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Amenity Forum Updating Event highlights shared sector priorities

May 22, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Amenity Forum Updating Event highlights shared sector priorities Over 60 members and industry representatives attended the latest Amenity Forum Updating Event, bringing together expertise from across the amenity sector. The event featured a wide-ranging programme covering the future regulatory landscape, practical approaches to weed, pest and disease management, and the increasing importance of demonstrating responsible […]

How technology is changing natural grass management in modern stadiums

May 22, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

How technology is changing natural grass management in modern stadiums As stadiums lose access to natural light, turf management is becoming more controlled, precise and data-informed. Modern stadiums are changing. Enclosed roofs, higher stands and multi-use schedules are reducing access to natural light, while expectations around pitch quality remain as high as ever. With stadiums […]

Amenity Forum Updating Event highlights shared sector priorities

May 22, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

How technology is changing natural grass management in modern stadiums

May 22, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

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Amenity Forum Updating Event highlights shared sector priorities

May 22, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Amenity Forum Updating Event highlights shared sector priorities

Over 60 members and industry representatives attended the latest Amenity Forum Updating Event, bringing together expertise from across the amenity sector.

Amenity Forum Updating Event highlights shared sector priorities

The event featured a wide-ranging programme covering the future regulatory landscape, practical approaches to weed, pest and disease management, and the increasing importance of demonstrating responsible and evidence-based practice across the sector.

Agenda items included updates on the forthcoming GB glyphosate consultation, the latest data on pesticide inspection visits from HSE, integrated pest management approaches, digital record keeping and the role of technology in supporting professional standards and compliance. Speakers also explored the practical implications of evolving environmental expectations and regulatory scrutiny for operators across the amenity sector.

There was a shared focus on professionalism, practical delivery and ensuring the sector continues to engage positively with evolving environmental and regulatory expectations. The event also reinforced the importance of collaboration and collective industry engagement around key issues such as the GB glyphosate consultation and the continued development of integrated pest management approaches.

Richard Stow, Managing Director of Weedfree Ltd, sponsor of the first Updating Event of 2026, said:

“The event highlighted both the complexity of vegetation management and the importance of sharing knowledge and practical experience across the sector. It was encouraging to see such constructive discussion around integrated approaches, innovation and maintaining high professional standards.

A clear theme was the importance of collaboration across the sector to ensure that future policy discussions and regulatory decisions remain practical, proportionate and informed by operational realities on the ground.”

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How technology is changing natural grass management in modern stadiums

May 22, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

How technology is changing natural grass management in modern stadiums

As stadiums lose access to natural light, turf management is becoming more controlled, precise and data-informed.

How technology is changing natural grass management in modern stadiums

Modern stadiums are changing. Enclosed roofs, higher stands and multi-use schedules are reducing access to natural light, while expectations around pitch quality remain as high as ever. With stadiums hosting more events and recovery windows becoming shorter, maintaining consistent natural grass pitches has become a growing operational challenge for grounds teams and venue operators alike. In some environments, natural conditions are no longer available at all.

To respond to these challenges, stadium operations are increasingly moving towards more controlled environments supported by technology. Developed in collaboration with the Technical University of Munich, Rhenac®’s patented CLS® (Complete Light Spectrum®) technology was created to support natural and hybrid sports turf in these conditions. Rather than relying on fixed lighting schedules, the system adjusts light spectrum and intensity in relation to plant needs and surrounding environmental factors, helping grounds teams make more informed decisions based on pitch conditions.

The technology is available across both mobile systems and integrated stadium installations, supporting everything from targeted treatment areas to complete stadium coverage. It is already used in leading venues including the underground pitch system at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Schalke 04’s VELTINS Arena and Leigh Sports Village — some of the most demanding environments for natural grass in professional sport.

This approach has now been recognised with two “Winner” distinctions at the German Innovation Awards 2026 in the categories Circular Impacts and Lighting Solutions. Organised by the German Design Council, the award recognises innovations that combine practical relevance with long-term value across the sports industry. The jury brings together independent experts from business, science and industry.

The technology was also shortlisted for the Smarter Sports Awards 2026 in the category Smarter Venue & Infrastructure Innovation, recognising its contribution to the future of stadium infrastructure and operations.

Reflecting on the award, Horst Theisen, CEO of Rhenac®, said:

“What this recognition highlights is how quickly expectations around natural playing surfaces are evolving. Maintaining natural grass now depends as much on managing the environment as reacting to weather conditions.

Across the industry, we’re moving away from fixed routines towards more responsive and data-led turf management. That development is already underway and will continue shaping how modern stadiums operate in the future.”

By aligning light application more closely with plant needs, CLS® supports more consistent pitch quality while enabling smarter use of energy and other inputs. As stadium operations continue to evolve, this level of precision is becoming essential for maintaining high-quality natural playing conditions in demanding stadium environments.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

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Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Amenity Forum Updating Event highlights shared sector priorities

How technology is changing natural grass management in modern stadiums

Amenity Forum Updating Event highlights shared sector priorities

How technology is changing natural grass management in modern stadiums

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Amenity Forum Updating Event highlights shared sector priorities

Amenity Forum Updating Event highlights shared sector priorities

How technology is changing natural grass management in modern stadiums

How technology is changing natural grass management in modern stadiums

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