Leeds United FC
Services
Project summary
- Tournament support
- Matchday testing
- FIFA quality testing
STRI was appointed by Leeds United Football Club to deliver comprehensive pitch testing and agronomic consultancy throughout the 2024/25 season. As a FIFA-accredited organisation for natural grass surfaces and fully qualified BASIS and FACTS consultants, STRI’s technical expertise were engaged to help ensure the pitch met elite performance standards.
Regular quantitative pitch performance testing was carried out with the results being used to inform the club’s agronomic maintenance strategy. This included full FIFA quality testing as well as bespoke assessments tailored to Leeds United’s specific needs. Additional tests included water infiltration rate analysis, compaction severity measurements using a long-stem French penetrometer, and chemical analysis of the rootzone to evaluate soil nutrient availability.
Monthly matchday testing took place at Elland Road, with detailed reports delivered to the grounds team. These reports helped assess how match week/day maintenance inputs affected pitch characteristics and playing performance. The data collected throughout the season was also shared with player performance staff ahead of fixtures and used to guide long-term decision-making.
the
challenge
High usage of the pitch during the winter led to challenging growing conditions. The added pressure of public and media scrutiny meant that the pitch needed to be maintained at an elite level, regardless of environmental stress.
the
solution
STRI’s consultants worked closely with the club’s grounds team to refine the maintenance regime, including reducing all non-essential usage during the winter months. The introduction of LED grow light rigs and an enhanced maintenance programme helped support turf recovery and growth during the most demanding period of the season.
A variety of other performance tests were undertaken throughout the year. These included experimental approaches to measure the effects of specific maintenance practices, such as solid tine aeration and air injection and how this correlates with surface hardness and deeper compaction layers. This insight allowed the team to adapt their maintenance strategy based on how the pitch responded to each intervention.
the
results
The data and insights gathered during the season now inform future maintenance and management strategies, ensuring the pitch continues to meet the demands of elite-level football and player safety standards.
Following Leeds United’s promotion to the Premier League at the end of the 2024/25 season, the methodologies and recommendations provided by STRI will support the club in maintaining top-tier pitch quality. Building a close working relationship with the talented grounds team has been a highlight of the season, and we look forward to continuing our partnership next year.
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