Amsterdam, The Netherlands – PSV became the first Eredivisie club in the Netherlands to kick off under ground-breaking LED lighting at the Philips Stadium on Saturday evening. The Eindhoven-based national champions played a match against Excelsior from Rotterdam under the innovative LED pitch lighting supplied by their main sponsor, Royal Philips, the global leader in lighting. To mark the official inauguration of the LED pitch lighting, players and fans were treated to a unique light show. The Philips Stadium is the first Eredivisie stadium in the Netherlands to add a whole new dimension to the match experience in the stadium by installing white LED pitch lighting.

With this innovative lighting it is possible to illuminate specific parts of the pitch before football matches or other events at the stadium.  It is also possible for fans at the stadium and those watching at home to see and experience the smallest of gestures and emotions on the pitch. What's more, thanks to the efficiency of this LED lighting system, the Philips Stadion owners will saves 30% on energy compared to conventional pitch lighting, as well as benefit from reduced maintenance of around 33%.

The new white LED floodlights are flexible and easy to operate, switching easily between the different lighting levels required to create the right atmosphere at different moments before, during and after a match. For instance they can enhance the atmosphere in a stadium by creating an appropriate light effect when a goal is scored without the need for additional (colored) lighting, luminaires, light beamers or other special-effects equipment. The position of the LED pitch lighting do not need to be adjusted for this so can be used as per official matches with the stadium management controlling the lighting.

Toon Gerbrands, General Manager of PSV says, “At PSV we attach great importance to innovation. We are delighted to be staging another first with Philips through this innovative LED pitch lighting at Philips Stadion. This system enables us to make a visit to the stadium even more exciting and enjoyable for our fans. We have fully integrated the endless possibilities of LED lighting into our match entertainment, with the result that light, sound and video come together to create the perfect experience. This wonderful innovation is just another example of how PSV and Philips aim to lead the way forward.”

“As the global leader in lighting, we are extremely proud to have taken this major step forward in delivering an unparalleled and dynamic football match experience, both for those fans at the stadium and those watching from home.  Football has certainly been promoted to the next division,” said Frank van der Vloed, General Manager Philips Lighting Benelux.
 
Philips ArenaVision LED is the world's first LED pitch lighting to meet the stringent requirements of international television broadcasters and sports federations. The new pitch lighting meets the new standards for super slow motion in HD and 3D. For over 60 years Philips has been supplying professional lighting for major sporting events. In 2014 Philips supplied, amongst other things, the pitch lighting for Chelsea Football Club’s home stadium Stamford Bridge, Hull Tigers grounds KC Stadium and nine of the 12 official competition stadiums for last summer’s soccer tournament in Brazil.