Sports lighting is judged by class of play
Sports lighting is different from workplace lighting. Players track a fast-moving shuttle or ball against the ceiling, so glare and uniformity matter as much as the average. The required level also depends on the standard of play: a school PE lesson needs far less light than a regional league fixture. A sports hall lighting survey measures the playing area properly and tells you which lighting class your hall achieves for each sport, which is often the question a governing body, league or booking client will ask.
The key standard is BS EN 12193:2018 Light and lighting: Sports lighting, which sets illuminance and uniformity by sport and by lighting class. Sport England guidance on artificial sports lighting builds on it, and individual governing bodies may have their own requirements for competition venues. Staff working in the building are covered by regulation 8 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, and changing rooms, corridors and plant use BS EN 12464-1:2021 values.
Lighting classes and typical values
BS EN 12193 uses three classes. Class III covers recreational play, school sport and training; Class II covers club and regional competition; Class I covers top-level national and international competition.
| Sport (indoor) | Class III | Class II | Class I |
|---|---|---|---|
| Badminton | 300 lux, Uo 0.7 | 500 lux, Uo 0.7 | 750 lux, Uo 0.7 |
| Basketball | 200 lux, Uo 0.5 | 500 lux, Uo 0.7 | 750 lux, Uo 0.7 |
Figures are horizontal illuminance on the principal playing area. Other sports, such as tennis, squash, five-a-side and gymnastics, have their own values in the standard, and we apply the correct figure for each sport marked on your floor. As a general guide, a multi-use school sports hall is commonly lit to around 300 lux, which BS EN 12464-1:2021 also gives for school sports halls and gyms.
What we measure
- Principal playing area for each court, on the grid spacing the standard sets for that court size.
- Total playing area including run-off, where players still need to see.
- Uniformity, calculated for each court, since patchy light is the most common failure.
- Glare and luminaire position, particularly over badminton courts where players look up.
- Multi-sport layouts: we report each marked court separately.
- Fitness suites, studios, squash courts and swimming pool halls, if they are in scope.
- Changing rooms, corridors and spectator areas to BS EN 12464-1:2021.
- Emergency lighting in the hall and escape routes, optionally.
Who asks for a sports lighting report
Leisure centre operators and trusts use our reports to confirm which competitions a hall can host, and to set a baseline before an LED upgrade. Schools and academies with sports halls let to community clubs are asked for evidence by leagues and hirers. Clubs applying for funding or affiliation are sometimes asked to show lighting performance. Local authority clients and facilities management contractors commission surveys as part of contract handback or condition reports. For school buildings more broadly, see our school lighting survey.
How a sports hall survey works
- We confirm the court markings and sports you want assessed, and the class you are aiming for.
- The hall must be empty of play during measurement; most surveys are done early morning or late evening between bookings.
- Readings are taken with a calibrated lux meter on the grid set by BS EN 12193 for each court, with lighting at its normal full playing setting after warm-up.
- Daylight from roof lights or windows is excluded or recorded separately.
What you receive
- A court-by-court report showing average illuminance and uniformity against Class I, II and III for each sport.
- A clear statement of the highest class achieved for each sport.
- A grid plot of readings so dark spots and over-lit areas are easy to see.
- Recommendations covering failed lamps, cleaning, aiming, glare control and upgrade options.
Report turnaround is confirmed when you book. If you are preparing for a league season or a funding application, tell us your deadline when you book.
Sports hall lighting surveys across London and the South East
We survey leisure centres, school and university sports halls, private clubs and community halls across London, Hertfordshire, Essex, Kent, Surrey, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Norfolk. Leisure trusts with several centres can have every hall reported in the same format.
Price
Sports and leisure lighting surveys start from £340 for a single hall. Additional courts, pool halls and multi-centre programmes are quoted individually, with multi-site work priced on application. Prices are confirmed before booking; see pricing or estimate with the cost calculator.
Book a sports hall lighting survey
Tell us the venue, which courts and sports you need assessed and the class you are aiming for, and we will propose a slot between bookings. Book your sports lux test.
Frequently asked questions
How many lux does a badminton court need?
Under BS EN 12193 badminton needs 300 lux for Class III recreational play, 500 lux for Class II club competition and 750 lux for Class I top-level play, each with uniformity of 0.7.
What lux level is a school sports hall?
BS EN 12464-1:2021 gives 300 lux for school sports halls and gyms, and a multi-use hall is commonly lit to around that level, which is broadly in line with Class III for most indoor sports.
Does the hall need to be empty during the survey?
Yes. Readings are taken across the full playing area, so we schedule surveys early or late between bookings when the hall is clear.
Will the report tell us which competitions we can host?
The report states the highest BS EN 12193 lighting class achieved for each sport, which is what leagues and governing bodies usually ask about. Some bodies set additional requirements, so check those too.