SOCCER
SFM : What turfgrass will be used for these matches ? Leonard : This will be Kentucky bluegrass , which is a little different from what we typically have on our stadium field , but closer to what the soccer players are used to and what they like . Ball roll and ball bounce are important . It ’ s still going to be the middle of summer , and it will still be hot . We are keeping our fingers crossed that it won ’ t be too hot . It will be a good test . We are looking ahead to 2026 , the FIFA World Cup , and what will be the best surface .
Photo by Daniel Burke Photography
weekly trips to the farm to check on the grass , make any recommendations , tweak anything , and make any last-minute adjustments ; and then we will be ready for installation a week prior to the first match . Following Beyonce , we will remove the stage , remove the flooring , put the sod in , maintain that for a week prior , and host the matches . Then , the morning after the last match , we will roll the sod back up and get ready for Luke Combs . As with anything we do , details matter . When you get to this level , you just have to make sure you cross your t ’ s and dot your i ’ s .
SFM : You will be hosting three Premier League matches in the span of two days . What does the preparation entail leading up to the event , and also on game day , to ensure the best and safest playing surface ? Leonard : This starts months ago when the event is first announced , and then we go from there . It ’ s going to the sod farm and seeing what we have to work with . And it ’ s working with great partners — FMC and Tuckahoe Turf Farms .
Going into the weekend of the event , there will be training on Friday . Saturday — with one game — will be fairly simple , weather dependent . Sunday will be a little bit of a challenge having two games . We have the first game in the afternoon , so there will be pre-game waterings to keep the surface integrity and keep the ball speed up . That ’ s a little different from what we normally do . Then , of course , we will preserve the surface and make sure it is in top shape for the second match . Any athlete that hits our playing surface wants to be on the best possible surface , so we try to achieve that .
SFM : Speaking of the World Cup , how does hosting the Premier League Summer Series help you prepare for 2026 ? Leonard : I think the biggest thing in 2026 is how our fields are going to expand — the length and the width . Unfortunately , that ’ s something that ’ s not easily done in any NFL stadium without removing some rows of seats , but it ’ s something we are gearing up for . The technology and techniques are always evolving . We were in Qatar in November for the World Cup , and we learned quite a bit from those folks and seeing how they do things ; then we can add our little spin to it . We all work together ; this is not a competition to see who can have the best field . One thing is for certain , FIFA wants all of the venues to have the best field — they want them all to be great . That collaborative approach between us and FIFA is how we achieve that . To do these international soccer matches and bring in the English Premier League , get their feedback to see what works and what doesn ’ t work , will be great for us .
SFM : Beyond the 16 host stadiums , what will the practice site situation look like for the World Cup ?
Photo by Daniel Burke Photography sportsfieldmanagementonline . com August 2023 | SportsField Management
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