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EnglishLED Lighting for Multi-Sport Halls
A multi-sport hall must provide suitable lighting for several activities within the same playing area: handball, volleyball, basketball, badminton and table tennis. The objective is to find the right balance between illuminance level, uniformity, visual comfort and flexibility of use.
1. Understanding the requirements
A multi-sport hall requires versatile lighting
Within the same space, different sports must be accommodated depending on the schedule and floor-marking configurations. The lighting project therefore cannot be designed for a single discipline. It must provide a good lighting level across the entire playing area, limit dark areas and ensure consistent visual comfort for all users.
In practice, the main handball court is often used as the basis because it encompasses the other layouts. Basketball, volleyball, badminton and table tennis markings are then superimposed. The photometric study must therefore seek a robust compromise across the entire sports hall.
Focus on local authorities and schools
Lighting a school sports hall for secondary schools
In a secondary school, the sports hall is often used throughout the day for PE lessons, then in the evening by associations, clubs or municipal activities. The lighting must therefore be versatile, uniform and easy to operate, with a layout capable of supporting several disciplines without favouring one court at the expense of others.
For a renovation or new-build project, STADÉLUM studies the hall as a whole: available height, main court, basketball / handball / volleyball / badminton markings, natural daylight, mounting points, visual comfort and installed power. When the hall also hosts departmental or regional competitions, a target of around 500 lux average with U0 uniformity of 0.70 can provide a working basis, to be confirmed according to the actual intended uses.
2. Key considerations
Specific constraints of a multi-sport hall
Multiple floor markings
Courts overlap. The entire playing area must therefore be properly illuminated without focusing on a single set of markings. The most reliable approach is to work from the main court and verify overall performance.
Very different sports
High ball trajectories in volleyball and badminton, fast handball shots, basketball transitions and the more localised use of table tennis require good visual comfort and consistent uniformity.
Robust and protected installation
Indoors, luminaires must be suitable for the available mounting heights, risk of ball impact, maintenance and daily operation. Light distribution must remain uniform across the entire sports area.
3. Standard reference
EN 12193: finding a realistic and effective compromise
For a multi-sport hall, the objective is not to over-specialise the lighting for every sport simultaneously. The right approach is to design a versatile installation capable of meeting the most frequent uses with consistent light distribution across the entire playing area.
4. Understanding the court
Multi-sport floor markings confirm the importance of the main court
In many sports halls, the handball court defines the main area and encompasses the other sports. Basketball, volleyball and badminton courts are then laid out within the same area. A successful lighting project must therefore provide good lighting quality across the entire shared zone.
This approach helps determine the luminaire layout, power and distribution. It also simplifies day-to-day operation, particularly in halls alternating between training sessions, school lessons, community activities and competitions.
5. Recommended solutions
SUPRALED as the main solution, with COURTLINE and SMASH as complementary options
Product selection depends on the height below the roof structure, available layout, required sporting level and need for flexibility. For multi-sport halls, SUPRALED is generally the preferred solution.
SUPRALED
A luminaire particularly suited to multi-sport halls, designed to provide uniform light distribution, good protection and a suitable layout for halls hosting several disciplines.
- Versatile approach for handball, basketball, volleyball and badminton.
- Good basis for targeting 500 lux average and U0 0.70.
- Suitable solution for renovation or new-build sports halls.
COURTLINE
An interesting solution when the project requires specific optics, a lateral layout or an approach similar to technical courts such as badminton or volleyball.
- Suitable for certain indoor or lateral configurations.
- Can complement halls with regular badminton use.
- Controlled distribution according to the selected layout.
SMASH
The SMASH floodlight can also be considered for certain projects, particularly when a targeted renovation solution is required, for specific playing areas or when adapting to an existing layout.
- Relevant option depending on height and available mounting points.
- Can be integrated into more technical multi-sport projects.
- To be assessed on a case-by-case basis using photometric simulation.
6. Lighting control
Control the sports hall according to sports, schedules and occupancy
In a multi-sport hall, lighting control is particularly useful. It is not always necessary to illuminate the entire hall at the same level throughout the day. A control strategy makes it possible to adapt the installation to actual use.
- Training, competition, maintenance or cleaning scenarios.
- Zone or half-hall switching where the configuration allows it.
- Better control of energy consumption and day-to-day operation.
Why integrate lighting control?
Because a multi-sport hall rarely operates in exactly the same way from morning to evening. Lighting control provides flexibility, helps standardise usage and limits unnecessary energy consumption.
7. Projects
Explore our sports hall lighting projects
If you would like to see practical examples of renovations or studies, visit our dedicated sports hall projects page.
8. FAQ
Frequently asked questions about multi-sport hall lighting
How many lux are required in a multi-sport hall?
Why target uniformity of 0.70?
Which court should be used as the reference?
Which STADÉLUM product should be preferred for a multi-sport hall?
Why add lighting control?
9. Your project
Need a lighting study for your multi-sport hall?
STADÉLUM helps you define the right illuminance level, layout and LED solution according to your sporting uses, hall height and operational constraints.