Jessica P - May 11, 2025

AXE THROWING LIGHTING

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A LIGHTING GUIDE FOR AXE THROWING

The rise of this popular sport has its origins in utility and survival among Vikings and Celtic tribes until a guy from Toronto, Canada founded the first BATL Axe in his backyard in 2006. Originally it started off as a unique concept as a weekly get together for friends.

Axe throwing has grown from a rural lumberjack pastime to a mainstream recreational sport particularly in Canada and the USA with hundreds of venues and franchises expanding the market - it’s definitely not just for hipsters and wild bachelorette parties. With its rising popularity, the need for well-designed lighting for this precision game while maintaining safety and ambience has become increasingly important.

The right lighting contributes to the rugged, energetic atmosphere that many venues aim to create and can help your guests stay in their lane while focusing on the target.

With LED lighting, a venue can create a range of user experiences and moods from sophisticated to a nightclub setting with the angle of a light or the touch of a button to change the lighting scene. Upgrading to LED lighting improves safety, visual comfort but also offers cost savings while offering the chance to enhance the customer experience that won’t go unnoticed.

BEAM CONTROL & FOCUSED LIGHTING

Narrow beams directed at targets ensures that the focus remains on the critical area without lighting up unnecessary spaces. This enhances the ambiance while ensuring throwers can clearly see their target boards.

This strategy is also known as contrast lighting which is used in certain sports and retail situations to draw the eye to specific areas effectively.

General Lighting

Well-illuminated high traffic zones such as walkways, entry points, and seating areas, are essential to creating a feeling of comfort and safety in any axe-throwing venue.

LED lighting with wide flood beam angles in common areas using soft, diffused light ensures that players, staff and spectators can move around and watch the fun. comfortably.

THEMATIC & COLOURED LIGHTING

Many axe-throwing venues are designed with a rustic or industrial theme, and the lighting should complement this aesthetic. LED lighting systems with adjustable color temperatures can help create a dynamic environment - cooler lights for competition and warmer, ambient lighting for social settings. Coloured RGB lighting can enhance the vibe for seasonal festivities, team colours or branding for corporate events.

LIGHTING LEVELS FOR AXE THROWING

The following are lighting characteristics and suggested illuminance targets which are measured in units called “Lux” or “Footcandles”.

Illuminance is the measurement of levels of light from a light source that hits a given surface area which can be measured in “Lux” or “foot candles” using a light meter.

In a sport such as axe throwing, because players are aiming to hit targets on a vertical surface, it is important to measure the vertical lux of target area surfaces and any other wall areas that you want to attract attention.

Paying attention to table top areas and where food and beverage is served, higher traffic flow zones such as POS and entrance ways.

Vertical Lux for Target Visibility: A vertical illuminance of 500 lux or more ensures that throwers can clearly see their targets, enabling them to focus on hitting the bullseye. Uniform light levels across the throwing lane help minimize shadows and distractions, allowing participants to maintain precision.

Vertical Lux Targets: 300-500 lux for general play, up to 700 lux for competitions.

KEY CONSIDERATIONS RECAP

Focus on lighting the target vertically to enhance depth perception. Depending on the fixture type, mounting it at a pre-calculated height and aiming angle can produce a luminous intensity to guide the thrower. This may not be obviously perceptible to the human eye but may help with performance.

Avoid glare and shadows around the throwing area and target by placing light relatively high above each area and if necessary aim lights from each side.

Ensure even light distribution to eliminate dark spots on targets with a fixture that produces ample uniform light to the target area without creating any dark spots.

Using high lumen output to achieve a high vertical lux number on targets can help with accuracy and create that visual impact especially in competitive environments. Note that with an LED upgrade high lumen output is possible with low wattage and low voltage products.

COST BENEFITS OF UPGRADING TO LED

LED lighting systems offer substantial financial savings for axe-throwing venues. They use significantly less electricity than traditional halogen or fluorescent lighting leading to lower energy bills and less maintenance.

EASE OF MAINTENANCE

LED fixtures require very little maintenance, lasting up to 50,000 hours or more. This reduces the need for frequent bulb replacements that involve cleaning or damages, minimizing labour costs and disruptions during events while ensuring that the venue remains well-lit and safe.

The long lifespan of LED fixtures reduces replacement and labor costs, making LED lighting a cost-effective solution for both small and large venues.

LIGHTING CONTROLS

Smart lighting controls are ideal for multi-use venues like axe-throwing clubs and those spaces that provide a variety of entertainment options where lighting needs may shift throughout the day.

Control systems allow for dimming, timed schedules customized for your operational need, and the convenience of pre-programmed event-specific settings. The added value of RGB coloured light activation, adjusting brightness and focus lights can enhance both competitive play and social gatherings, optimizing the atmosphere for any occasion.

Controls can also integrate with your security systems while monitoring utilities usage and highlight maintenance needs proactively through a simple app set up.

LIGHTING TRENDS IN AXE THROWING VENUES

With multiple stakeholders and members on a project, there are often benchmarks that are referenced to justify cost and understand risk. Improved lighting is a common trend in sports and hybrid recreational facilities globally on both a private and national league level.

Enhanced Safety with Targeted Illuminations

As axe-throwing venues grow in popularity and sophistication, ensuring participant safety through effective lighting design is becoming a priority. LEDs with targeted optics are now being used to illuminate the critical throwing areas while maintaining lower ambient light levels in spectator zones.

Dynamic Lighting Systems for Flexible Use

Many venues are adopting smart lighting systems that allow operators to adjust the lighting intensity and color temperature based on the activity. For instance, lighting can be optimized for cleaning and tournaments with bright, focused lights, while dimmer, warmer lights can be used during casual events and regular operations.

