Comprehensive NCAA Lighting Requirements

When networks sign billion-dollar contracts with the NCAA, as CBS and Turner Broadcasting did in April 2010, for the rights to televise the NCAA basketball tournament, they often make demands aimed at maximizing their broadcast capabilities. The NCAA, for its part, then tells arenas and stadiums what standards they must meet if they want to play host to tournament games. These standards include the lighting of games, based on the size of the venue and the sport being telecast.

  1. Basketball

    • The NCAA dictates that all lamps must have a standard color temperature of 3,600 degrees Kelvin and a minimum color rendering index of 65. However, because venues used for the NCAA Division I tournament vary from field houses to NBA arenas to domed football stadiums, the lighting also varies. Field houses that seat approximately 10,000 spectators, require 125 foot-candles per square foot. NBA arenas with seating capacities of 15,000 to 20,000 need 200 foot-candles of light and domed stadiums with seating for up to 70,000 require 250 foot-candles of light.

    Football

    • Television coverage dictates the lighting requirements for NCAA football games. In standard, non-televised games, 50 foot-candles of light are needed to light the stadium. Regional television broadcasts require 75 foot-candles, national broadcasts must be lit with 100 foot-candles and championship games require 125 foot-candles of light.

    Hockey

    • Standard and televised college hockey games are illuminated by 100 foot-candles, but for Division I's Frozen Four and championships of lower divisions, the NCAA demands 125 foot-candles of lighting.

    Lacrosse and Soccer

    • Because lacrosse matches are often played on soccer fields, the lighting requirements are the same--50 foot-candles for a standard game, 75 for a regional broadcast, 100 for a national broadcast and 125 for the championships.

    Baseball and Softball

    • Given that they use similar fields, the lighting requirements for baseball and softball are similar as well. For standard games, the infield is lit by 70 foot-candles and the outfield by 50 foot-candles. Regionally and nationally broadcast games need 100 foot-candles of lighting for the base paths and 70 for the outfield grass. During the championship rounds, fields need 125 foot-candles in the infield and 100 in the outfield.

    Wrestling, Boxing and Volleyball

    • Wrestling, boxing and volleyball matches use 80 foot-candles for all standard and regional broadcasts, 100 for national broadcasts and 125 for championships.

    Swimming and Water Polo

    • NCAA pools must be lit by 50 foot-candles for standard meets or matches, 75 foot-candles for regional broadcasts, 100 for national broadcasts and 125 for the championships.

    Track and Field

    • For non-broadcast events, tracks are lit by 30-foot candles and the field with 50. For regional broadcasts, both parts of the stadium need 75 foot-candles. Facilities require 100 foot-candles of lighting for national broadcasts and 125 for the championships.

    Tennis

    • Tennis courts need 75 foot-candles of light for non-broadcast games and regional broadcasts of matches, 100 foot-candles for national broadcasts and 125 for NCAA championships.