Texas High School Football Stadium Achieves Broadcast-Quality Lighting with Energy-Efficient IP66 Waterproof LED System
June 28, 2026
Project Background
A 12,000-seat high school football stadium in Texas had become a regional landmark for Friday night games, drawing crowds from across the county. However, the 25-year-old HID lighting system had degraded to the point where television crews from local sports networks regularly complained about inadequate illumination levels and severe color shift between fixtures. The school district launched a competitive tender for a complete lighting modernization that would meet modern broadcast standards while delivering substantial operational savings.
The Challenge
- Broadcast illumination requirements demanding 50+ foot-candles on the field with high uniformity for HD camera coverage
- IP66 waterproof rating essential for Texas weather extremes—from summer thunderstorms to winter ice storms
- Strict project timeline requiring installation during the four-month off-season window
- School district budget constraints requiring a solution with demonstrable ROI within three years
The Solution: 800W Energy-Efficient IP66 Waterproof LED Stadium Lights
The lighting design team specified 28 units of 800W Energy-Efficient IP66 Waterproof LED Stadium Lights with 30-degree beam optics, mounted on four 80-foot high-mast poles surrounding the field. The solution leveraged the fixtures' 104,000-lumen output and flicker-free performance to achieve broadcast-quality illumination with 40% fewer fixtures than the replaced HID system.
| Performance Metric | Pre-Retrofit (HID) | Post-Retrofit (LED) |
|---|---|---|
| Horizontal Illuminance (Center) | 32 fc | 68 fc |
| Vertical Illuminance (Broadcast) | 18 fc | 42 fc |
| Uniformity (Emin/Eavg) | 0.48 | 0.74 |
| System Power Draw | 84 kW | 22.4 kW |
| Flicker Rate | 8-12% | ≤0.3% |
Results & Impact
- Broadcast Approval: First season after installation, two games were selected for regional television broadcast—a first in the school's history—with production crews praising the flicker-free, high-CRI illumination
- Energy Reduction: 73% decrease in stadium lighting electricity consumption, saving approximately $28,000 annually
- IP66 Weather Resilience: Fixtures performed flawlessly through a severe ice storm and two summer microburst events with zero failures or water ingress
- Maintenance Elimination: The athletic department's maintenance budget for stadium lighting was reallocated entirely to other facility improvements
- Project ROI: Total project cost recovered within 28 months through combined energy and maintenance savings
Athletic Director Statement
"The difference on Friday nights is remarkable. Our players can see the ball more clearly, our fans have a better experience, and when the TV cameras show up, our stadium looks worthy of the coverage. The fact that it's saving us money every month makes it one of the best facility investments we've ever made."