FIH Nominates Sport Group to Supply LA 2028 Hockey Turf
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is pleased to announce that it has nominated Sport Group, represented by their brands AstroTurf and Polytan, as the hockey turf sole supplier for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The Poligras hockey turf used for the competition will be manufactured and installed by AstroTurf. The agreement includes three hockey fields (one competition field, one warm-up field and one training field) and their shock pads.
AstroTurf, the original turf made in the USA, created the very first Olympic synthetic surface for hockey for the Montreal 1976 Games. Since then, Sport Group brands AstroTurf, Polytan and Poligras have been selected for 12 Olympic Games.
Sport Group has constantly innovated alongside the sport. The Paris 2024 hockey turf, Poligras Paris GT zero, marked the world’s first carbon zero hockey turf, and each Olympic Games features new turf technology. Research and Development for the Poligras LA28 turf is well underway.
FIH President Tayyab Ikram said: “The next Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028 will offer another fantastic opportunity for our sport to showcase itself to the world. The most important protagonists of this promotion of hockey are the athletes. It is our duty to offer them the best conditions for them to express their amazing talent. I’m really grateful that our strong partnership with Sport Group, AstroTurf and Polytan will deliver a turf that will include both the competition and sustainability aspects, and leave a lasting legacy for hockey in the USA.”
Melissa Twist, Director of Field Hockey, AstroTurf said: “AstroTurf started the hockey turf revolution in 1976 with the first turf at the Montreal Olympics. Since then, we have installed hockey turf in major stadiums, schools and clubs around the world, including many Olympic Games and World Cups. AstroTurf is based in the USA, so providing the hockey turf for a home Olympic Games, 52 years after Montreal, is deeply rewarding and testament to our enduring love of the sport and respect for everyone involved in the game.”
Paul Kamphuis, Head of Hockey, Sport Group, added: “We are thrilled that Poligras has been chosen as the hockey turf for LA2028, this will be the 9th Olympic hockey tournament on Poligras. This record of Olympic excellence is something that we are very proud of. Sport Group, together with AstroTurf and Polytan are committed to hockey globally. From the London blue, to the carbon zero turf in Paris 2024, our turf innovations have helped the sport become more skillful, dynamic and thrilling for players and fans. We continue to invest in reducing water and carbon while ensuring that our hockey turf performs at Olympic levels.”
In terms of physical legacy post-Olympic Games, and upon request from FIH, the pitches will be installed in suitable locations within the USA as agreed through a re-allocation process agreed between USAFH and LA 2028, approved by FIH and with support from AstroTurf.
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