Ahead of the largest World Cup in history, featuring 104 matches, host nations are putting their full effort into stadium turf management. Eight years of research and cutting-edge technology have been mobilized to create the grounds that determine players' performance and injury risk, with customized turf management systems being established at each stadium.
According to foreign media reports Wednesday, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has invested more than $5 million (about 7.5 billion won) to improve turf quality. The research, led by Professor John Sorochan of the University of Tennessee, also involved researchers from Michigan State University. Over the past eight years, the two universities have jointly developed a hybrid turf system to be applied at 16 World Cup stadiums across the United States, Canada and Mexico. FIFA requires the use of natural turf at host stadiums in principle and demands that the playing environments be as identical as possible across venues.
Of the 16 host stadiums, eight stripped out artificial turf and introduced natural turf-based systems ahead of the World Cup. Most are home stadiums of National Football League (NFL) teams. Seattle's Lumen Field built drainage and ventilation facilities and a sand layer on top of the existing artificial turf, then installed hybrid turf combining natural grass and artificial fibers.
The type of turf applied also differs depending on climate conditions. Researchers applied Bermuda grass, which is strong against heat and drought and recovers quickly after wear, in hot and humid regions. In relatively cool regions and indoor stadiums, they used a mix of perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass, which grows well even at low temperatures and provides a uniform playing surface. The turf supplied to stadiums and training grounds was cultivated at 10 specialized farms in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Stadiums where sunlight does not sufficiently reach the turf, such as those with retractable roof structures, use growth lighting because turf cultivation management is difficult. AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (Dallas Stadium during the tournament) has a retractable roof, but the amount of sunlight reaching the turf is limited. Researchers designed ceiling-mounted, movable LED growth lights for such domed stadiums where sunlight barely enters, in order to maintain the photosynthesis levels of natural turf. Engineers are currently managing turf conditions using pink growth lights installed on the ceiling.
Turf management technology is expected to expand in scope of use beyond the World Cup. The hybrid turf system, which can be installed and removed quickly, is seen as enhancing stadiums' multipurpose utility while also contributing to sustainable operations. Speaking to the Associated Press, Professor Sorochan said, "Using systems such as hydroponics that circulate water beneath the turf can reduce water use while enabling more sustainable stadium operations," adding, "It could bring major changes to how sports facilities are operated over the next five to 10 years."
