Field hockey is a fast-paced, Olympic team sport featuring 11 players per side who use curved, one-sided sticks to maneuver a hard ball into the opponent’s goal on a 100x60 yard pitch. Originating from ancient stick-and-ball games, the modern game was formalized in 19th-century England and is now a global, predominantly played on synthetic turf.
A field hockey pitch is a rectangular, 91.4m (100 yd) long by 55m (60 yd) wide, synthetic turf or grass surface, designed for 11-a-side play. It features a center line, 23-meter lines, a striking circle (or "D") around each 3.66m wide goal, and penalty spots, with mandatory run-off safety areas.
This is a standard field hockey dimension which is very similar with football pitch, a standard FIFA, UEFA football pitch is 65x108m, the field hockey pitch is smaller, however, they have the same lighting design solutions.
Each country or region has its own standards, and some international organizations also establish competition rules and lighting design rules. The International Hockey Federation, commonly known as the FIH (Fédération Internationale de Hockey), is the worldwide governing body for field hockey and indoor hockey. Founded in 1924 in Paris and headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, the FIH manages international tournaments, sets rules, and develops the sport globally.
The primary standards referenced worldwide include :
(1). EN12193
(2). AS 2526
(3). RP-6-22
(4). JGJ 153-2016
(5). FIH Guide to sports lighting for televised outdoor hockey
(6). Guide to the artificial lighting of hockey pitches from FIH
We will take European EN12193 standards requirements as an example for reference.
DIN EN 12193 for sports lighting defines the minimum lighting requirements in tables for all sports.
Below is the basic requirements for non-broadcasting field hockey pitch:
For non-televised
| Class | Eh maint lux | U2 hor | U1 hor | Ra min | GR max |
| Class I | >500lx | >0.7 | >0.5 | >70 | 50 |
| Class II | >300lx | >0.7 | >0.5 | >60 | 50 |
| Class III | >200lx | >0.7 | >0.5 | >60 | 55 |
Number of grid points: PA 19x11, TA 21x13
Mast Placement
Masts must always be situated outside the overrun area as shown below. We recommend a minimum of 5m beyond the back-lines and 6-m behind the side-lines.
Side mast arrangement:
This method usually provides a more uniform lighting result and may be economically more feasible as pole height requirements are typically reduced. Four,six,or eight mast layouts are acceptable. A qualified lighting designer can determine the most advantageous arrangement based on the level of play and site conditions.
Corner mast arrangement:
A corner mast system can be utilised but, care should be taken that masts are situated so that there is sufficient vertical illuminance as this can sometimes prove difficult in the central area of side-lines. Heavy X shadowing from player is a drawback to this design as well as higher potential for glare. Positioning some lighting on the roof over spectator stands may help if of adequate height.
The below figure is an example pole location guide with 8 poles along 2-side.
The below figure is an example light pole placement along 2-side, which is similar to the football pitch lighting design principles.
The below figure is an example light pole placement at 4-corner. which is similar to the football pitch lighting design principles.
The primary distinction lies in the fact that for venues without television broadcasts, we need only consider horizontal illuminance. However, for venues with television broadcasts, our primary focus shifts to vertical illuminance. This difference results in significant variations in the lighting design solutions required for each scenario.
According to EN12193 requirements, Class I target average lux is above 500lx, for this level usually there are 2 lighting poles placement, 2-side or 4-corner, Due to variations in the luminous efficacy of each product, the following simulation is for reference only.
Solution 1 : 500lx 2-side 8 poles
Pole arrangement: 2-side
Pole Qty: 8 nos
Pole height: 18m
Floodlight Qty: 24 nos
Floodlight Wattage: 1200W/1500W
Below is an AGI32 simulation for Class II target 300lx average only for reference.
Pole arrangement: 2-side
Pole Qty: 6 poles
Pole height: 18m
Floodlight Qty: 18 nos
Floodlight Wattage: 1200W
Below is an AGI32 simulation for Class III target 200lx average only for reference.
Pole arrangement: 2-side
Pole Qty: 6 poles
Pole height: 18m
Floodlight Qty: 18 nos
Floodlight Wattage: 1000W
The sports flood lights available on the market can generally be divided into two categories: one is retrofit 1-to-1 type, typically designed with a one-piece heat sink, and the other is modular designed type, typically from 300W to 600W per module.
The design concept of R5 is to replace traditional HID one-to-one when refurbishment, particular attention should be paid to weight and dimensions.
There are 2 models which is designed with a one-piece heat sink, just different shapes. R5 is round while M6 is rectangular in shape.
R5 has 3 different sizes: 600-800W, 800W-1200W, 1200W-1500W
M6 also has 3 different sizes: 750W, 1000-1200W, 1500W
If the heat sink is used ACD12 die-casting alloy, the size and weight would be substantial, far exceeding that of traditional metal halide lamps, if maintaining the same dimensions would result in worse heat dissipation. Therefore, we employ a more reliable solution, using AL1060 cold-forging alloy.
| Model | Wattage range | Features |
| R5 | 600W~800W 800W~1200W 1200W~1500W | One-piece AL1060 Cold-forging heat sink with up to 237W/(m.K) standard thermal conductivity coefficient, which is double higher than ADC12 die-casting, which only has 96W/(m.K) |
| M6 | 750W 1000W~1200W 1500W | One-piece AL1060 Cold-forging heat sink with up to 237W/(m.K) standard thermal conductivity coefficient, which is double higher than ADC12 die-casting, which only has 96W/(m.K) |
There are a few modular designed Sports Flood lights in the market, from 300W to 600W per single module. Because it is more flexible and less tooling investments.
| Model | Wattage range | Features |
| M5 | 500W single module | ADC12 Die-casting |
| M8 | 800W single module | ADC12 Die-casting |
| M4 | 600W single module | Body material: AL1060 Cold-forging, M4 has better heat dissipation abilities than M5 and M8, hence, M4 can be more compact under the same wattage comsuption which is very important for sports floodlights because of less EPA |
M5 is more economical than M8, while M4 has better heat dissipation management abilities due to AL1060 heat sink.
R5 1500W
