Tag Archive for: Pitches

Bernhard and Company strengthens elite stadium pitches across Morocco

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Bernhard and Company strengthens elite stadium pitches across Morocco: Bernhard and Company has reinforced its position at the forefront of elite sports turf technology with the installation of SubAir Systems at three of Morocco’s most iconic football stadiums, supporting pitch performance during one of the most high-profile international tournaments on the football calendar.

SubAir Systems have now been installed at:

  • Grand Stade de Tangier – Tangier
  • Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium – Rabat
  • Stade Mohammed V – Casablanca
Bernhard and Company strengthens elite stadium pitches across Morocco

Bernhard and Company strengthens elite stadium pitches across Morocco

The installations form part of a wider strategy by stadium operators to ensure consistent, resilient, and controllable playing surfaces, capable of performing under intense scheduling, climatic pressure and global scrutiny.

With Morocco set to host a major international football tournament, pitch performance has become a critical focus. Heavy rainfall, tight turnaround times, and high expectations from players, broadcasters, and governing bodies place significant demands on natural turf systems.

For the turf teams, drainage and moisture control have been central priorities. “Drainage is absolutely critical for us,” explained Taha Hassoune, Pitch Manager at Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca. “In the past, we’ve experienced periods where rainfall overwhelmed traditional drainage systems, and that directly impacts firmness, playability, and preparation time.”

Hassoune added: “Installing SubAir Systems has made a huge difference. By having the ability to pull moisture down and out through the rootzone, we’re encouraging deeper, more fibrous roots.”

Steve Wilson, Bernhard and Company’s Global Business Development Manager for Turf Technologies, commented: “It has been fantastic to work alongside Taha and the other pitch maintenance teams to install the SubAir Systems and see them make improvements using the technology. If the pitches in Morocco become too soft, the SubAir allows them to dry the turf and regain firmness, which is a crucial element for football tournaments.”

He added: “The world’s best stadiums are investing in SubAir because it gives them control over moisture, firmness, recovery, and consistency, exactly when it matters most. In preparation for major international tournaments, there’s no margin for error, so having the safety net of SubAir is a huge advantage.”

Alongside SubAir, the stadiums are using Soil Scout sensors (distributed by Bernhard and Company in the UK, Ireland and more recently North America) to monitor moisture and temperature levels, helping the teams understand changes within the profile to allow for proactive response.

The projects were delivered in collaboration with Sports Turf Maroc, one of Morocco’s leading pitch builders, recognised for their willingness to innovate and experiment with new technologies.

To learn more about SubAir Systems, subsurface control, head online to: https://bernhard.co.uk/products/subair/

To find out more about Bernhard and Company and its full range of product offerings, head to: https://bernhard.co.uk/

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SIS Pitches prepares Estadio BBVA

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SIS Pitches prepares Estadio BBVA: Preparations ahead of the next World Cup are in full swing, with less than a year until the tournament commences on June 11, 2026.

The first to be hosted across three nations, 48 teams from six confederations will travel across North and Central America over the course of a month, visiting 16 venues to decide the winner. It’s arguably the most logistically complex football tournament ever held, laying the foundations for a similarly ambitious centenary edition in 2030.

SIS Pitches prepares Estadio BBVA

SIS Pitches prepares Estadio BBVA

Estadio BBVA will be one of three Mexican stadiums used in 2026. Having opened in 2015 as the new home to Liga MX team CF Monterrey, the ground and much of its surrounding infrastructure already met FIFA guidelines. Recognising the need for playing surface improvements, however, the management team sought a full refit of the pitch in early 2025 to prepare it for the crucial months ahead.

This is where SIS Pitches entered the frame.

Elite in 10 weeks

The client brief was simple: deliver a pitch fit for World Cup standards and specification, playable within 10 weeks.

This short window was particularly challenging given the changes agreed through early consultation. Estadio BBVA’s old playing surface was to be fully excavated to make way for a series of advanced drainage and aeration systems developed by SIS. Once installed, the top layer would then be fitted with a hard-wearing stitched hybrid pitch.

Working together, these components not only promote ideal root zone growth conditions but also allow stadiums to manage a packed calendar of fixtures and events without impacting the quality of their playing surface. This was especially important for Estadio BBVA, with a packed summer of events and a full domestic football season planned before and after the World Cup.

The planning and process

As with any large project of this kind, the key to successful delivery lies in good preparation.

SIS and Estadio BBVA agreed work would commence in May 2025, once CF Monterrey’s season concluded. From the early conversations held in January, this gave the SIS team only a few months to plan, design and procure everything needed to deliver the new pitch in time.

