Vancouver’s BC Place natural grass pitch receives positive reviews from World Cup players
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Grass at Vancouver’s BC Place gets thumbs up from World Cup stars - The Globe and Mail
The natural grass pitch at Vancouver’s BC Place stadium has successfully undergone its initial evaluation, earning approval from several prominent soccer players. This temporary playing surface was installed specifically for the World Cup, marking a significant conversion from the stadium’s usual artificial turf.
BC Place hosted its first men’s World Cup game on Saturday, where Australia secured a 2-0 victory over Turkey. The stadium is scheduled to host seven matches during the tournament and is one of eight venues that transitioned from artificial turf to natural grass to comply with FIFA’s requirements.
Player feedback on the new pitch
Aiden O’Neill, an Australian midfielder, praised the temporary surface. He previously played on the stadium’s regular pitch with New York City FC against the Vancouver Whitecaps in April. Following Saturday’s game, O’Neill described the World Cup playing surface as “unbelievable.”
He further commented on the pitch’s condition, stating, “I think they’ve done such a good job to have it in the condition that it’s in, and I think it will stay like that for the rest of the time.” O’Neill noted that the ball moved effectively, and the pitch was neither too hard nor too soft, suggesting it was “perfect.”
Australian goalkeeper Patrick Beach also provided positive feedback. He mentioned that his team inspected the field the day before the match, and all players gave favorable reviews. Beach observed that the pitch performed well during the game, especially when wet, allowing the ball to move effectively. He believed it was beneficial for both competing teams.
Turkey captain Hakan Calhanoglu echoed these sentiments, complimenting the stadium’s quality and the pitch’s excellent condition. He found it enjoyable to play on the surface. The match drew a full house of 52,497 spectators.
Development and fan experience
The current World Cup is noted for its wide geographical spread, with 16 host cities across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. This dispersion presented logistical challenges in ensuring that all pitches met FIFA’s strict performance standards, including those for ball bounce and shock absorption. The goal was to ensure consistent pitch behavior across three climatic zones and varying elevations.
To achieve this, FIFA engaged turfgrass scientists from the University of Tennessee and Michigan State University. These experts dedicated five years and US$5-million to research and develop the pitches for this year’s tournament. The chosen blend for BC Place was Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass, known for their resilience in temperate climates.
The grass was cultivated for a full year at a sod farm in Abbotsford, B.C., to ensure its maturity and consistency. It was then harvested and installed in May. The sod is rooted in a 340-millimetre layer of sand and peat, which rests on a foundation of polymer geocells, a waterproof liner, and a sensor network connected to irrigation and vacuum ventilation systems. Grow lights assist in grass recovery between matches, while industrial fans help prevent root rot and fungal growth.
Prior to the tournament, some soccer fans expressed skepticism about the North American pitches, concerned that the thin sod rolls and quick installation turnaround might result in poor or even dangerous playing surfaces.
Ahead of Vancouver’s inaugural World Cup match, thousands of soccer fans gathered in the downtown entertainment district for pre-game festivities. Many families participated in activities, including writing their names on a large art installation and playing table soccer. A group of Australians, some with drums, chanted “Aussie Aussie Aussie” outside a local establishment.
Tom Walker and Vanessa Zoghbi, who traveled from New York to watch Australia play Turkey, expressed their satisfaction with their decision to visit Vancouver. Zoghbi commented on the pleasant weather and the convenience of the stadium’s proximity to the city. Hakan Ceylan, a Turkish-born fan who flew from Germany, also praised Vancouver as a great city with beautiful natural surroundings. He mentioned that the last time Turkey participated in the World Cup was in 2022.
On Saturday, fans enjoyed sunny weather with temperatures hovering between 23 C and 29 C inland. To manage the crowds, traffic closures and detours were implemented downtown, along with a pedestrian-only corridor along False Creek, designated as the sole entry point for ticket holders into the stadium.
BC Place is scheduled to host Canada and Qatar on Thursday, following Canada’s 1-1 draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday, which secured the Canadian men’s national team its first World Cup point.
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Source: theglobeandmail.com
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