Amsterdam, Haarlem testing new turf that reduces heat stress for athletes

Amsterdam and Haarlem are going to install new artificial turf fields that will be more suited to handle the hot weather of the future. The pitches were made in a way that the people using them are less affected by the heat. Rainwater is collected under the fields, which can be used during dry periods to cool the pitch in warm weather. Artificial turf fields can become extremely hot in the summer, reaching up to 70 degrees, and rain showers are becoming increasingly intense and prolonged.

“We will have to deal with extreme heat more regularly in the future. “That’s why we need to adapt our sports fields to ensure they remain playable,” said Amsterdam’s alderman for sports, Sofyan Mbarki. “These new fields can be used almost year-round, unlike the old ones, which means more opportunities for sports.”

The two cities are going to lay a maximum of 270 of these innovative artificial turf fields over the next 10 years. Some will replace existing artificial turf, while others are entirely new. In addition to artificial turf fields, natural grass fields will also remain in the sports parks, according to Mbarki’s spokesperson.

Early next year, three test fields will be set up. Two in Amsterdam and one in Haarlem. These are small practice fields where all innovations will be tested on a smaller scale. Based on those experiences, pilot projects with full-size football or hockey fields that meet all technical sports standards will follow.

The aim is to incorporate a method of generating energy and reducing CO₂ emissions on some of the new fields as well. The technologies for this are still being developed.

Amsterdam currently has 40 sports parks, spread out all over the city. The two municipalities together own around 400 hectares of sports fields.