In elite football, a high-performing pitch is about much more than appearance. Every playing surface must provide consistency, support player welfare and withstand the demands of a busy fixture schedule. As a FIFA-accredited Natural Playing Surface Test Institute, STRI provides independent pitch testing to verify that natural and hybrid football pitches meet the performance standards […]
In discussion with Sarah Hosmer, Principal Consultant As the summer season arrives, a plethora of equine sport competitions are upon us. These events range from the grassroots pony club camps to the high-octane FEI (Fédération Équestre Internationale) World Championships for Seniors. The linking factor across all levels of the sport is the surface. Whilst easily overlooked, […]
In discussion with Glenn Kirby, Research Director A course manager asked a useful question this week, “Is it going to get hot enough to put a pause on dollar spot?” For UK conditions, the answer is almost certainly no. In most UK situations, hot weather does not push us beyond the dollar spot window. More often, […]
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 […]
Every summer, the world’s tennis fans turn their attention to the grass court season. From the opening events in Birmingham and Ilkley through to The Championships at Wimbledon, the demands placed on elite grass courts are unlike any other surface in professional sport. Tight turnaround times, varying weather conditions, intensive daily play and global broadcast […]
In discussion with Greg Whately, Principal Consultant Recent discussions surrounding injury trends in elite football continue to place the spotlight on pitch performance. But while surfaces are often drawn into the debate, the reality is significantly more complex. It could be said that modern football pitches are operating under greater pressure than at any point […]
In discussion with Hamish Gledhill, Senior Planning and Development Consultant Across the country, many local and community sports clubs are facing increasingly complex, costly and onerous planning systems, leaving some considering selling their sites for development rather than facing the challenge of securing permission to improve their facilities. Any development has to balance several competing […]
In discussion with Glenn Kirby, Research Director Behind every round of golf is a profession that underpins the future of the sport. On this day, golf clubs and sports organisations worldwide will recognise that profession with ‘Thank a Greenkeeper Day’. The day is more than a hashtag; it’s a chance to recognise one of the […]
With spectators tuning in across the world and over half a million attendees making the pilgrimage to The Championships, Wimbledon every year, the effort required to ensure the grass courts are performing to their highest quality can often be overlooked. Across the two-week tournament, centre court needs to withstand 85 hours of play, so understanding […]
