Read how Sports Labs' in-house Balance Test Device quantifies the offset between a football's centre of mass and centre of volume to the millimetre.
Read MoreTransparency in Floodlight Testing: Highlighting the FIFA Quality Programme
In a stadium or grass roots facility the lighting performance has a direct impact on the quality of play, and thus the safety of the users. Having the lighting output independently verified is a key step any facility owner or procurement manager should include in the scope of works. There are also governing body approval schemes we should adopt more regularly, most notably launched by FIFA.
You can download this article to your device and read it later:
Quality Control in Sports Lighting
Floodlight systems ensure optimal pitch visibility during matches and training sessions. Comprising of metal halide or now more commonly LEDs strategically positioned around the pitch, these systems provide sufficient and uniform lighting for night play.
Who Benefits
The players, the buyer, the neighbours, the broadcaster and the viewer at home all benefit from good, reliable lighting solutions. Common problems are short of the minimum lux tolerances and poor uniformity from location to the adjacent locations.
A Design Audit
Checking the actual output of the lights on site versus the theoretical design is a key part of checking as a buyer you are getting what you have invested in. The spill and light pollution out with the main playing area can also have an impact on residential properties.
The Inspection
Our trained and accredited technician independently record the readings from the pitch. This means setting out a grid, recording readings at 96 points on the pitch with different devices, then analysing the results for compliance and uniformity.
Test Time
The assessment takes approximately 3 hrs on site to conduct all vertical lux, horizontal lux, main camera directional testing and flicker factor tests on a 96 point grid, across a standard 105m by 68m field. This includes goal line positions.
Certification
On completion of the testing, a report can be sent to the client and relevant governing body. The FIFA program, a 5 step process, allows licensees and preferred producers the opportunity to apply for a certificate which is conducted by a FIFA accredited test institute.
Independent testing is key
Stage 1: FIFA's Product Approval Audit
This part of the process is a desktop product audit (stage 1) prior to installation and carried out by the manufacturer before selling the product. It covers checks on General safety, Electromagnetic compatibility, Environmental requirements, Painting, Corrosion, Shock and Vibration, LED module/Luminaire performance and Warranty expectations.
FIFA Quality Pro: for football venues using football technologies.
FIFA Quality: for football venues and training sites
FIFA Basic: for football venues and training sites for non-commercial use
Field Test Equipment
We use state-of-the-art testing equipment that is calibrated under ISO 17025 conditions, ensuring accuracy reliability in our assessments. and with equipment geographically located to make independent testing accessible, our equipment can take 5 orientations in one set with 5 Lux receptor heads set up on a custom-built tripod.
Stage 4: Field Tests (Installations)
The Key Tests
Vertical Lux – The illuminance on the vertical plane. The illuminance on the Ev 0°, 90°, 180° or 270° vertical plane along with the main camera direction.
Horizontal Lux – (Eh) The average illuminance on the horizontal plane.
Uniformity (MAUR) – The minimum adjacent uniformity ratio or maximum permissible difference between any two adjacent points.
Flicker Factor, Colour Rendering Index, Colour Temperature and Glare are other notable tests.
FIFA Levels of installation Test
For the site test, the competition requirements define the tolerances. Within the FIFA manual, there is detail for FIFA Lighting Standard A, B, C and D as well as provisions for training pitches Grade 1 to Grade 6. As an example Eh (Horizontal lux) average expectations can range from 1000 to 2500 lux.
Like What you're reading?
Subscribe and Be the first to Get the latest industry news & Updates
Training Pitches
Article 11: Annexe – Overview of FIFA lighting standards for training pitches
Impact on the game
Quality floodlight systems significantly impact game quality by
- Enhancing Player Visibility: Better lighting helps with ball tracking and precise movements.
- Improving Referee Accuracy: Consistent lighting allows accurate observation of player actions and decisions.
- Increasing Safety: Optimal lighting reveals potential pitch hazards.
