Tennis Court Lighting Guide
Whether you're booking a lit court for an evening hit or thinking about installing lights at home, here's what you need to know about tennis court lighting in Australia.
Australian Lighting Standards for Tennis
Tennis Australia and Standards Australia (AS 2560.2.1) define minimum lighting levels depending on the level of play. Here's the breakdown:
| Level of Play | Min Lux | Uniformity | Typical Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recreational / Social | 250 lux | 0.5 min/avg | Council courts, private courts |
| Club Competition | 350 lux | 0.6 min/avg | Tennis clubs, pennant matches |
| Regional / State | 500 lux | 0.7 min/avg | Regional centres, tournaments |
| National / Broadcast | 750+ lux | 0.7 min/avg | Major venues, televised events |
For context, a well-lit office is about 400 lux. So even recreational-grade court lighting is noticeably dimmer than indoor environments, which is why ball visibility matters.
LED vs Halogen: What Courts Are Using Now
The transition from halogen to LED floodlights has transformed night tennis across Australia. Most new installations and council upgrades are LED-only, and for good reason.
LED Floodlights ✓
- ✓ 60–80% lower energy costs
- ✓ 50,000+ hour lifespan
- ✓ Instant on — no warm-up time
- ✓ Better colour rendering (see the ball clearly)
- ✓ Less light spill — better for neighbours
- ✓ Dimmable and programmable
- ✗ Higher upfront cost (~$8,000–$15,000 per court)
Metal Halide / Halogen ✗
- ✗ High running costs ($3–$6/hour)
- ✗ 6,000–15,000 hour lifespan
- ✗ 5–15 minute warm-up time
- ✗ Yellowish light — harder to track ball
- ✗ Significant light spill
- ✗ Cannot be dimmed easily
- ✓ Lower upfront cost (~$4,000–$8,000)
What If Your Court Has No Lights?
Not every court has floodlighting, especially suburban backyard courts, rural courts, and older public facilities. You've got a few options:
- Portable LED floodlights: Battery-powered work lights from Bunnings can provide enough light for a casual rally. Look for 10,000+ lumen units. You'll need 2–4 placed around the court.
- LED tennis balls: Our LED balls light up on impact and stay visible even in complete darkness. Combined with glow accessories, you can play without any court lighting at all.
- Car headlights: The budget hack. Park two cars at opposite ends with high beams on. It works surprisingly well for a casual hit.
Tips for Playing Under Lights
Even on well-lit courts, night tennis requires a few adjustments:
- Use optic yellow balls. White balls virtually disappear under artificial lighting. The standard yellow/green is designed for visibility under lights.
- Watch for shadows. Floodlights create hard shadows near the net and baseline. These can affect your depth perception on volleys.
- Avoid looking at the lights. Serving can be tricky if a light is directly in your sightline. Adjust your toss position if needed.
- Wear a cap or visor to reduce glare from overhead lights, especially on lobs.
Cost of Booking Lit Courts
Light fees vary by venue, but here's what you'll typically pay on top of the court hire:
- Council courts: $10–$20/hour for lights (coin-operated or app-based)
- Club courts: Often included in court hire ($20–$35/hour total)
- Private venues: $30–$50/hour including lights
Many councils now use apps like Book a Court or Clubspark for booking and activating lights remotely — no coins needed.
No lights? No worries.
Our LED balls and glow gear let you play on any court, any time — no floodlights required.
Shop Night Tennis Gear