Best Backyard Pickleball Court Lighting Options for Night Play
One of the best parts of having your own backyard pickleball court is being able to play whenever you want — even after dark. But to do that, you'll need proper lighting that’s bright enough for competitive play without creating glare or shadows.
Let’s break down the key lighting options and considerations for building a night-ready court.
LED Lights: The Gold Standard for Backyard Courts
LED lights are the most popular choice for residential courts — and for good reason.
Bright, energy-efficient, and long-lasting
Produce minimal heat
Available in court-specific models with wide beam spread
Look for LED floodlights designed for sports courts, not just security lights. You want even, glare-free coverage over the entire playing area.
How Many Poles Do You Need?
For most backyard courts, you'll want 2 to 4 poles depending on how much light coverage you need.
2 Poles (Baseline Placement):
Mounted near the ends of the court, 10–12 feet off center. Good for casual play or small spaces.4 Poles (Pro Setup):
One at each corner, angled inward. This provides even lighting with fewer shadows — great for higher-level or evening group play.
Pole height recommendation:
14 to 20 feet is ideal for minimizing glare and maximizing coverage.
Recommended Fixture Specs
When choosing fixtures, make sure they are:
Weather-resistant (wet-rated for outdoor use)
At least 200–300 watts per fixture (or equivalent LED lumens)
Directional (to reduce spillover into your neighbor’s yard)
Optional bonus: Use smart lighting controls or a motion sensor timer so your lights don’t run unnecessarily.
Avoiding Glare & Light Pollution
Nothing kills night play faster than lights that shine in your eyes or bounce off the paddle. Here’s how to prevent it:
Mount lights high and angle them down
Use shields or visors on fixtures to control beam spread
Choose warm white or neutral tones (4000–5000K color temp)
If you have neighbors nearby, consider adding shrubbery or fencing around the court to block light spill.
How Much Does Court Lighting Cost?
Lighting is a major upgrade — but one that extends the usability of your court by hours per day. For more information about the costs of building a pickleball court, see our blog post here.
Basic setup (2 poles, standard LEDs): $1,500–$3,000
Pro-level lighting (4 poles, high-wattage LEDs): $4,000–$6,000+
Add ~$1,000 if trenching and wiring is needed from the house
Want a Lighting Setup That Feels Pro?
Lighting can be tricky to get right — from choosing the right pole locations to running the wiring safely.
At Backyard Pickleball Builders, we can help you:
Decide what type of lighting is right for your yard and budget
Connect with a local contractor who has experience with court lighting
Avoid glare, bad angles, or overspending on the wrong equipment
👉 Book a free consult and let’s make sure your court is playable day or night.
