Padel courts - where artificial lighting at night is essential

Originating in Mexico in the late 1960s, padel is a unique, fast-paced cross between tennis and squash typically played in doubles — and it’s really catching on in the UK! But what does it have to do with lighting?

The Issue

Many sports (including padel) are enjoyed well into the evening — providing they have courts that are artificially lit when the sun goes down. However, for owners of sports facilities to make late-night games available for keen players, they must think carefully about their lighting schemes.

Artificial lighting at night (also known as ALAN) can have a negative impact on surrounding wildlife habitats — creating light spill and excessive glare that confuses and endangers everything from birds and bats to bees and gets in the way of planning approvals. Which is where DFL comes in...

The Solution

We’ve created several lighting schemes for sites with padel courts in our time, including one for the Ballantyne Health Club in Weybridge and another located in Hildenborough — a village in Tonbridge, Kent.

Each of these schemes benefits from our designers’ expertise in outdoor lighting for sports facilities, with adjustable LEDs set to the right lighting classes for optimum visibility (and minimal disruption to wildlife).

The Result

All the padel courts we’ve worked on have received comprehensive lighting schemes that don’t just fulfil a purpose, but also create inviting, memorable environments for players and spectators alike. It’s all about ensuring that the spirit of the game shines bright — even after the sun sets!