ESTC Annual Congress 2026

SportsNation reports from the EMEA Synthetic Turf Council (ESTC) Congress, which this year was held in Seville

The theme of EMEA Synthetic Turf Council’s (ESTC) Congress this year was “impact”, which was reflected in presentations that highlighted the beneficial effects achieved by the synthetic sports turf industry. However, the theme also served as a reminder that valuable outcomes always go hand in hand with a responsibility to limit or mitigate possible side impacts No other sports surface has made such an impact on sports, sports participation and the financial bottom lines of venue owners and operators around the world than synthetic turf. While Social Return on Investment (SROI) calculations for sports and sports facilities do not necessarily factor in the positive effect of synthetic turf surfaces, it is clear that their ability to handle significant footfall is a major reason why it is that at clubs that are increasingly investing in them – to guarantee that games and training can take place and to bring in revenue.

In the same week that the ESTC hosted its annual congress in Seville, Spain, the Dutch Government was presented with the result of a year-long study that concluded that the SROI for every Euro (¤) it invests in sports and sports infrastructure is tenfold. Closer to home, Sport England estimates this to be £4 for every pound spent, translating to around £122.9bn in 2023-24 alone.

A growing number of municipalities are now investing in synthetic turf fields that capture heat as an alternative to gas-powered water heaters in domestic settings

Creating opportunities, cleaning water

A great example of the impact synthetic turf can have was presented by keynote speaker, Niels Meijer of the Johan Cruyff Foundation. “We continue what Johan started,” Meijer said, referring to the legendary football player who passed away in March 2016. Among its various programmes, the foundation has been building approximately 25 synthetic, multi-sport courts per year since 2004. The Cruyff Courts project utilises synthetic surfaces to provide opportunities for physical activity, with a focus on health and wellbeing, gender equality and sustainable cities and communities.

“Lately, we have started using a new type of surface that doesn’t use any infill,” Meijer added. “In doing so, we contribute to societies without impacting the local environment.”

Meijer estimates that the network of courts attracts around 4 million visitors each year – and the foundation is now planning to notch things up. “The water harvesting and purification system we incorporated in the two synthetic turf courts we built in South Africa now provide the community with potable water,” he said. “This is something we would like to roll out further.”

Generating energy

During the Congress, Leander Lignac of the Dutch Knowledge Centre for Sport and Physical activity presented another additional impact synthetic turf can achieve. “A growing number of municipalities are now investing in synthetic turf fields that capture heat as an alternative to gas-powered water heaters in domestic settings,” he said. “The first installations have proven that one football field can capture enough heat to replace water heaters in between 150 and 300 households.”

According to Lignac, no fewer than 1,250 fields in the Netherlands have been identified for this purpose. “The bigger picture is that this could reduce CO2 emissions from 1.37 megaton per year to 0.07 megaton per year,” he added.

Here to stay

Both speakers demonstrated the important role that synthetic turf can play in creating SROI. In addition, it is also positively impacting on not just when (and how much) sport is played, but also how it is played.

“The introduction of synthetic turf in hockey as an alternative for grass has changed the sport forever and for the better,” Professor Alastair Cox said in his presentation in his capacity as Facilities Manager of the International Hockey Federation (FIH). This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first hockey game played on synthetic turf.

“It has made the game safer and more attractive,” Cox added. “To date, hockey is being played in over 140 countries. Some 106 nations even participate in international competitions.”

To date, hockey is being played in over 140 countries. Some 106 nations even participate in international competitions

The FIH has now set its eyes on reducing the reliance on water. “Thanks to improved synthetic turf carpets the reliance has come down from 38,000 litres per game during the London Olympics in 2012 to just short of 7,500 litres we project for the fields used for the Olympics in Los Angeles,” Cox said.

Comes with consequences

As well as the positive impacts, conference delegates were also frequently reminded of the effects that the synthetic industry needs to continue to address and tackle. One of these is the issue of maintenance.

The chair of the ESTC Working Group on Maintenance, Alex Bobeica, guided delegates through the maintenance principles for long and short pile synthetic turf sports surfaces that the working group has now put down in a maintenance guideline. Like many other important documents, this guideline can soon be downloaded from the ESTC website.

In a similar vein, Barney Weston of Sport England and Professor Paul Fleming of Loughborough University both addressed the issue of end-of- life turf. Weston explained that Sport England estimates that 35% of the surfaces currently installed will soon come up for replacement.

“This is why we are actively participating in forums to work out a proper plan to limit the impact of end-of-life turf,” he said. In his presentation, Professor Fleming showed the audience the plans for ReSurface, a research initiative that aims to establish new recycling technologies as well as develop an infrastructure model that can be used UK-wide. The project has received £1.7m from the government to give it a head start.

Continued impact

Commenting on the two-day event, ESTC CEO Stefan Diderich was pleased with the positive developments in the sector. He also reminded the audience, however, not to become complacent. “We have to continue to get out there and to make an impact,” he said in his closing remarks.

“ESTC frequently participates in talks with sports governing bodies, NGOs and national governments. It has even become the go-to partner for lawmakers in Brussels.” A sign, he added, that the synthetic turf industry is viewed as mature enough to make an impact.