Perfect Turf: The Star Player at the Coming World Cup

Although many still do not see it this way, we are already counting down to celebrate the next worldwide soccer competition, which will be a special edition as it marks the first time this type of sporting event will have three host countries: Mexico, the United States and Canada. The next World Cup will kick off on June 11, 2026, meaning we are just 218 days away as of today. Although it is still a few months away, the truth is that time moves quickly, and when it comes to offering a flawless pitch, it is just enough time, due to the multiple factors that must be considered.

The turf is not just the playing surface. It plays a fundamental role because the history of soccer is written on it. Can you recall a moment when a pitch issue led to a different score than expected? The field must present a pristine image for the match broadcasts, but above all, it must ensure total safety for players (it must not be too slippery or too firm to obstruct the rotation of the cleats and thus cause possible twisting in the joints) and enable the fluidity of the matches (the ball must bounce and roll evenly).

For this upcoming tournament, the turf in the different stadiums in the three countries must remain in optimal condition from the opening match of the event until its culmination, on July 19th, considering the fact that we will be facing the longest event ever (as there will be more teams than in previous years, increasing the total number of matches from 64 to 104).

What are the conditions of Mexico’s stadiums?

According to the organization that oversees international soccer, three stadiums in Mexico have been selected to host matches for this historic edition: the BBVA Stadium, in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon; Estadio Akron, in Guadalajara, Jalisco; and Estadio Banorte (formerly the Estadio Azteca), in Mexico City. Below is a summary of each venues’ status:

BBVA Stadium

Scheduled to host four matches. Earlier this year, its field was renovated using hybrid technology (developed by the University of Tennessee) that combines synthetic fibers with natural roots for enhanced stability and recovery, in addition to having a deep drainage and artificial ventilation systems, certified by laboratories in the United States and Scotland. It is the newest installation of the three venues, inaugurated in August 2015.

Akron Stadium

Also set to host four matches. Its playing surface features advanced technology and Bermuda North Bridge grass with a silica sand profile (certified by the organization that oversees international soccer), which currently presents no issues. It also includes automated drainage, forced ventilation and humidity sensors. By next year, the stadium will be 16 years old, having opened in 2010.

Banorte Stadium

This is the only stadium in Mexico assigned five matches, including the opening game and a knockout-stage match in the round of 16. It is not easy to imagine all eyes on this field, which is the oldest of the stadiums on this list, having first opened in 1966. According to the latest reports[1], its turf is undergoing renovations as part of a comprehensive remodel. In fact, heavy machinery is currently on-site, and its drainage system has just been assessed.

Challenges to Consider

Despite their different features and conditions of conservation, the Mexican stadiums that will be part of the next tournament have in common the priority objective of providing pitches that look perfect throughout the World Cup, even when they host continuous training schedules, which at certain times will be aggressive, causing significant levels of wear and tear. This is in addition to the 90 minutes (or more) of each match, where 22 players – skidding, kicking the ball, and initiating fast advances – will give their all on the field, which will also be stepped on by a central referee and two line referees per game, at least.

Beyond the wear caused by use, another crucial challenge is the turf’s constant exposure to all kinds of inclement weather, since extreme heat, humidity, and rain can significantly affect grass health. Moreover, stadium architecture often prevents uniform exposure to sunlight, wind, and rain, as stands and walls cast shadows over some areas while leaving others exposed. Turf can also develop diseases like fungi or mold at any time.

For this reason, greenkeepers, who are the professionals responsible for maintaining the turf in the stadiums' playing areas, recognize that tremendous daily maintenance work is necessary, and common in this type of facility. The playing surface requires aeration, irrigation, fertilization, and mowing, as well as strategies for rotation of use, replacement of damaged sections, and post-match repairs to enable accelerated recovery.

Although the use of grow lights and thermal blankets for grass, as well as temperature and humidity measurement sensors, are usually common, they are not enough to provide the care that is required in a major international soccer event. For the playing field to be perfect, more is needed. That's where innovative technologies come into the field.

Technology: The Root of a Healthy Playing Field

Modern technologies are essential for greenkeepers to keep pitches in top condition by enabling better decision-making. At Siemens, we offer Insights Hub, a cloud-based open IoT operating system that analyzes the condition of playing surfaces in stadiums and helps optimize maintenance while reducing costs and resource use.

This system automates irrigation, fertilization, and general turf maintenance in football stadiums, through IoT sensors that capture relevant data minute by minute. This data is transferred to Insights Hub, along with information from additional sources, such as weather forecasts and messaging services. The platform analyzes them based on specifically designed algorithms and transfers them to an application from which the greenkeeper can selectively manage pitch care based on the recommendations received through simple diagrams.

With this essential support, turf maintenance professionals can, for example, prevent and avoid grass diseases and ensure consistent and effective maintenance, without spending extra resources, by having intelligent and accurate decision-making.

Looking ahead to the tournament, where every detail matters, technology is the best ally to ensure stadium turf remains in optimal condition. Thanks to intelligent solutions like Insights Hub, field maintenance shifts from a reactive task to an initiative-taking, efficient, and sustainable strategy. In this way, football is not only played with passion, but also with innovation.

[1] "Progress of the Banorte Stadium is leaked and this is what the stands currently look like in remodeling," Northwest.