Strengthening, beautifying turfgrass on the pitch

Natural grass is used in 70% of all soccer stadiums and practice fields in Mexico. However, turfgrass managers lacked professional, research-based support for managing these fields.

University of Georgia Cooperative Extension was invited to help develop a certification system that trained more than 200 turfgrass professionals in Mexico’s premier soccer leagues — Liga MX, the top professional men’s soccer division, and Liga MX Fernenil, the country’s top women’s soccer division.

The U.S. turfgrass scientists composed a training program and educational materials that served as the foundation of the professional certification program to help elevate the standards of playing surfaces across the country. Problems addressed were climate, pests and diseases, proper use of equipment and turf management techniques, irrigation, plant nutrition and integrated pest management.

In 2023, more than 200 turfgrass professionals, field managers, stadium superintendents and staff were trained in turfgrass management in sport fields.

Soccer is the most watched sport globally. These efforts have helped elevate and strengthen natural grass playing surfaces for the leagues as well as preserve the business component. Natural turf has more of an aesthetic and visual appeal both for fans purchasing tickets and the television viewing market.

Project supported by Smith-Lever (3b&c) funds.