Floodlights
Lighting for Grass and 3G Pitches
Floodlighting plays a vital role in delivering football across all levels of the game. From professional clubs to grassroots teams, artificial lighting is essential for extending playtime and improving facility sustainability. It’s a key requirement for clubs in the FA National League System and is indispensable for 3G football turf pitches, allowing for extended community use, grassroots matches, and training.
Natural Grass Pitches and Competitive Matches
For clubs competing from Step 6 in the male game (Hellenic Premier League Division One and above) and Step 2 in the female game (FA Women’s Championship), floodlighting is mandatory as part of league ground grading criteria. Any club participating in FA Competitions or The National League System must meet specific lighting standards based on the level of competition. These standards increase as you progress through the football pyramid.
Clubs below these levels can still participate in floodlit games, provided they meet the necessary FA minimum standards and the competition rules permit floodlight usage. A club must also hold an approved Floodlighting Survey Chart and Inspection Report to verify compliance with these standards.
Natural Grass Community Pitches & Training
Installing floodlights on community grass pitches often results in overuse, which can degrade pitch quality, leading to higher maintenance costs and more time-consuming upkeep. For this reason, floodlighting for community grass pitches is generally discouraged, and funding for such projects is limited. Clubs must demonstrate a lack of alternative floodlit facilities and show that separate training areas help reduce wear on the main pitch. In these cases, portable floodlighting solutions are recommended for training purposes.
3G Football Turf Pitches – Competitive Matches & Training
Floodlighting is crucial for maximising the use of 3G football turf pitches, which support both competitive matches and training. For competitive games on FA Registered 3G Football Turf, FIFA Class II standards require a minimum maintained average illumination of 200 lux for 11-a-side matches. For training purposes, lighting should meet at least 120 lux to ensure safe play and effective training. For greater efficiency, lighting systems should allow for part-illumination (e.g., half-pitch or thirds) to minimise costs and allow flexibility in usage.
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Rosie Pike Football Development Officer (Facilities and Investment) |
Portable Floodlights
Portable floodlights can be a cost-effective way for you to use your facilities during the hours of darkness, and can be funded by the Football Foundation. Click here to learn more.
Maintenance and Testing
Lighting systems typically experience a 15% - 25% deterioration in performance over time, so regular maintenance is essential to prolong the life of bulbs, lamps, and columns. Failure to follow manufacturer guidelines can lead to declining performance, voiding warranties, and potentially causing safety risks. Clubs in the National League System are required to update their Floodlighting Survey Chart and Inspection Report every two years to maintain compliance.
For more details on floodlighting technical requirements, planning permissions, and project design, please refer to the FA Guide linked below.
FA Guide to Floodlighting