Adding lights is one of the highest-value upgrades you can make — it turns a daytime-only court into an after-work, after-dark amenity. Here's what to plan for.
What court lighting costs
A quality LED system runs $5,000–$10,000+ installed, covering 2–4 poles (typically 18–20 ft tall) with multiple fixtures each, wiring, and a controller. Single-court backyard setups land at the lower end; multi-court and commercial installs cost more.
How much light you need
Aim for even, glare-free coverage across the full 30 × 60 ft pad — not just the lined area. Recreational play targets roughly 30–50 foot-candles; competitive/club play pushes higher. The key is uniformity: even spread with no dark corners or hot spots that wash out the ball.
Why LED
- Lifespan: quality LEDs last up to ~100,000 hours — effectively decades of evening play.
- Efficiency: far lower energy cost than old metal-halide.
- Instant-on & dimmable: no warm-up, and you can zone or schedule them.
Glare & neighbors
Position fixtures so players never look into the light, and choose shielded, downward-facing optics to keep spill off neighboring yards. In tight residential settings this matters as much as the noise question — raise it with your builder early.
Even if you skip lights at first, have your builder run conduit during the base pour. Adding wiring later means cutting into a finished court.
Want lighting included in your estimate? The cost calculator lets you add it, then we'll match you with builders who do it right.
FAQ
Yes, though running new electrical to poles around a finished court costs more than wiring during the original build. A contractor can assess your layout and power access.
