Court Lighting: Keep Playing After Sunset

A great court shouldn’t clock out at sundown. The right lighting turns your space from a “nice backyard feature” into a true all-day, all-evening home court.

Good court lighting:

• Extends playtime (especially in hot Texas summers)

• Improves safety and visibility

• Makes the whole project look finished and premium

We typically recommend one of three lighting paths—based on how you play, how bright you want it, and how sensitive your neighbors/HOA are.

Quick Pick Guide

Choose Pole LEDs if: you want the brightest, most “real court” experience
Choose Tweener® if: you want clean design, even lighting, and HOA-friendly results
Choose Solar if: you want “easy light” with minimal infrastructure

What Are Foot-Candles (fc) and Why Should You Care?

Lighting strength is measured in foot-candles (fc) — basically, how much light reaches a surface.

Here’s how much light different sports need:

Numbers like these are why we offer multiple lighting systems — so you can get the right light for your game.

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Option 1: Pole-Mounted LED Lighting

Techlight Sport Pole System (Most Popular)

This is our go-to setup for most backyard courts and small facilities because it checks the big boxes: brightness, flexibility, and that classic “real court” vibe.

Why it works:

• Purpose-built LED sport fixtures on 16′ steel poles

• Great for basketball, pickleball, tennis, and multi-sport

• Typically 1–6 poles depending on court size and desired brightness

• Strong, direct light output with a traditional athletic look

Best for: families who want that pro-court feel and serious night play.

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Option 2: Fence-Line Lighting

Tweener® Linear Lighting (Cleanest Look + HOA Friendly)

Want high-end lighting without tall poles in the air? Tweener® runs along the inside of your fence line for a modern, minimal look—and very even coverage.

Why people love it:

• Fixtures mount low along the fence (not on poles)

• Super even light with minimal shadows

• Excellent for pickleball and tennis

• Very neighborhood / HOA-friendly with less light spill

Important planning note: Tweener® requires 220V power, so it’s something we plan early—before concrete is poured.

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Option 3: Solar Lighting

Dominator Solar (No Trenching, No Wiring)

If you want light without touching your electrical panel, solar can be the perfect solution—especially for casual play and general backyard safety lighting.

What to expect:

• Solar-powered fixtures with motion sensor + timer

• No trenching. No wiring. No utility bill.

• Best for driveway hoops, shooting courts, casual evening games, and security lighting

Reality check: it’s not meant to replicate tournament-level brightness for late-night competitive play—but it’s awesome for keeping things usable after dark.

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“Who Handles the Wiring?”

Short answer: your electrician.

Austin Courts doesn’t perform electrical work—but we make it easy by coordinating the plan early:

• Conduit routes and stub-ups

• Suggested panel / switch locations

• Power requirements (ex: 110V vs 220V, expected loads)

• Lighting layout planning before concrete is poured

So when your electrician shows up, they’re plugging into a plan—not guessing (or cutting into your finished court later).

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Want Lighting Included With Your Court?

Tell us how you’ll use the court—casual family games vs. serious training—and we’ll recommend the best lighting setup for your space, layout, and neighborhood.

If you want, paste your typical project area (Austin? Lakeway? Westlake? etc.) and the sport mix (basketball / pickleball / tennis), and I’ll tailor this post with a tighter “recommended setups” section for your most common builds.