For the first time in its almost six years, Mercedes-Benz Stadium will put down natural grass as it prepares to host two matches between four Premier League teams this summer.
Putting down the Bermuda turf will provide a chance for the stadium’s operations personnel to gather information for possible future events after Brighton plays Brentford and Newcastle plays Chelsea on July 26. The approximate cost of $300,000 will cover the transportation, installation, maintenance and removal.
“Inherently there are some challenges there, but we’re excited about it,” said Adam Fullerton, vice president of stadium operations for Mercedes-Benz Stadium. “Obviously our fans are going to come from all over; our associates are equally as excited for matches like this. This is world-class soccer coming to our stadium, coming to our city, and there’s a lot of pride with that. So we accept the challenge.”
The process of finding the proper turf started weeks ago. The focus was on turf farms in the Southeast that grow grass that reflects Atlanta’s climate and conditions. Four turf farms were contacted. A sod farm that is used by several NFL stadiums, including Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, was selected. Fullerton declined to say which farm will be used. The grass already is being cultivated and will be visited in the weeks before the game. Almost 100,000 square feet will be grown.
The promoter of the games has been briefed on the turf, who has been in communicating with the teams.
Because it is a one-time usage, this installation is called a “lay and play.” The sod is heavy and thick, about 1-1/2 inches, and is the type some use in their backyards. The thickness and weight makes it easier to lay down after it is rolled into the stadium.
Once the grass is ready to leave the farm, it will be rolled into large rolls and sent on 32 trucks to the stadium.
The grass won’t be in the stadium for more than six days and must be ready the day before the game because the teams will do a walk-through July 25.
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s groundskeeping crew has a lot of experience prepping the synthetic turf for various concerts and other events.
Similar to those events, they will protect the synthetic turf by first putting down a cover. On top of the covering will be a flooring, which will take about 12 hours to install. On top of the flooring will be a bio layer to mitigate potential damage if the sod leaks through. On top of the bio layer will be the rolls of sod. It will take about two days to put the grass in place. A third party who specializes in turf installation will be used to put down the turf. Seams between rolls will be eliminated by a machine specifically built for that purpose. It’s similar to tools used to eliminate seams in carpets.
Once the grass is in and the seams are eliminated, the cutting and manicuring will take place. It’s unlikely the roof will stay open because of the expected summer temperatures.
Because there are two games being played in the stadium and on the turf on the same day, there will be some grass held back in case any patching needs to be done.
Grow lights won’t be used because the turf won’t be in the stadium for long.
Once the games are played, the grass will be rolled back up and the various layers put away to get the stadium ready for the next event. Atlanta United will host Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup on July 29.
This shouldn’t be considered a test run the 2026 World Cup, which will include Mercedes-Benz Stadium as one of the hosts.
FIFA, which controls all aspects of the tournament, hasn’t announced which games will be at each site. If Mercedes-Benz Stadium were to host games in the group stages as well as a quarterfinal, the turf could be in the stadium for more than two weeks. FIFA likely will have its own turf-growth labs in North America.
But, if successful, these two games could help FIFA, as well as pave the way for Mercedes-Benz Stadium to host more friendlies or games of importance.
“We’re going to try to learn as much as we can,” Fullerton said. “We’re going to bring in a couple of those experts and study the surface while it’s here in our building, even though it’s a short period of time, and it’s about the same type of month that the World Cup will be in the building. So we’re going to kind of take the scientific approach and collect as much information because it is an opportunity to learn.”
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Atlanta United’s 2023 MLS schedule
Feb. 25 Atlanta United 2, San Jose Earthquakes 1
March 4 Atlanta United 1, Toronto FC 1
March 11 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte FC 0
March 18 Atlanta United 5, Portland 1
March 25 Columbus 6, Atlanta United 1
April 1 Atlanta United 1, New York Red Bulls 0
April 8 Atlanta United 1, New York City FC 1
April 15 Atlanta United 2, Toronto FC 2
April 23 vs. Chicago Fire FC, 4:30 p.m., FS1
April 29 at Nashville SC, 1:30 p.m., Fox
May 6 at Inter Miami CF, 7:30 p.m.
May 13 vs. Charlotte FC, 7:30 p.m.
May 17 vs. Colorado Rapids, 7:30 p.m.
May 20 at Chicago Fire FC, 8:30 p.m.
May 27 at Orlando City SC, 7:30 p.m.
May 31 vs. New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m., FS1
June 3 at Los Angeles FC, 10:30 p.m.
June 10 vs. D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
June 21 vs. New York City FC, 7:30 p.m.
June 24 at New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
July 2 vs. Philadelphia Union, 4 p.m., Fox
July 8 at CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
July 12 at New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m.
July 15 vs. Orlando City SC, 7:30 p.m., FS1
Aug. 20 at Seattle Sounders, 10:30 p.m.
Aug. 26 vs. Nashville SC, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 30 vs. FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 2 at FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Sept. 16 vs. Inter Miami CF, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 20 at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 23 vs. CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 at Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 7 vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 21 at FC Cincinnati, TBA
