Weaving of Grass Pitch has Started at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium

The final stage of preparation of the football field at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium has began  – experts stabilize the root zone of the grass pitch by weaving it with polymer fibre.

Weaving technique has been developed in the Netherlands and ensures creation of a 100% natural grass pitch. It allows improving the drainage properties of the root zone, increases the wear resistance of the grass pitch by more than three times and reduces the risk of injury to athletes.

The weaving area will be 8,000 square meters. Two self-propelled tracked vehicles will be used for treating the football field. Specialized machinery operates as sewing machines: every two centimetres of soil is pierced to a depth of about 20 cm, and polymer threads are woven into the field with the use of special needles. The weaving will require about 48,000 km of artificial fibre. This is almost 8,000 km more than the length of the Earth's Equator.

The works on weaving will take two weeks. Once this is done, the specialists will continue to treat the grass pitch – trimming, watering, feeding with mineral fertilizers, including additional lighting and heating. The grass pitch will be preserved for winter season using a special technique.

Meanwhile, other activities are being carried out at the stadium. More than 80% of the translucent polycarbonate roofing and more than 30 000 stand seats have been installed. The works on landscaping around the stadium are continuing, specialists are carrying out the installation of internal and external utility networks, finishing works, and floor-to-ceiling glass panels are also being installed. More than 2000 workers are working on the stadium’s construction site.