Why do so many arenas have horrible lighting?

[KaseMeOutside]

Seriously sometimes it feels like you are watching games in a movie theater when did this trend of terribly lit arena's begin?

 

[1mjp]

Seriously sometimes it feels like you are watching games in a movie theater when did this trend of terribly lit arena's begin?

Where are you talking about?

 

[Hammond]

Might wanna check your TV's brightness dude. I've never had this problem.

 

[Serac]

I agree though only with a few arenas
LA's immediately comes to mind

 

[LowSodium]

I agree though only with a few arenas
LA's immediately comes to mind

LA used LED lighting iirc, not necessarily worse just different.

 

[Megustaelhockey]

We will just complain about anything, won't we?

I personally prefer the more theatrical lighting. I want the ice to be lit like a stage because it is one. I go to games to watch the game, not to see people in the arena seated directly across from me.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Where are you talking about?

I think he's talking about the new trend of LED lighting in the arenas. Basically instead of having that white glare which lights up the entire arena, they've moved to a more sophisticated lighting system that focuses on the ice only. It has a theatrical effect.

 

[Judas Tavares]

To be honest I've noticed this over the years too. Maybe the lighting isn't horrible, but some arenas seem distinctly darker. MSG and Nassau Veterans Memorial always seemed quite dim.

 

[SpookyTsuki]

Seriously sometimes it feels like you are watching games in a movie theater when did this trend of terribly lit arena's begin?

Seems like the exact same

 

[Doctor No]

Seems perfectly fine to me.

 

[ecemleafs]

We will just complain about anything, won't we?

I personally prefer the more theatrical lighting. I want the ice to be lit like a stage because it is one. I go to games to watch the game, not to see people in the arena seated directly across from me.

This. I don't like getting a great view of other fans watching the game. I'm there to see the action on the ice.

 

[redfzn]

OP is talking about MSG circa 1994.

NY was lit.

 

[rt]

Gila River Arena in Glendale is so damn dim. Looks like an old depressing office building in a dated business park.

 

[Viqsi]

To be honest I've noticed this over the years too. Maybe the lighting isn't horrible, but some arenas seem distinctly darker. MSG and Nassau Veterans Memorial always seemed quite dim.

For me it's always United Center. I swear, Dollar Bill cut out half the lighting fixtures in that arena and Rocky has yet to get around to putting them back in.

 

[Big McLargehuge]

Games played at MSG back in the day looked like they were lit by a single 60W bulb.

 

[emeyezee]

I love the darkness of the United Center.

 

[I Hate Blake Coleman]

There's literally nothing wrong with the lighting.

 

[KaseMeOutside]

Where are you talking about?

Ok for instance, whenever a blues home game is on, it seems to me that the lighting is absolutely awful the arena just seems dark it is not visually appealing to me. that is just one example.

for all the complaints about barclays center, i think it is lit very well and for a tv viewer is a good viewing experience

 

[wolfgaze]

I have noticed this too, but rarely... I tuned into a Dallas game that was being aired on the NHL Network and the lighting looked so dim that I actually had difficulty seeing the puck on the ice... And no I don't have vision problems and I sit about 7-8 feet from a 37" LED TV... I can't remember if Dallas was the home team during that game but I believe so... Also, the cameras seemed a little further out than I'm accustomed to...

 

[tarheelhockey]

Games played at MSG back in the day looked like they were lit by a single 60W bulb.

I read somewhere that they saved over $500,000 in lighting costs in 93-94 by cutting electricity to the building and shining a flashlight at Mark Messier's head.

 

[KaseMeOutside]

same thing in colorado today.....the arena is so dark, i don't get this trend at all...

 

[johnny_rudeboy]

same thing in colorado today.....the arena is so dark, i don't get this trend at all...

Agree. Looks boring.

 

[justonetime]

same thing in colorado today.....the arena is so dark, i don't get this trend at all...

You do know that just because it looks darker on your TV doesn't necessarily mean it's actually darker in the arena, right?

 

[johnny_rudeboy]

You do know that just because it looks darker on your TV doesn't necessarily mean it's actually darker in the arena, right?

I reached for the remote, did some adjustments and now it is as bright as I want it and I feel dumber then ever...

 

[hossua34]

The lighting at SAP Center is very dim in general, not just in the crowd. I actually prefer it to be well lit, not like a theater stage. I like being able to see the size and makeup of the crowd, the interior features of the arena, etc. Like the Air Canada Centre always seems to look on tv.