The state of artificial turf on soccer fields is back in the news due to its direct impact on security, match scheduling, and public investment. In recent days, federal decisions and public works in different municipalities have painted a picture in which injury prevention and compliance with technical standards are a priority.
The postponement of the meeting between the Rayo Vallecano B and RSD Alcalá Inauguratings and tenders are added to replace deteriorated surfaces, drainage and irrigation improvements, and even the use of robotic technology for maintenance. The focus is on ensuring that the facilities offer reliability and performance, while ensuring intensive use with fewer incidents.
Postponements and transfers due to turf deficiencies
El Sole Competition Judge of the RFEF has postponed the Second Federation clash between the Franjirrojo reserve team and the Alcalá team after verifying, after a technical inspection on September 30, holes, raised areas, bald spots and uneven surfaces on fields 3 and 4 of the Sports City. The resolution highlights the increased risk of injury and the impact on competitive integrity, so national matches will not be authorized on those grounds until they are repaired and re-inspected. The Alcalá Stadium announced that it will announce the new date shortly.
The situation is not isolated: a crossing of the Queen's Cup between the Rayo Vallecano Women's Foundation and Sport Extremadura has already been transferred to the Field 1 of the Ernesto Cotorruelo Sports Center for an identical reason, reinforcing the federative criterion of prioritizing land in optimal conditions.
Wave of renewals: Autol, Albacete and Murcia
In La Rioja, the municipal field of Autol, the apple tree, has a new surface after a construction project €280.386,89 (VAT included), 89% financed by the Riojan Government (€250.000) through an agreement with the City Council. The project included the removed from the previous mat, leveling of the base and installation of a state-of-the-art pavement, in addition to improvements in drainage and irrigation to extend the useful life. With capacity to 2.000 viewers and intense use since 2013, the renovation leaves the field ready for federated competitions, training and educational activities, within a regional infrastructure plan that exceeds the 13 millones de euros and also reaches Cenicero, Logroño, Navarrete, Rincón de Soto, Calahorra, Alfaro, Pradejón and Santo Domingo de la Calzada.
In Albacete, the City Council has approved the replacement of the grass of the Gines Melendez (Cuba Walk) by € 270.019,47 and a one-month execution period. The intervention affects an F-11 of 104 x 63 meters, with markings for two transversal 7-a-side football pitches. State-of-the-art grass will be installed on a regular base of 8 cm asphalt agglomerate, the irrigation cannons will be repaired, the perimeter drainage will be cleaned, and the equipment (goals, benches, and posts) will be renewed. In addition, 354 meters of perimeter railing to separate it from the public, with safety distances of 3,5 m on the sides and 3 m at the ends. In the same area, the council is promoting two new artificial turf fields (7-a-side football and 5-a-side football) for more than €372.000. It is expected install state-of-the-art turf on the existing basis.
Murcia, for its part, is putting out to tender the replacement of the carpet of the José Barnés Field with a base budget of € 408.789,57 and a period of three monthsThe project includes the removal of the current pavement, the repair and leveling of the surface, changing drainage grids, placing a waterproof sheet and draining technical base, and a new lawn with infill silica sand and cork. Lines will be marked for an 11-a-side football pitch and two cross-sectional 8-a-side football pitches. With more than 700 users Between clubs, educational centers, regional teams and other disciplines (including American football), the action seeks to strengthen the safety and durability of a highly demanded facility.
Advanced maintenance and cost control: the case of A Cañiza
The Council of A Cañiza undertakes works of In the field of Augas Férreas: decompacting, brushing, homogeneous redistribution of rubber and cleaning of metallic elements, for a budget of € 1.331The novelty is the incorporation of the TurfRob, a robot specifically for artificial turf with high-precision GPS, app control and rechargeable batteries, capable of programming up to five routines depending on the field's use. These tasks improve ground uniformity, reduce medium-term costs, and extend the pavement's life.
These tasks are added to the comprehensive reform carried out in 2024 in the same facility (€602.421,61), with replacement of 6.786m² synthetic grass, four light turrets of 18 meters, irrigation renewal, changing room improvements with biomass boiler, new access and perimeter works. The field reopened with a friendly between CF Cañiza Femenino and As Celtas de Vigo, consolidating a management model that combines structural investment and periodic maintenance.
The competition is also suffering: the example of Salamanca UDS
To play in synthetic surface not only requires facilities in impeccable condition; it also affects the performance of some equipment. Salamanca UDS has played 11 away matches on artificial turf in the Second Federation, with 33 points in play and only 8 added: two wins, two draws and seven losses, with 9 goals scored and 13 conceded. The difficulty for keep a clean sheet, a factor that has penalized its results.
After their last away win on synthetic over a year ago, the team has two more matches left on this surface: in the New Ganzábal (Langreo) and in To Ribela (Sarriana). Although the team usually scores, the competitive edge on artificial turf is reduced if defensive performance is not stabilized, a pattern that underlines the importance of tactical adaptation and terrain quality.
The actions described show a clear pattern: when artificial grass shows the passage of time or insufficient maintenance, the answer is to stop in time, investing in cutting-edge materials and strengthening conservation protocols. Between match suspensions to protect players, surface renovations in several cities, and the introduction of solutions like the TurfRob, the shared goal is to ensure security, homogeneity and continuity throughout the season.
