Danube Arena Swimming Pool, Budapest
Client
Duna Aréna
Project location
Danube, Hungary
Project date
2018
Project Overview: Lighting the Danube Arena
The Danube Arena in Budapest, constructed for the 2017 FINA World Aquatics Championship, faced a tight two-year completion deadline after the event's relocation from Mexico to Hungary. Designed to host up to 15,000 spectators, the arena required advanced lighting solutions to meet international standards, particularly for HDTV broadcasting. Local firm BE LIGHT! collaborated with Thorn and Zumtobel from the project's inception to deliver a state-of-the-art LED lighting system, making the Danube Arena Hungary's first predominantly LED-lit sports venue.
Focus on the Lighting Solution
The Danube Arena’s lighting had to meet strict FINA standards for international competitions and HDTV broadcasts, requiring 5700K color temperature and flicker-free performance for ultra-slow-motion recording.
The system also had to withstand high humidity, chlorinated air, and extreme temperatures. With high ceilings, powerful and precisely controlled luminaires ensured uniform coverage.
A digital system managing over 15,000 addresses enables precise, energy-efficient control.
By using 100% LED technology — a first for a Hungarian sports venue — the Danube Arena now benefits from outstanding lighting quality, sustainability, and minimal maintenance.
The system also had to withstand high humidity, chlorinated air, and extreme temperatures. With high ceilings, powerful and precisely controlled luminaires ensured uniform coverage.
A digital system managing over 15,000 addresses enables precise, energy-efficient control.
By using 100% LED technology — a first for a Hungarian sports venue — the Danube Arena now benefits from outstanding lighting quality, sustainability, and minimal maintenance.
“A lighting system had to be designed and implemented which both had to meet the requirements of the world-class event and, after the event, had to perform economically in everyday life.”
István Zentai, Technical Director for the FINA World Championships Budapest
Focus on the Products Used and Their Benefits
Thorn’s Altis LED floodlights (280 units) were installed in the main arena, delivering instant full output, flexible optics, and flicker-free lighting for HDTV broadcasts. Their lightweight design also reduced roof load and construction costs.
For the training pool, 200 Zumtobel CRAFT high-bay luminaires ensure durability, excellent heat management, and a long service life under tough, humid conditions.
Additionally, 569 Zumtobel PERLUCE ceiling lights provide uniform, glare-free illumination in entrances and public areas, improving safety and comfort.
Together, these solutions offer top energy efficiency, low maintenance, and outstanding lighting quality for daily use and major events.
ALTIS
THE MOST POWERFUL LIGHT, CONTROLLED
Altis is a powerful, flexible and easy to install RGBW LED floodlight. Ideal for a wide-range of sports and high mast area lighting applications, it delivers up to 256 000 lumens, with exceptional environmental resistance and excellent thermal and windage properties. As well as flicker-free operation for HDTV broadcasting, Altis offers a wide choice of outputs and precision optics, while minimising glare, intrusive light and sky glow from artificial light.
FIND MORE INSPIRATION
LIGHT THAT CAPTURES MOMENTS
Swimming Pool Lighting Projects