Installing tennis court floodlights: Step-by-step guide
Following these steps will help you plan and deliver a successful Floodlights project at your park.
If you have further questions not covered by this guide, please contact your LTA Delivery Manager who can provide advice and link you with the LTA Property Team at the appropriate stage.
Note: If the site has a battery-powered Clubspark-linked gate system, this will need to be upgraded to a mains-powered ‘premium’ system in order for the floodlights to be automatically controlled for bookings.
Appoint a sports lighting consultant or an experienced tennis court lighting contractor to help design the scheme. A good design will meet technical requirements and give the project the best chance of securing planning permission.
If the courts are close to homes or hedges/trees, it is particularly important to use a specialist who can provide information about light spill, glare and potential impacts on local residents for the planning and environmental health teams.
The LTA does not recommend specific consultants or contractors, however we advise using Sports and Play Construction Association (SAPCA) members with the relevant experience.
Alongside the above advice, review the site to understand:
- Whether there is a suitable electricity supply and how close it is to the courts.
- Whether floodlights could affect nearby homes, roads, trees or other facilities.
- Whether there could be any impact on wildlife or environmentally sensitive areas.
This information will help shape the design and identify any issues early.
Once a consultant or contractor has been appointed, then prepare a lighting design that meets the LTA performance criteria, shows the light spill and also indicates how the lights will operate and the hours of operation.
Share the design with local residents, ward members and the planning authority (this might be informally or through a pre-app).
Seek feedback and, where possible, adjust the design to address any concerns before submitting a planning application.
Once a contractor has been selected, work with them to finalise the lighting design.
- Submit a planning application, including:
- The lighting design.
- Site plans.
- Elevation drawings.
- Design and access statement
- Any supporting surveys or reports required by the planning authority.
Use the outline design to obtain quotations from at least three qualified contractors. When assessing contractors, check that they:
- Can provide a lighting scheme that meets the project requirements and design standards.
- Have relevant industry accreditation, such as NICEIC or ECA registration (or equivalent).
- Can provide a lighting design using the relevant software.
- Provide experience of delivering tennis court floodlighting projects.
If planning permission is granted with conditions, make sure these are addressed and formally discharged before construction starts.
Arrange for the floodlights to be installed by the appointed contractor. Once installed, ensure the system is tested to confirm that:
- It operates correctly.
- Lighting levels meet the approved design.
- Any planning requirements have been met.
- Contractor to provide operation and maintenance manual.
Note: If the site has a gate system, ensure clear communication between the lighting contractor and the gate contractor so that the lighting triggers are correctly connected to the gate system.
Manage the project throughout the construction phase and ensure any grant funding requirements are met. At the end of the project, obtain all operation and maintenance manuals from the contractor. These documents will explain:
- How to operate the floodlighting system.
- Routine maintenance requirements.
- Recommended inspection and replacement schedules.
Keeping these records will help ensure the floodlights remain safe, efficient and compliant over the long term.