Sep 22nd, 2020

Football Pitch Lighting: England, Scotland, Wales, and UEFA

Depending on where a club is based and what level it plays at the rules governing the quality of pitch lighting needed can vary greatly.

The Football Association (FA) has its own rules. As do the Scottish Football Association (SFA), and the Football Association of Wales (FAW). And all clubs in each of these associations playing at a premier level are governed by the Union of European Associations (UEFA) regulations.

So, to help you understand what regulations your club has to comply with we’ve created this simple guide. It covers the regulations for each association in turn. Each one has its own classification system. So, we’ve put a note below each chart to let you know how they are ordered.

We’ve also pulled together a quick ‘at-a-glance’ chart to make comparing them as easy as possible.

Two terms you need to know

The two metrics used to grade lighting used here are lux and uniformity. Here’s what they mean in layman’s terms:

  • Lux – A measure of the intensity of light that hits a surface. The higher the lux, the brighter the light.
  • Uniformity – The uniformity of illuminance in terms of how evenly light is distributed over a given surface. The higher the figure, the more evenly light is spread.
Help is at hand

We’ve tried to keep this guide as simple as possible. If there’s anything you don’t understand, or you have any questions, we’re here to help. Just call us on +020 8038 7432 and one of our Sports Lighting specialists will be happy to help.

The FA Regulations
Football Pitch Lighting: England, Scotland, Wales, and UEFA

N.B. In this chart Grade G is the lowest level and Grade A the highest. League and Premier League clubs are covered by UEFA Regulations.

This Chart is from Page 5 of the FA Guide to Floodlighting Regs: see the full guide here.

The SFA Regulations
Football Pitch Lighting: England, Scotland, Wales, and UEFA

Chart is from page 29 of the Scottish FA Club licensing manual.

Clubs are required to have a floodlight system at the ground. To meet the Platinum standard not shown in the above chart, the club will be able to provide a back-up power supply which will provide two-thirds of normal power.

In the case of a Platinum, the floodlighting lux level is required to be: Average – 1200 lux and 0.45 uniformity

N.B. In this chart Bronze is the lowest level and Platinum the highest. Scottish Premier League clubs are covered by UEFA Regulations.

FAW Regulations
Category Lux Uniformity
Tier 1 500 lux N/A
Tier 2 250 lux N/A
Tier 3 250 lux N/A

N.B. In this chart Tier 3 is the lowest level and Tier 5 the highest. Cymru Premier League clubs are covered by UEFA Regulations.

UEFA Regulations
Football Pitch Lighting: England, Scotland, Wales, and UEFA

Chart is from Page 12 of the UEFA Stadium Infrastructure Regulations Guide: see the full guide here.

N.B. In this chart Grade 1 is the lowest level and Grade 4 the highest.

An ‘at-a-glance’ comparison

This chart compares the lux and uniformity levels of each regulatory body.

Regulatory body Their classification grouping Lux level Uniformity
FA Grade A (Step 1) Conference 250 0.25
Grade B (Step 2) Conference 180 0.25
Grade C (Step 3) Conference 120 (180) 0.25
Grade D (Step 4) Conference 120 (180) 0.25
Grade E (Step 4-5) Conference 120 (180) 0.25
Grade F (Step 5) Conference 120 (180) 0.25
Grade G (Step 3) Conference 120 (180) 0.25

N.B. Where the lux levels are given as ‘120 (180)’, the 120 figures show the minimum for any existing lighting systems. 180 figures show the lux levels that will need to be achieved if there is a lighting upgrade at any point.

Regulatory body Their classification grouping Lux level Uniformity
SFA Platinum 250 0.25
Gold 180 0.25
Silver 120 (180) 0.25
Bronze 120 (180) 0.25
Entry 120 (180) 0.25
WFA Tier 1 500 N/A
Tier 2 250 N/A
Tier 3 250 N/A
UEFA Category 4 1,400 0.5
Category 3 1,200 0.4
Category 2 800 0.4
Category 1 N/A N/a

N.B. Category 1 clubs lux levels don’t apply. However, they should be high enough for matches to be broadcast.

Get in touch if you want to know more

This is just a quick, introductory guide on football pitch lighting. If you’d like to know more – from the benefits to the pitfalls to avoid – our Sports Lighting specialists are here to help.

May 19th, 2020

Meet Patrick Daly – the latest ‘key player’ on our team

As any team manager will tell you, the sum of the parts is greater than the whole. It doesn’t hurt though to have a complete team of key players on your side. This is especially true if they can ‘play’ in any position – just like the latest transfer to the Midstream team.

In this edition of ‘Meet the team’ we’re talking to Patrick Daly. A keen sportsperson, hence the sporting metaphors above, he’s joining us as our new National Sales Manager – working across all our sectors.

Hello Patrick

Could you tell us a little about your background?

P.E. – or Phys Ed. as it’s also known – was always my favourite subject at school. This led to me studying for a BSc in Sports and Exercise Science in 2003 and working as a fitness instructor for a couple of years. I then went on to gain a master’s degree in Sports Management.
With these two qualifications under my belt, I ended up as a call centre consultant in a stocks and shares company. Not quite the job I was looking for. But I’m so glad I took it as the sales training and qualifications I got there stood me in great stead for the rest of my career. Following a short period of working in the insurance industry, I joined Abacus, working within Sports Lighting for the UK –in 2013, where I’ve been until now

What made you want to join us?

I’ve loved my time at focusing on Sports Lighting in my previous role. I worked with some great clients, including Lords MMC, Sussex CCC at the Oval, Kempton Park Racecourse, and Chelsea FC to name just a few. And, even though I say it myself, I was very successful there. Then this fantastic opportunity to join Midstream came along and I just couldn’t resist it. There are so many reasons why. It’s such a dynamic and forward-thinking company, with a huge potential to grow and grow. The expertise, service, and products offered are second to none. Personally, it also gives me the chance to take on new challenges, get a better understanding of the industry as a whole, and further my career – at Midstream!

Where are you based and what will your role cover?

As National Sales manager I suppose I don’t really have a home ground (cliché I know!) but very true. My role covers all the UK so there will be plenty of travel taking me to wherever partners, clients and projects need me. I’ll be looking to support all our sectors advising and guiding clients on the best lighting solution available to solve the challenges they face in aviation, sports and maritime.

Tell us more about your love of sports – what do you play, your top teams and venues

I used to be a keen football, cricket, rugby, and American football player. But I badly hurt my knee ligaments and had to give it all up. I’m still a very voluble ‘sofa-supporter’ though. When it comes to football, like many young kids, I grew up supporting the same teams as my Dad – Manchester United and England. I still do to this day. For rugby and cricket, it has to be England – we did invent them both after all. For obvious reasons, Old Trafford as a venue holds a special place in my heart. However, when it comes to history and aesthetics though, it has to be the ‘Home of Cricket’ – Lords.

Apart from watching sports, what do you like to do in your spare time?

Even though my playing days are over, keeping fit is important to me. So, I now do a lot of cross-country walking and yoga. I love a bit of culture now and again too – so the theatre and cinema are always high on my list of things to do. When it comes to holidays, I’m happy with a city break or spending time on the beach. And last, but by no means least, great food and fine wines. I do have to keep an eye on my waistband though

And for a little fun, tell us something about yourself that we don’t already know?

When I was at University I played American Football and was the first player in the University’s long history of playing the game to return a kick-off for a touchdown!

Midstream Lighting