Work has started to overhaul Derby County’s playing surface at Pride Park Stadium in preparation for the start of the 2025/26 Sky Bet Championship campaign in August.
The existing pitch was originally reconstructed back in the summer of 2016 with a new hybrid system, which saw artificial SISGRASS fibres stitched into the playing surface.
The pitch has now come to the end of its lifespan and the club are undertaking a significant rebuilding project during the close season.
The first step has been made by beginning to remove the entire current pitch at Pride Park, including the SISGRASS, to build a whole new and clean surface from scratch.
Once the removal of the existing pitch has been completed, the build-up of the new surface will begin and will include in the installation of a new sprinkler system, artificial carpet around the edge of the pitch and goal sockets.
After the new grass has been germinated and grown in for three weeks, the fresh SISGRASS fibres will be stitched into the playing surface through special machinery.
This will then be followed by up to five weeks of additional growth before the pitch is able to be used for the first time.
The rebuild of the Pride Park pitch will be carried out by turf, soil and grass specialists Talbot Turf Supplies, who have a long-standing relationship with the club, and they will once again work closely with Derby County’s groundstaff throughout the project.
Work is also taking place at Moor Farm Training Ground to prepare the pitches utilised by the first team and Academy ahead of their returns for pre-season training at the end of June.