Much like the ’26 World Cup, the project demanded solid logistics management. Everything had to be ready to go in May – equipment, materials and teams – if the 10-week turnaround was to remain achievable. In preparation, SIS had two containers shipped from Europe to Mexico in advance of work commencing.

Excavation took just over two weeks. Once the area had been fully cleared down to the formation level, trenches were dug for irrigation pipework to be laid. The sand bed was then added, with gravel and a root bed on top, and finished with fresh natural turf, grown 100km away in the turf farm chosen by the client and FIFA.

Among the world’s most advanced playing surface

Estadio BBVA represents an important step forward for SIS, as the first major stadium to install three of our solutions at a single project.

The first was a new version of SIS Air – a turf aeration and rainwater management system designed to promote stronger, healthier grass. For Monterrey, the system was upgraded with enhanced moisture and temperature sensors, allowing the site team to adapt to local conditions in Mexico, where natural grass typically struggles to thrive.

This upgrade was designed to work alongside SIS Aqua, an advanced pitch irrigation system with 35 pop-up units that can be individually controlled. This creates an even distribution of water across the pitch, delivering a uniform playing surface.

Finally – and key to meeting the 10-week turnaround – the stadium was fitted with SIS Hybrid. The installation of hybrid grass can be completed in as little as three days using SIS Pitches’ leading X-Gen machines, which were launched globally in 2025.

All set for the coupe du monde

SIS’s planning and logistics has paid off, with the stadium now set for one of the world’s most-watched sporting events.

Delivery was completed by 24 July, meeting the 10-week deadline. The result is an elite-level football pitch now capable of performing to the highest standards all year round, supported by a suite of tools that optimise play regardless of local conditions.

Since completion, SIS has been on site to hand over to the Estadio BBVA site team, advising on regular maintenance and scheduling. Initial feedback has been positive.

“Transforming Estadio BBVA into a World Cup-ready venue in just 10 weeks was a milestone for SIS. By integrating SIS Air, SIS Aqua and our turf, we’ve delivered a surface that meets the highest standards of play and durability. It’s a proud moment – not just for our team, but for what this project represents in terms of innovation and collaboration.”

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SIS Pitches Reports Surge in Hybrid Pitch Installations

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SIS Pitches Reports Surge in Hybrid Pitch Installations: Leading sports surfaces specialist, SIS Pitches, has reported a 44% year-on-year increase in hybrid pitch installations, driven by demand from Premier League football clubs.

The growth in demand for durable, high-performance playing surfaces among football’s elite in preparation for the current season has meant that SIS stitched hybrid playing surfaces for half of the clubs in the Premier League this summer to help them prepare for the current season. The growing adoption of SIS Grass Hybrid at stadiums and training facilities has also been seen abroad, especially across Europe, the Middle East and in North America.

SIS Pitches Reports Surge in Hybrid Pitch Installations

SIS Pitches Reports Surge in Hybrid Pitch Installations

In the past six months alone, SIS Pitches has stitched hybrid surfaces at stadiums or training grounds for the likes of Aston Villa, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Leeds United and Nottingham Forest.

Notable among its list of successful projects this summer was the stitching of the new hybrid pitch at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium. The state-of-the-art playing surface was installed alongside a SIS Air AquaCycle aeration and water management system, making it one of the most advanced playing surfaces in the world.

SIS’ impact is equally felt across the Championship, League One, and League Two. Clubs such as Birmingham City, Wrexham, Derby County, Wycombe Wanderers, Stevenage, Mansfield, Colchester United, Swindon Town, Notts County and Stockport County have all benefited from SIS Grass Hybrid or SIS Synthetic artificial surfaces. Notably, Stockport County’s SIS Grass Hybrid pitch at its Edgeley Park stadium contributed to the club winning the EFL’s Grounds Team of the Season award two years running.

Non-league clubs are also embracing the latest hybrid pitch technology, recognising the performance and durability benefits seen at higher levels. Hednesford Town is one such example, having invested in a new SIS Grass Hybrid surface at its Keys Park home with the same aeration, vacuum drainage and water recycling and management system installed at Everton’s new world-class sporting, music and entertainment arena.

Earlier this summer, the leading sports surfaces specialist made a multi-million-pound investment in a new fleet of 16 hybrid pitch stitching machines, which allow faster installations and greater configurability for its global customer base. This investment also eases operational pressure for groundspeople working at multi-use stadia, whose narrowing timeframes to install hybrid grass pitches between matches and non-sporting events represents a major challenge. This need for speed and flexibility – without compromising quality – has been driven by clubs and franchises around the world seeking to maximise stadium revenue by hosting concerts, exhibitions and fixtures spanning multiple sports.

