FIFA, UEFA, and AFC classify pitch lighting in 5 levels: training (75 lux), local competition (200), national (500), international (1000), and World Cup broadcast (2000-3500 lux). Each adds uniformity, glare (GR), and TLCI requirements. Saudi stadiums hosting the 2034 World Cup must hit FIFA Class IV, and broadcast HDR demands TLCI ≥ 85, vertical 4-camera lux.
Four ideas to carry into the next specification conversation you have.
Training 75 lux. Local 200. National 500. International 1000. World Cup HDR 2000-3500 lux. Each adds GR, TLCI, uniformity demands.
Players need horizontal lux on the ball. Cameras need vertical lux from multiple directions for HDR. Modern stadiums design for both.
Goalkeepers look up. Players track high balls. CIE 112 glare rating must stay ≤ 50 from all play positions.
Television Lighting Consistency Index. Cameras need accurate skin and jersey colours. Like CRI but for TV cameras.
Lux, uniformity, glare, and TLCI by competition level.
| Class | Horiz / Uniformity | Vert / GR / TLCI |
|---|---|---|
| Class I, Recreation | 75 lux / U > 0.4 | - / GR < 55 / - |
| Class II, Local | 200 / 0.5 | 100 / 50 / 65 |
| Class III, National | 500 / 0.6 | 300 / 50 / 75 |
| Class IV, International | 1000 / 0.7 | 800 / 50 / 85 |
| Class V, World Cup HDR | 2000-3500 / 0.7 | 2000 vert 4-cam / 50 / 90 |
| HDR broadcast 4K/8K | + 50% from Class IV | TLCI ≥ 90, CCT 5600K |
Five engineering decisions for Saudi 2034 stadia.
Metal halide had 15-min restrike, no instant on, no dimming. LED gives instant scenes, programmable transitions for opening ceremonies, and HDR-friendly flicker-free operation.
FIFA wants slow-motion replays from any angle without harsh shadows. Means light from 4 directions at 30° above horizontal, not just from the masts.
Cameras don't see colour like eyes. TLCI ≥ 85 ensures skin tones and jersey colours render correctly on TV. CCT typically 5600K to match daylight references.
Modern LED floods with individual pixel control let pitches double as canvases for opening / closing ceremonies. Already shipped at stadiums in Qatar and KSA.
A Class IV stadium runs 1.5-3 MW of lighting load. Modern LED cuts that to 0.6-1.2 MW. Saudi solar-PV stadiums use rooftop PV to offset 30%+ of game-day load.
Stadium-grade LED floodlights, HDR-ready, TLCI ≥ 90, pixel-control compatible. Engineered for KSA 2034 hosting per FIFA Class IV+ specs.
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