In the world of sports lighting, precision is everything. From the angle of illumination to the control of light spill, every detail plays a vital role in creating a safe, high-performing, and spectator-friendly environment.

At SOGA, we often hear a common assumption from newcomers to lighting design:

“Symmetrical beam optics are the best—because they’re evenly distributed.”

While this might sound logical, the reality is far more nuanced. In fact, when it comes to sports lighting, asymmetrical optics consistently outperform symmetrical ones—and here’s why.

Symmetrical vs. Asymmetrical: What's the Difference?

Symmetrical optics distribute light evenly in all directions, like a flashlight shining forward in a cone. This may be useful in general floodlighting, but in sports scenarios, it often leads to:

❌ Excessive light spill outside the target area
❌ Glare that disturbs players, referees, and spectators
❌ Light trespass into nearby neighborhoods or properties

Asymmetrical optics, on the other hand, are engineered to focus light in a controlled and directional beam, aiming the intensity toward the play area only. The result?

✅ Maximized efficiency – More useful lumens per watt
✅ Reduced obtrusive light – Minimal impact on surrounding areas
✅ Improved visibility – Less glare, sharper contrast, safer play

Why It Matters in Real-World Stadiums

magine lighting a football field with tall poles on both sides. With symmetrical optics, light beams scatter wide, wasting energy on the stands, the sky, and even nearby houses. Now apply asymmetrical optics. Each luminaire is precisely angled to concentrate its beam onto the field, layering light coverage without over-illumination or crossover glare. This isn’t just theory—it’s our daily practice at SOGA.

Our Engineering Solution:

V2.0 Asymmetrical Lens + LightGrid™

We’ve engineered our latest lens generation—SOGA V2.0—to produce highly optimized asymmetric beam patterns. These are fine-tuned to each sport’s layout, pole placement, and height.

And to further enhance control, our LightGrid™ (optional glare louvre system) shields stray rays, meeting even the strictest international standards for obtrusive light control, such as:

• EN 12193 (Europe)
• AS/NZS 4282 (Australia/New Zealand)
• CIE 150 / IDA (Global)

The Visual Difference

Left Side: Symmetrical optic – wasted light, high glare
Right Side: Asymmetrical optic – clean beam cutoff, focused light

Which one would you choose for a world-class sports venue?

Final Thought: Lighting the Game, Not the Sky

Lighting is no longer just about brightness—it’s about precision, responsibility, and design intelligence.
Asymmetrical optics are the future of sports lighting, and at SOGA, we’re proud to offer not just products—but engineered solutions tailored to every pitch, court, and stadium.