Ivo Lamot, CEO at SIS Pitches said: “Demand for our elite-level hybrid pitch technology has never been greater, not just among clubs in the Premier League but many others around the world.

“The rise of the multi-use stadium and the revenue it can generate means many forward-thinking clubs are looking to install or replace their playing surface in a much tighter timeframe than before. Having invested significantly in our advanced stitching capabilities, we’re best placed to meet those needs, which is resulting in an increase in projects from new and existing clients.

“Furthermore, with the recent launch of our new Game-Ready Hybrid pre-stitched turf product, means we can harvest and transport turf with the hybrid fibres already within the profile. This means a ready-to-play, reinforced surface can be installed in an exceptionally quick timeframe.

“One of the best things about hybrid pitch technology is its accessibility at all levels of competition. We’re seeing an increase in interest from clubs further down their respective countries’ football pyramids, eager to benefit from the consistency and durability it brings. We’re fully expecting this growth trajectory to continue well into next year and beyond.”

For more information on SIS Pitches, visit www.sispitches.com

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SIS Pitches Acquires Both DrainTalent and HeatTalent

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SIS Pitches Acquires Both DrainTalent and HeatTalent: Global leader in sports surfaces SIS Pitches has acquired a majority stake in DrainTalent, a Netherlands-based business specialising in circular soil management systems, and HeatTalent, an innovative and sustainable, electric undersoil heating.  

This latest acquisition cements SIS Pitches’ position as the most comprehensive provider of pitch construction and maintenance by incorporating two further sub-surface technology systems at the cutting-edge of soil science within their already comprehensive range of add-on systems.

SIS Pitches Acquires Both DrainTalent and HeatTalent

SIS Pitches Acquires Both DrainTalent and HeatTalent

DrainTalent’s patented, flagship product – which shares the same name as the company – is a unique, sustainable soil management system that regulates moisture levels in soil by extracting water from the top layer and reintroducing it from below. This keeps grass healthier and improves recovery after use, resulting in less fixture cancellations.

Using the system’s sensors and climate information provided in the company’s app, grounds teams can manage their playing surface conditions remotely via a connected device. Working this way, a sports club can drastically reduce its water consumption while also promoting natural grass growth. With installations at both amateur and elite-level, DrainTalent has been proven effective across the most challenging playing conditions, guaranteeing optimal conditions all year round.

The acquisition also includes HeatTalent, pioneers of innovative electrical undersoil heating systems, some of which are already being used within the Eredivisie, having been installed at FC Utrecht. One of HeatTalent’s lead technologies include grid heating, a wired, uninsulated stainless-steel grid that heats the soil at much quicker speeds using low voltage and high frequency current pulses.

SIS Pitches’ acquisitions come off the back of impressive organic growth in recent years, with revenue up by 30% over 2024/25. In response, the company has opened new offices in the USA, Saudi Arabia, Georgia and Poland to meet the needs of its growing client base.

The acquisitions are also the latest step in an ongoing growth strategy, which seeks to invest in forward-thinking businesses that add a competitive edge to its existing portfolio. DrainTalent was a natural choice in this respect, with the company boasting its own Research and Innovation Centre. This facility – located next to the manufacturing site – is used to validate product performance, with all trials audited by a local independent consultancy.

George Mullan, Executive Chairman of SIS Pitches, said: “DrainTalent has an exciting range of products that complement what we do as a business, backed by data and the latest industry insights. It’s a company that aligns with our vision to deliver exceptional sports surfaces at every level of competition across the world. These acquisitions are an important step for our long-term growth, adding an extra dimension of performance for both new and existing customers.”

Ivo Lamot, CEO of SIS Pitches, added: “These acquisitions mark an exciting step forward. For existing clients, we’re unlocking enhanced pitch longevity, reducing water usage and maintenance costs, ensuring greater year-round playability. Similarly, DrainTalent clients will now have access to premium surface technology and a seamless end-to-end service through SIS. This combined offering is unmatched in the market.”

Arno Reimert, Managing Director at DrainTalent believes the investment from SIS will be key to the system’s long-term success: “Our shareholders and management see great potential in cooperation with the SIS team to grow global sales and development of the DrainTalent company and its products. With SIS’s proven installation expertise and global reach, we’re now positioned to deliver even greater value – from sustainability gains and lower lifetime costs to a seamless experience for facility owners and grounds teams. It’s a powerful combination that takes our system to the next level.”

Recognising the product’s success and brand visibility, DrainTalent will continue to operate under its current name, as an affiliated company within SIS Pitches.

