Friday Night Lights: LED Lights and Football

Football season is upon us, which means chilly nights sitting in the stands, clutching hot chocolate and cheering on your favorite teams. While the game of football has stayed the same in recent years, the way we watch it is changing. LED lights and football fields and stadiums are becoming the next big power couple. Over the past few years, and in years to come, LEDs are driving metal halide bulbs out of their starting positions. Here’s why.

Metal Halide Bulbs

High-intensity discharge (HID) metal halide bulbs have been a staple in the sports world for decades. You can find these bulbs in high school gyms, football fields and baseball diamonds. Yet, while these lights are an old favorite, they come with their fair share of baggage. HID metal halide bulbs need a lot of heat to turn on and stay on and are often accompanied by that buzzing noise we all know too well. They take minutes to warm up and minutes to cool down and make an already cramped gym hot and stifled with the heat they give off. With LEDs now on the market, it’s easy to see how they could bump HID metal halides from their decades-old status.

LED Lights and Football

Many professional sports stadiums have already made the switch to LED field lighting. However, LED lights are still more expensive to purchase than metal halides, although this may change in the next few years. In an interview with Athletic Business, Musco Lighting CEO Joe Crookham stated, “My guess is that somewhere in the three-to-five-year range, LED equipment will get to the place where it does not cost a premium over HID, in which case there will be no reason to buy HID.”

With LED prices steadily dropping, it makes sense for football fields and stadiums to make the switch. LEDs offer a brighter, whiter light while using much less energy than metal halide lights. They also perform well in cold weather. No more waiting for lights to warm up and turn on before starting the game or practice. Lastly, they can last upwards of 50,000 hours! Imagine not having to change a lightbulb for years!

Some football fields that have updated to LED lighting include Notre Dame, Detroit’s Ford Field, Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Minnesota’s Viking Stadium, and many more!

Stay up-to-date on lighting news with Sitler’s LED Supplies! If your school district is looking to replace lights, inside and out, call us today at (319)-519-0039! From classrooms to security lights to gym and football field lighting, we have you covered!

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