Hockey Arena Lighting Design
Get Your Custom Lighting Plan With Product Recommendations
What to Expect When Requesting a Lighting Plan


Our Customers
The first question when working on a project is often: How Many LED Lights Do I need to properly light an indoor or outdoor hockey rink or ice rink? How bright does it need to be? How can I make this a successful lighting upgrade? A sports lighting layout for ice rinks / hockey rinks is the ideal first step to ensure your LED lighting gives the desired foot candle level and bright, balanced light, providing the best experience for hockey players and ice skaters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Hockey Arena Lighting Design?
Hockey rink lighting design uses specialized lighting design software to model indoor ice rinks and arenas. We calculate the number of fixtures you'll need, show you where these fixtures should be installed, and provide accurate light levels and balance calculations. Light balance is just as important as light levels – creating a lighting solution that's bright and balanced is the difference between noticing how good the light is versus how bad it is. We offer free lighting designs for our commercial lighting and industrial lighting clients, electricians, electrical contractors, and ESCOs.
How Does Lighting Balance Influence The Game In A Hockey Arena?
Proper lighting balance ensures optimal visibility for players tracking fast-moving pucks and making split-second decisions. Unbalanced lighting creates shadows and hotspots that can cause players to lose sight of the puck or misjudge distances. We design lighting systems that maintain consistent illumination across the entire ice surface, eliminating the visual disruptions that affect player performance and safety.
Why Is Balanced Lighting Essential For Hockey Arenas?
Balanced lighting provides uniform illumination that reduces eye strain for both players and spectators. Light contrasts between bright and dim areas force the eyes to constantly readjust, causing fatigue and reduced performance. No player wants to move the puck from a hotspot into a shadow – our designs eliminate these problematic lighting transitions that disrupt gameplay.
What Is The Process Of Calculating The Number Of Fixtures In A Hockey Rink?
We use industry-leading AGI32 software to model your specific hockey rink dimensions and requirements. The software allows us to place fixtures, select appropriate fixture types, and configure the layout until light levels and balance meet industry standards. Our process includes modeling the rink structure, calculating optimal fixture placement, and generating detailed photometric reports showing exactly how many fixtures you need.
What Are The Challenges In Creating A Balanced Lighting Plan For Hockey Arenas?
The primary challenge is achieving uniform brightness across highly reflective ice surfaces. Ice reflects up to 90% of light, creating potential glare issues that must be carefully managed. We must balance adequate illumination with glare control, account for ceiling height limitations, and ensure the lighting system works effectively for both televised games and recreational play.
What Are The Key Lighting Considerations In Hockey Arena Lighting Design?
The key elements in hockey arena lighting design include:
- Desired brightness levels (typically 200-500 lux depending on use)
- Balance and uniformity ratios
- Color temperature (4000K-5000K for optimal visibility)
- Glare control for reflective ice surfaces
How Much Does A Professional Hockey Arena Lighting Plan Cost?
We provide complimentary lighting designs when you purchase fixtures through us. For standalone lighting plans, costs typically range from $500-2000, depending on arena complexity. Our plans include detailed fixture specifications, placement drawings, and photometric calculations that ensure code compliance and optimal performance while potentially saving thousands in avoided purchasing mistakes.
What Information Do You Need To Create A Hockey Arena Lighting Design?
We need your arena dimensions and ceiling height, intended use level (recreational vs competitive), any existing electrical infrastructure details, and your target budget range. Building plans or dimensioned sketches help us create the most accurate design. We can also work with basic measurements and photos of your space to develop an effective lighting solution.
How Long Does It Take To Complete A Hockey Arena Lighting Design?
Most hockey arena lighting designs are completed within 3-5 business days after receiving your space information. Complex multi-rink facilities may require 7-10 days for comprehensive analysis. We provide preliminary fixture counts and budgets within 24-48 hours for projects requiring quick estimates, with detailed photometric analysis following shortly after.
Can A Lighting Plan Help Me Avoid Costly Installation Mistakes?
A professional lighting plan prevents over-purchasing or under-purchasing fixtures, which can cost thousands in corrections. Our designs show exact fixture placement, preventing installation errors that require expensive repositioning. The plan also ensures your installation meets industry standards and local codes, avoiding failed inspections and costly rework that often exceeds the lighting plan cost.
Sample Ice Rink Lighting Plans and Heatmap



Completed LED Lighting Supply Ice Rink Projects