For more information about DrainTalent, please visit: draintalent.com

To find out more about HeatTalent, go to: heattalent.com

For more details about SIS Pitches, visit: sispitches.com 

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SIS Pitches Makes Landmark Investment

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SIS Pitches Makes Landmark Investment: Sports surfaces specialist SIS Pitches has made a multi-million-pound investment into a fleet of 16 new hybrid pitch stitching machines.

Developed to meet growing demand for faster installations and greater configurability, the new state-of-the-art machines feature patented technologies that increase the rate and efficiency of fibre injection on grass-based sports surfaces. Once installed these fibres then accelerate recovery times and reinforce a playing surface by promoting stronger, healthier root systems.

SIS Pitches Makes Landmark Investment

SIS Pitches Makes Landmark Investment

The investment will allow SIS Pitches to ease the operational pressure on multi-use stadia, whose narrowing timeframes to install hybrid grass pitches between matches and non-sporting events represents a major challenge. This need for speed and flexibility – without compromising in quality – has been driven by clubs and franchises around the world seeking to maximise stadium revenue by hosting concerts, exhibitions and fixtures spanning multiple sports.

In response, SIS Pitches’ new fleet can now complete a full hybrid pitch installation in a much shorter timeframe than before. This is possible thanks to a more compact design that allows two units to be transported in a single shipping container. Working together, the machines are able to reduce the typical installation period of a full-sized football pitch from an industry average of around ten days to just over three. This reduction is expected to be a major boost to ground staff and facility operators alike, in some cases offering a time saving of up to 75% compared to competitors.

The benefits have already been seen first-hand at the Hard Rock Stadium, home to the Miami Dolphins, where ahead of the Club World Cup a fresh turf stitched pitch was recently completed in just three and a half days.

Two different models have been developed as part of the investment. The first, named Pro-X is designed to cover larger pitches, such as those already completed at Borussia Monchengladbach, Celtic Park and the Racecourse Ground, home to Wrexham Football Club. The second model, Spin-X, is the first hybrid machine made specifically for cricket pitches, with a lower weight and unique made-to-measure wicket option.

Development of the 16 new SIS Grass Hybrid machines will further improve the industry-leading quality, flexibility and speed of SIS Pitches’ stitching capabilities, which are frequently used for major sporting competitions, including the World Cup, Rugby World Cup, NFL, Premier League, Saudi Pro League and several other top European leagues.

Each new machine boasts a patented drum mechanism that allows for faster stitching by enabling forward movement in larger increments than comparable machines. Meanwhile, the combination of a new cutting device and an innovative needle clamp system ensures precision and consistency in every stitch. Both of these features have been recently patented.

Thanks to a fully customisable stitching configuration the new machines can stitch to any depth from 45mm to 180mm. This marks a major step forward from competing technologies of this type, which are generally limited to only two set depths. SIS Grass Hybrid machines can also offer the widest range of spacing options available on the market, from 15×20, 20×20 and 30×20. This ultimately allows grounds managers to specify an installation with the right level of reinforcement for their athletes and climate, while also accommodating the needs of a stadium, pitch profile or budget.

One of the configurations made possible by the new machines is SIS Pitches’ pioneering shallow stitch concept – GameReady Hybrid – with fibres pre-stitched into turf/sod rolls at 45mm depths.

This is a fully tested and data-backed innovation that offers an industry first: the installation of a pre-stitched turf that can be harvested, transported and laid as a ready-to-play reinforced hybrid surface in a matter of days. Three stadiums in the United States have already made use of the unique GameReady system: MetLife in New York, Camping World in Orlando and the Bank of America in North Carolina.

Ivo Lamot, CEO at SIS Pitches said: “The development of our new hybrid pitch stitching machines is a major step forward for us as a business, and demonstrates our continued commitment to innovation and providing the very best playing surfaces. Further, the new machines have immediately raised the bar for stadium owners and operators seeking the quick and customisable installation of a new playing surface.

“Throughout our R&D process, we’ve been conscious that grounds staff working in stadia around the world now typically have much narrower windows in which they are expected to change their pitch. Through a combination of patented technology and stadium-oriented design, we’ve created a solution that meets the evolving needs of customers around the world. Plans are already in place for us to apply this concept to world renowned stadia looking for the fastest ever turnaround between a concert and competitive fixture.

“As a business, our purpose is to power more play. By increasing both the speed and quality of a typical hybrid pitch installation, we’re making stitched hybrid technology more accessible than ever before, ensuring multi-use stadia can host more sporting events and generate more revenue than ever before.”

The fleet of new machines will be deployed across the world throughout July, strategically located in areas of anticipated demand. There will be sets located in Europe, USA, Canada, South America, the Middle East, and also a set that can be moved around the rest of the world as required.

For more information on SIS Pitches’ sports pitch installation services, visit sispitches.com

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