Ready for the highest league

Dutch football club RKC Waalwijk is trying to find its way back to highest level, the Dutch Eredivisie, where they have been playing for years. After their relegation in 2014, RKC Waalwijk is now competing in the 2nd league in the Netherlands. The stadium of RKC Waalwijk, with a capacity of 7,500 spectators, has a new lighting system since the start of this season, based on LED. It means in terms of stadium lighting they have already been promoted.

LOOKING FOR THE WAY UP

RKC Waalwijk’s upgraded LED lighting meets the KNVB’s 800 lux horizontal requirement for Keuken Kampioen Divisie matches. “The switch to LED ensures compliance,” explains Raymond Wiggers. Although there are no strict rules for vertical light, the current stadium masts are ideal for delivering high-quality vertical illumination, meeting UEFA Level D standards.

“Fox Sports and photographers already capture excellent images,” adds Wiggers. An upgrade to UEFA Level C is easily achievable, paving the way for future European competition as the club progresses.

A COMPLETE RENOVATION OF THE STADIUM

General Director Frank van Mosselveld shares: “The stadium had seen little maintenance in the past 20 years. Now, the first impression is much better—modern, spacious, and neat, featuring glass, wood, and anthracite finishes.”

The upgrade includes a complete overhaul of RKC Waalwijk’s stadium lighting to meet Eredivisie standards. Van Mosselveld explains, “The old lighting was outdated and unreliable. Upgrading to modern lighting was an easy decision to enhance the overall experience and performance.”

SMART SOLUTIONS IN STADIUM LIGHTING

RKC Waalwijk aims to return to the Dutch Eredivisie, but first needed to upgrade its facilities. “The old lighting system wouldn’t pass inspection,” notes Director Van Mosselveld. The challenge was to reuse the existing masts without increasing the load, as LED fixtures are typically bulkier.

Most LED systems are heavier due to their heat transfer needs, making mast reuse difficult. However, AAA-LUX’s innovative design is the only solution that allows reuse of existing masts with a complete all-in-one LED product, including power supply.

PRESERVING THE EXISTING STADIUM MASTS

AAA-LUX installed 80 WS-STAD LED luminaires at Mandemakers Stadium, delivering high light output with fewer, lighter fixtures. “This allows us to meet the required light levels while reusing the existing masts,” explains Raymond Wiggers.

RKC Waalwijk benefits from significant cost savings by avoiding new mast installations. “It’s a smart investment,” notes Director Van Mosselveld. The lightweight design of AAA-LUX fixtures also offers room for future expansion without exceeding mast capacity, making it a scalable solution for the club.

READY TO COMPETE

With its renewed stadium lighting and renovation, RKC Waalwijk is ready to compete at the highest levels. “The KNVB requires 800 lux horizontal lighting for Keuken Kampioen Divisie matches, which RKC now meets with LED technology,” explains Raymond Wiggers.

Although the KNVB doesn’t set vertical light standards, the stadium masts at RKC are ideal for achieving top-quality vertical lighting. “The stadium now exceeds UEFA Level D vertical lighting requirements, providing excellent TV and photography quality,” says Wiggers. An upgrade to UEFA Level C is easily achievable, ensuring future readiness for European competition.

ALWAYS IN CONTROL

RKC Waalwijk’s stadium is equipped with a smart control system that wirelessly manages the 80 LED luminaires using pre-programmed dimming scenes. “Lighting is at 100% during matches, and lower during training,” says Van Mosselveld. This ensures the stadium is always illuminated at the right level, reducing energy consumption and light pollution.

“The quality of lighting is excellent, and we’ve already noticed reduced energy use,” adds Van Mosselveld. By adjusting light levels, RKC Waalwijk not only saves costs but also lowers CO2 emissions, improving the club’s environmental footprint.