2026’s Programme Takes Shape
For upcoming pro turfcare event
The programme for TurfTech 2026 is taking shape, with speakers and technical sessions confirmed for the two-day summit at Brighton & Hove Albion FC’s AMEX Stadium on 1 and 2 October.
Organisers say the event will bring together specialists from across sports turf, science and technology, with sessions covering areas including hybrid surfaces, disease management, pitch design, agronomy, autonomous machinery, turf stress and water management.
Among the speakers is Fabio Travaini, CEO and co-founder of FlexGrass, who will discuss the development of hybrid sports surfaces, while Olivier Courot of IAGE will examine the use of biological diagnostics to identify grey leaf spot before visible symptoms appear.
Dr Richard Earl of Labosport UK will look at how pitch design influences drainage, moisture movement and long-term surface performance, while Kelly-Marie Clack of Origin Amenity Solutions will discuss football pitch grow-in strategies. DLF’s Anne Mette Dahl Jensen will also explore the use of tetraploid ryegrass in producing resilient sports turf.
Technology and innovation feature strongly, with Jake Browning of Wessex International presenting developments in autonomous and interchangeable turf management technology, and Simon Watson of ICL looking at new approaches to managing turf stress.
Clément Bodin, Managing Director of Natural Grass, will focus on adapting sports pitches to increasingly extreme weather conditions and reducing reliance on water. His presentation will also cover the company’s Aquaflow water management technology, which has been deployed on more than 15 elite pitches.
Other contributors include John Coleman of Advanced Turf Technology, Phil Fifield of Brighton & Hove Albion FC, and speakers from GrassMax, Raw Stadia, Net World Sports, Stogger Turf Care, PARADELLO, Orion Future Technology, ProPitch, Precision Turf and Helvaterra.
Organisers say TurfTech was established to examine the practical application of new technology and research to the challenges faced by modern sports turf professionals.
Registration for the event is free via the TurfTech website.
