Yes, table tennis lighting strongly needs low-glare (anti-glare) design.
Glare control is one of the most important requirements for good table tennis lighting, especially at competition level.
Why low glare is necessary
Players constantly look forward, downward, and across the table while tracking a small, fast-spinning ball.
Direct glare or strong reflections on the table surface make it harder to judge spin, speed, and trajectory, reduce reaction time, and cause eye strain.
Poor glare also creates uneven brightness and "hot spots" that interfere with visibility.
Official and practical standards
ITTF requirements:
Light sources must be mounted at least 5 metres above the floor (to keep them out of players' direct line of sight).
Floor and walls must be non-reflective / dark.
Background must be generally dark with no bright light sources or daylight.
Lighting should produce as few reflections and as little glare as possible on the table surface.
Lighting design guidelines (from sports lighting specialists) consistently emphasize:
Low-glare optical design (diffused lenses, micro-prismatic optics, recessed LEDs, proper beam angles).
Avoid exposed LED sources or fixtures aimed poorly.
Uniform illumination is more important than simply higher lux levels.
Some modern recommendations target UGR ≤ 19 and Flicker free for player comfort.
Recommended lighting characteristics
| Aspect | Recommendation | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Glare control | Low-glare / anti-glare optics | Critical for ball tracking |
| Mounting height | ≥ 5 m | Keeps lights out of direct view |
| Lux levels | 600–1000+ lux on table (higher for elite/TV) | Sufficient brightness without excess |
| Uniformity | High (Emin/Eave ≥ 0.7–0.8) | Avoids shadows and hot spots |
| Table surface | Matt / low-gloss (gloss ≤ 15) | Reduces reflections |
| Colour rendering | CRI ≥ 80–90 or CRI:95-98 | Better contrast of ball vs table |
Bottom line: Standard bright lights without proper glare control are not suitable. Choose fixtures specifically designed for sports (or table tennis) with good anti-glare optics, correct height, and careful aiming. This is far more important than just achieving high lux numbers.
you can see more information for low glare https://www.benweilight.com/industrial-lighting/led-stadium-light/anti-glare-aluminum-led-badminton-table.html
