Stadium Lighting: Horizontal vs Vertical Illuminance (Tender-Ready)

For stadiums, “average lux” alone is not enough. This guide explains horizontal vs vertical illuminance, what to request from suppliers, and how to keep bids comparable.

Where This Guide Fits

Quick Takeaways

  • Horizontal illuminance describes light on the ground; vertical illuminance affects visibility of players/ball and camera capture.
  • Stadium tenders should require IES/LDT + aiming notes + vertical results, not only horizontal lux.
  • Glare/spill control is often the constraint—require it in the layout assumptions.

What to request (non-negotiable deliverables)

  • IES/LDT files for the proposed luminaires and optics
  • Simulation report with horizontal and vertical results (targets + uniformity + calculation grids)
  • Aiming/tilt notes, glare/spill mitigation (shields/visors if needed)
  • Assumptions clearly stated: pole height, mounting positions, optics, CCT/CRI, depreciation factor (if any)

RFQ clauses (copy/paste)

  • Supplier must provide IES/LDT files and a simulation report including horizontal and vertical illuminance results.
  • Supplier must provide aiming notes and glare/spill mitigation measures (if required).
  • Bids without photometrics deliverables are non-compliant.

Common bid traps

  • Only reporting “Avg lux” on the ground, no vertical results.
  • Hiding assumptions (aiming, tilt limits, shielding) that change glare/spill outcomes.
  • Using different optics in simulation vs quoted products.

Next Steps