SIS Pitches Construct New Hybrid Soccer Field at Iceland’s National Soccer Stadium

SIS Pitches are proud to share the completed installation of a bespoke new hybrid field system at Laugardalsvöllur, Iceland’s national soccer stadium in Reykjavik.

The full design and construction of the new field will maximize elite-level soccer in Iceland, where the country’s subpolar climate has historically made high-standard playing surfaces difficult to maintain. The completion of the project builds on SIS Pitches’ status as the leading field builder in Iceland following its successful construction of the field at FH Hafnarfjorour in 2023.

Laugardalsvöllur’s full hybrid grass field benefits from three of SIS Pitches’ advanced concepts, each working in unison to keep the surface play-ready all year round. The SIS Grass Hybrid system features a 95% natural grass surface reinforced with polyethylene fibres to deliver significantly more playing hours than a fully natural field, which is especially important given Iceland’s harsh temperatures, high rainfall and limited daylight.

Installed below the field itself is the SIS Aqua pop-up irrigation system and the SIS Heat undersoil heating system, which optimizes the temperature of the rootzone, encouraging better root growth and reduce the risk of long-term damage. The installation is completed by a bespoke irrigation and undersoil heating system.

Part-funded by the city of Reykjavik, the project was completed over a period of three months. During this period, the installation team successfully navigated challenges posed by snow, ice and temperatures as low as -16°C. Access to the site was also limited in December – a time when good daylight in Iceland can be as little as two hours per day.

After excavating the existing playing area 450mm down to a formation level, the new drainage, irrigation, and undersoil heating systems were installed. This was followed by the installation of a lower root zone, an upper root zone and the playing surface itself, which benefits from the structured profile underneath.

The hybrid grass fibers were installed to a depth of 180 mm and stitched at 2 cm x 2 cm spacing, increasing the long-term durability of the playing surface. All materials used through the profile of the field were tested before being independently verified by leading sports agronomists, OBI Sports, to ensure conformity with industry standards and high performance over their lifespan. The dedicated support provided by SIS Pitches’ team of experts to the stadium’s grounds staff during the grow-in stage ensured no issues were encountered during the quick turnaround from seeding to the first competitive fixture.

Carlos Reis, Director at SIS Pitches, said: “The project was a challenging one due to Iceland’s tough climate, but we always thrive on overcoming challenges. It was a real privilege to bring an elite-level playing surface to Iceland’s national stadium. The configuration of the new hybrid field will power more play all year round, helping the country to further grow its soccer profile on the international stage.