STRI Group is playing a central role in the delivery of world-class playing surfaces for the FIFA World Cup 2026 as part of the Elite Pitch Alliance (EPA), a specialist consortium formed to design, construct and manage tournament-ready pitches across North America.
The Elite Pitch Alliance (EPA) brings together industry-leading expertise from STRI Group, DA Hogan, Dr Andy McNitt and Fields Inc, combining specialist knowledge in sports surface design, construction and performance management. Together, the consortium delivers fully integrated, data-led solutions to meet the complex demands of hosting elite-level football in multi-use stadium environments.
The experienced partners within the EPA have, between them, a long-standing track record of collaboration, having supported major tournaments since 2010, including FIFA World Cup competitions, The NFL, UEFA Champions League and Europa League fixtures, as well as CAF tournaments.
As part of its role within the consortium, STRI Group has led the design of the overlay solution for key tournament venues, including New York New Jersey Stadium, Seattle Stadium and BC Place Vancouver Stadium. Each venue presents unique challenges, requiring tailored solutions to ensure surfaces meet the performance standards required for international competition.
In addition, Kansas City Stadium and Philadelphia Stadium are existing natural turf fields which require modification to convert to FIFA-compliant fields of play. These venues present a different set of challenges, requiring careful adaptation of existing infrastructure to meet tournament standards.
Richard Stuttard, Group Director commented, “We’re delighted to be part of the Elite Pitch Alliance and to contribute our expertise to the upcoming FIFA World Cup. The tournament’s geographic spread and its multi-use venues present unique challenges, and this is where our team excels. Our experience and technical knowledge come to the forefront, ensuring high-performing, consistent playing surfaces under the most demanding conditions.”
With many host venues designed for American football, traditional overlay pitch solutions are often unsuitable for elite football due to limitations in drainage, durability and surface consistency. Through EPA, STRI Group is helping to deliver natural turf systems that can be installed with minimal disruption, while meeting FIFA’s strict performance requirements.
In addition to design, STRI Group will provide ongoing support throughout construction, including performance testing, pitch management planning and on-site consultancy. This ensures that every surface is prepared, maintained and delivered to the highest possible standard throughout the competition.
EPA’s involvement builds on decades of experience supporting major international tournaments, reinforcing its position at the forefront of global sports surface design and performance.
