Houston Stadium races to install FIFA-approved grass pitch in 25 days
Houston Stadium, previously known as NRG Stadium, is undergoing a rapid transformation for the upcoming World Cup. The venue has just three-and-a-half weeks to install a natural grass pitch that meets FIFA’s strict requirements. The process began on 1 May when the Houston host committee took control of the stadium’s field. The bid to make Houston a host city started nearly seven years ago, but the final push to prepare the pitch is now in full swing.
The new grass surface will use a mix of Kentucky bluegrass and perennial rye grass. The sod, grown for 18 months in Denver, Colorado, will soon arrive in Houston. Once there, it will be laid over a carefully constructed base: a perma void layer, a geotextile layer, an irrigation system, a sand layer, and finally, the sod on plastic.
To speed up growth and ensure quality, specialised grow lights arrived in Houston on Friday. The pitch must be ready in time for a FIFA testing match during the second week of June. Only after passing this inspection will the stadium be cleared for World Cup games. The stadium’s name has been changed to Houston Stadium for the tournament. If the pitch passes FIFA’s inspection, it will host matches in one of football’s biggest events. The host committee has less than a month to complete the work and secure approval.
