Planning the lighting for a standard 11v11 football field is a significant undertaking. Unlike small recreational courts, a full-sized stadium requires precision engineering to ensure player safety, spectator visibility, and international standard compliance.
At LEDSportX, we specialize in transforming large-scale sports facilities with high-performance solar technology. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about 11v11 solar lighting.
1. Understanding the 11v11 Football Field Lighting Standards #
For a standard 11v11 field (approx. 105m x 68m), lighting is categorized by the level of competition. Following FIFA and EN12193 standards, we focus on three primary classes:
Class I (Professional & National): Requires 500-750 Lux. This is essential for professional leagues and facilities that require TV broadcasting with high-speed cameras.
Class II (Semi-Professional & Regional): Requires 200-300 Lux. Perfect for local sports clubs and high-level training facilities.
Class III (Recreational & Training): Requires 75-100 Lux. Ideal for community use, school sports, and general physical education.
Pro Tip: Uniformity (Uo) is just as important as brightness. A professional field should aim for a Uo > 0.7, ensuring there are no dark “blind spots” on the pitch.
| Level | Functionality | Illuminance (lx) | Illuminance uniformity | Light source | Glare | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eh | Evmai | Uh | Uvmin | Uvaux | Ra | Tcp(K) | GR | |||||
| U1 | U2 | U1 | U2 | U1 | U2 | |||||||
| Ⅰ | Training | 200 | — | — | 0.3 | — | — | — | — | ≥20 | — | ≤55 |
| Ⅱ | Amateur | 300 | — | — | 0.5 | — | — | — | — | ≥80 | ≥4000 | ≤50 |
| Ⅲ | Professional | 500 | — | 0.4 | 0.6 | — | — | — | — | ≥80 | ≥4000 | ≤50 |
| Ⅳ | International | — | 1000 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.5 | ≥80 | ≥4000 | <50 |
| Ⅴ | Major Intl. | — | 1400 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.5 | ≥90 | ≥4000 | ≤50 |
| Ⅵ | HDTV | — | 2000 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.6 | ≥90 | ≥5500 | ≤50 |
| — | TV Emergency | — | 1000 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.6 | — | — | ≥80 | ≥4000 | ≤50 |
| Note: Direct glare should be avoided for athletes, especially for goalkeepers during corner kicks. | ||||||||||||
2. Why Choose Solar for Large-Scale Stadiums? #
Many project managers hesitate to use solar for 11v11 fields due to the high power requirements. However, modern high-efficiency LED technology has made solar a superior choice for several reasons:
Zero Infrastructure Costs: 11v11 fields require massive cabling. With solar, you eliminate the need for trenching, wiring, and transformer upgrades, saving up to 30% on initial construction costs.
Energy Independence: Protect your facility from rising electricity prices and grid instability.
Smart Management: Our systems feature MPPT controllers and microwave sensors to optimize brightness based on usage, extending battery life significantly.
3. Key Technical Requirements: The LEDSportX Edge #
To light an 11v11 field successfully with solar, the hardware must meet professional-grade specifications:
High-Lumen Efficacy (180lm/W+)
For 11v11 fields, we use high-power stadium floodlights that deliver massive output with lower energy consumption. This ensures you reach the required Lux levels without needing an impossibly large solar array.
Precision Beam Angles
To prevent glare for players and light pollution for neighbors, we utilize specialized asymmetric lenses (e.g., 60° or 90°). This directs 95% of the light onto the pitch, not into the sky.
Battery Autonomy for 11v11 Demands
Our professional solar stadium lights are equipped with high-capacity LiFePO4 batteries, ensuring the lights perform at 100% brightness for the duration of a match, even after 3 consecutive cloudy days.
4. Typical Pole Layout for an 11v11 Pitch #
While every project is unique, most 11v11 fields follow one of these two layouts:
4-Pole Corner System: High-mast poles (usually 18m-25m) placed at the four corners. This is best for reducing glare but requires very powerful light heads.
6-Pole or 8-Pole Side System: Poles are placed along the touchlines. This offers the best light uniformity and is the most common setup for regional stadiums.
5. Cost Analysis: Is it Worth the Investment? #
The upfront cost of a high-quality solar stadium light is higher than a traditional AC light. However, the Return on Investment (ROI) is typically achieved within 18 to 24 months through:
$0 Monthly Electricity Bills.
Elimination of specialized electrical maintenance teams.
Carbon credit eligibility in many regions.
Get a Free Dialux Simulation for Your Project #
Don’t guess how many lights you need. Our engineering team provides free, professional Dialux simulations to show you exactly how our solar lights will perform on your 11v11 field.