) help ensure high-quality video capture.

Uncontrolled Light Spill

Lighting doesn’t stop at the edge of the field—it can affect nearby homes, roads, and even air traffic. Poorly controlled lighting may cause glare for drivers or unwanted light in neighboring properties. The good news is that well-designed systems can minimize light spill by directing illumination exactly where it’s needed.

At Torrence Sports Lighting, we work with facilities that need reliable, standards-compliant lighting systems without overengineering or overspending.

What an upgrade typically involves:
  • Site evaluation
  • Lighting design & simulation
  • Budget alignment
  • Installation
  • Commissioning
Cost Expectations:
  • Field size
  • Level of play
  • Existing infrastructure
  • Pole reuse vs replacement
Get a quick lighting assessment