UEFA Confederation
The UEFA Lighting Guide 2023 gives guidance on minimum requirements for competitions as stated in the UEFA Stadium Infrastructure Regulations.
This is for UEFA member associations and suppliers to provide appropriate illuminance at stadiums in the UEFA region.
The levels range from Elite Level A for example hosting the UEFA Euro’s final to level D being nonbroadcast matches.
Heat Mapping
For safety and performance, consistency in lux at adjacent points is analysed. This uniformity is a pass/fail criteria, shown in more detail below with an example provide.
Taking the Next Step
Checklist for Certification
- Product audit is carried out and approved.
- Installation characteristics are met:
- Quality Pro stadiums only.
- Quality & Basic, stadiums or training venues.
- Performance characteristics
- < 10% from the modelled performance for Quality Pro & Quality
- Competitions requirements
- Pass all the category requirement
Recap on the Key Stages
The initial stage is completed by the manufacturer, which is an audit by the laboratory against the product for FIFA Quality and Quality Pro.
Then the site test is carried out by a test institute, and if passing an approval certificate it released by FIFA.
Who Does the Testing?
The testing can be commissioned by various stakeholders and performed independently.
Councils, Clubs, Leagues, and Competition Organisers from the perspective of a buyer and user.
For Installation Contractors it allows sign off, completion and closure, releasing retention from a project
The Sports Labs Process: A Turnkey Relationship
When supporting our clients we can combine additional services in the same visit. This helps out clients reduce facility downtime and put in less administration effort.
- FIFA Surface testing and Inspection (both natural and artificial surfaces)
- FIFA Goal Post Testing FIFA Goal Line Technology Testing
- FIFA VAR Offside Line Testing
Need advice from the Professionals?
Talk to the global leaders in sports testing for floodlighting according to the FIFA Quality Programme.
Sports Labs Field Notes
Read Similar Articles
If you enjoyed this article, then pick another! Or subscribe to the Sports Labs Field Notes to be notified when new articles are released.
World Squash & The Evolution of Structured Certification
World Squash is entering a new phase in its technical governance. How does this affect the PSA Squash Tour and clubs? Read to find out.
Read More
Free Pile Ration: How to Monitor It
We bring attention to the ability of a field owner, facility manager or maintenance operative to apply a basic pile ratio.
Read More
What does "Transparency" mean in the context of floodlight testing?
In sports lighting, transparency refers to the independent, third-party verification of a system’s performance. It involves using open-standard grid measurements and calibrated equipment to provide a report that is free from manufacturer bias. This ensures the facility owner receives a true representation of lux levels, uniformity, and energy efficiency.
Why is light uniformity as important as the total lux level?
While lux measures the amount of light, uniformity (expressed as U1 and U2 ratios) measures how evenly that light is spread. High transparency in reporting identifies “hot spots” and “dark zones.” Poor uniformity can impair a player’s depth perception and ball tracking, making it a critical safety metric for governing bodies like FIFA and World Rugby.
How often should a sports floodlight system be independently tested?
To maintain compliance and safety, most national governing bodies (NGBs) recommend a professional re-test every two years. Independent testing verifies that the “Maintained Illuminance” has not dropped below the required threshold due to lamp degradation or lens fouling, ensuring the system remains fit for competitive play.
What are the legal risks of poor floodlight transparency?
Opaque testing can lead to significant legal and operational risks, including planning permission breaches due to light spill, and liability claims if an injury occurs in a poorly lit area. Transparency provides a “legal audit trail,” proving that the facility has met the required EN 12193 standards for sports lighting.
How does independent floodlight testing support energy efficiency?
Independent testing by Sports Labs verifies the actual power draw against the light output. This transparency allows facility managers to identify system inefficiencies, such as misaligned LED beam angles or failing drivers, ensuring the system operates at the lowest possible cost while maintaining peak performance.