Energy Efficiency and Cost-Effective Solutions

The conversion to LED systems has proven to be the right move for energy efficiency that yields long-term cost savings for venues both indoors and outdoors while reducing negative impacts on the natural environment. Reducing energy consumption that delivers high- performance dynamic lighting is driving many venues toward full LED conversions. Let us help you calculate your ROI.

EXPERT CONSULTATIONS

Our experts are here to help you hit a bullseye with proper lighting techniques and lighting layout. A thoughtful plan is essential as you invest in your business and client experiences.

Contact us at LuxLogic Lighting to have our team of experts provide a complimentary consultation and review any product questions you may have.

TESTIMONIALS

“Switching to LED lights has been one of the best decisions for our venue. The lighting is bright enough to ensure safety, and the ambiance it creates really complements the rugged, rustic feel we wanted. Our beverage sales are up and people generally stay for longer rounds.”

— Mike K.,Venue Owner


“Good lighting makes all the difference in competitive axe throwing. It helps me stay focused on the target without distractions, especially during longer throws. The clarity down the lane is fantastic.”

— Jessica A., Competitive Axe Thrower

OUR SOLUTIONS

DOME BAY

WATTAGE: 100W/150W/200W/240W/300W/400W/480W

CCT: 3000K/4000K/5000K/6500K

VOLTAGE: 100-277V (UNV) / 277-480V (HV)

MOUNTING: EYE BOLT / PENDANT MOUNT

150LM/W

The Dome Bay is an extremely versatile, Direct /Indirect, highperformance LED sports high bay that is ideal for both outdoor and indoor sports lighting applications. With its flexible, modular design the Dome Bay is specifically engineered to illuminate swimming pools, tennis and soccer domes, gyms, arenas and more.


• LED Driver: Lumileds

• Lumen Maintenance @L70: >50,000 hours

• CRI: RA>80

• THD: <15%

• Power Factor: >0.95

• Operating Temperature: -40ºC to 60ºC / -40ºF to 140ºF

POOLSIDER

WATTAGE: 60W/100W/150W/200W/300W/400W/600W

CCT: 2700K/3000K/4000K/5000K/6500K

VOLTAGE: 120-277V (UNV) / 277-480V (HV) (REMOTE DRIVERS ONLY)

MOUNTING: YOKE MOUNT (STD) / PENDANT MOUNT / CROSS ARM BRACKET

170LM/W

The Poolsider is a modular LED flood light specifically designed for the caustic environment of Natatoriums, but versatile enough to be used in any flood light application. Multiple optical lens choices, and rotatable modules allow a wide variety of light spread for various use both indoor and out.

• LED Engine: Philip Lumileds 50502, CREE 3524 for 10D ONLY

• LED Driver: Meanwell XLG

• Lumen Maintenance @L70: 75,000 hours

• CRI: >70  Ra

• Power Factor: >0.95

• Operating Temperature: -40ºC to 60ºC / -40ºF to 140ºF

PATRIOT DIRECT LIGHTING

WATTAGE: 115/130/155W & 155/180/210W & 240/270/310W

CCT: Selectable 4000K (DEFAULT)/5000K

VOLTAGE: 120-347V (CUNV) / 277-480V (HV)

MOUNTING: SUSPENDED / CEILING MOUNT / PENDANT MOUNT

150LM/W

The Patriot is a CCT SELECTABLE AND WATTAGE SELECTABLE DIE-CAST ALUMINUM LED linear high bay featuring a super compact design with die-cast housing with powder coated paint. Standard 6KV surge protection provides steady performance, even under poor power conditions.

• LED Engine: SMD2835 LED

• LED Driver: Ankom (CUNV), Fahold (HV)

• Lumen Maintenance @L70: >75,000 hrs

• CRI: >80Ra

• Power Factor: >0.95 @120V, Power Factor: >0.7 @347V

• Operating Temperature: -40ºC to 50ºC / -40ºF to 122ºF

MAXUM DIRECT LIGHTING

WATTAGE: 90W/120W/150W & 120W/160W/200W

CCT: Selectable 3000K/4000K/5000K

VOLTAGE: 120-347V

MOUNTING: EYE BOLT (STD) / CEILING BRACKET

170LM/W

The Maxum is a WATTAGE SELECTABLE AND CCTSELECTABLE high bay featuring a patented design, with aesthetic modeling and unique style. It is occupancy sensor ready (It features a built-in occupancy sensor socket.) It has a luminous output of 170L/W, making it an ideal solution for warehouses, factories, supermarkets, and other indoor applications.

• LED Engine: SMD2835 LED

• LED Driver: Lifud

• CRI: Ra>70

• THD: 15%

• Power Factor: >0.9

• Operating Temperature: -40ºC to 45ºC / -22ºF to 113ºF

CONTENDER

WATTAGE: 300W/600W/900W/1200W

CCT: 3000K/4000K/5000K

VOLTAGE: 100-277V (UNV) / 277-480V (HV)

MOUNTING: YOKE (STD) / SLIP FITTER

170LM/W (155 LM/W FOR G4)

The Contender Sports Flood Light is the swiss army knife of sports lighting. Featuring a modular design that allows the connection of up to three separate modules, each rotatable 360°, the Contender is a versatile luminaire that can handle a huge variety of projects. IP66 and IK10 ratings make it ideal for outdoor use, and offering a variety of beam angles for multiple applications - 30°, 60°, 90° and Asymmetric-G4 Type.

• LED Type: Philips

• LED Driver: Inventronics/Meanwell

• CRI: RA>70(Standard); RA>80(Optional)

• Power Factor: >0.95

• Operating Temperature: -40ºC to 60ºC / -40ºF to 140ºF

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