PROJECT CASE
Unilumin Sports Selected as Exclusive Sports Lighting Supplier for National Stadium
Agust 20, 2026 | News
In 2026 Unilumin Sports has been appointed as the exclusive sports lighting supplier for the main stadium lighting system at Beijing’s National Stadium, widely known as the Bird’s Nest.
The 10-year partnership marks an important milestone for Unilumin Sports and for Chinese sports lighting technology. It is also the first time since the National Stadium opened that a Chinese brand has been selected for its main stadium lighting system.
The project brings together high-performance LED sports lighting, intelligent control, and energy-efficient system design to prepare one of the world’s most iconic sporting venues for the next generation of international events.
A New Lighting System for an Iconic Sporting Venue
Built for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the Bird’s Nest is one of the most recognizable stadiums in the world. It is also the only venue to have hosted both the opening and closing ceremonies of two Olympic Games.
After nearly two decades of operation, the stadium’s original metal halide lighting system was reaching the limits of its service life. Light depreciation, difficulties in sourcing replacement components, and increasing maintenance requirements created new challenges for a venue that continues to host major sporting events.
At the same time, modern sports venues require much more than basic illumination. Lighting must provide consistent performance for athletes and spectators while meeting the demanding requirements of high-definition sports broadcasting and energy-efficient stadium operation.
The upgrade therefore focused on more than replacing existing fixtures. It was designed as a complete modernization of the Bird’s Nest’s main sports lighting system.
High-Performance LED Lighting Designed for Major Sporting Events
Unilumin Sports supplied RGBAW full-color LED sports lights for the upgraded system. The new lighting system delivers a system efficacy of at least 130 lm/W, with a CRI above 90, flicker below 5%, and a 5700K color temperature. These specifications provide the lighting quality and visual consistency required for professional sports environments and major international broadcasts.
The system design also references internationally recognized requirements and standards associated with World Athletics, FIFA, UEFA, and CIE, supporting the Bird’s Nest’s role as a venue for high-level sporting events. With an LED light source lifetime of more than 100,000 hours, the new system also provides a significant improvement in long-term reliability compared with the stadium’s previous lighting technology.
High-Performance LED Lighting Designed for Major Sporting Events
The Bird’s Nest project also demonstrates Unilumin Sports’ approach to sports lighting as an integrated system rather than simply a collection of lighting fixtures. Alongside the new LED sports lights, the project includes an upgraded intelligent power distribution system and an integrated control platform connecting sound, lighting, power, and display systems. This integrated architecture gives stadium operators greater control over lighting operations and allows the system to adapt to different event and operating requirements. For a modern stadium, intelligent control is increasingly important. It can help simplify system management, improve operational efficiency, and provide greater flexibility when venues switch between different sporting events and operating scenarios.
32% Lower Energy Consumption
One of the most measurable outcomes of the project is its improvement in energy efficiency. The total power of the main stadium lighting system has been reduced from 1,493.2 kW to 1,014 kW, cutting energy consumption by approximately 32%.
Based on an estimated 1,500 operating hours per year, the upgraded system is expected to save approximately:
- 718,800 kWh of electricity per year
- 32.1% in annual energy consumption
- Approximately 39.92 metric tons of CO₂ emissions annually
- Nearly RMB 720,000 in annual electricity costs
The move from metal halide technology to LED lighting also eliminates mercury-containing light sources and significantly extends the expected service life of the lighting system. For the major stadium, these improvements are not only about reducing electricity consumption. They can also help lower long-term maintenance requirements and support more sustainable venue operations.
A Milestone for Unilumin Sports
Becoming the exclusive sports lighting supplier for the Bird’s Nest represents another significant step in that journey.
It demonstrates that Chinese sports lighting technology is increasingly capable of meeting the technical, operational, and sustainability requirements of internationally recognized stadiums. From the Bird’s Nest to the world stage, Unilumin Sports continues to develop professional sports lighting solutions for venues where performance matters.