The International Hockey Federation (FIH) and the FIFA Innovation Programme have jointly introduced a transformative set of guidelines titled “Dual-Sport Pitches for Football and Hockey—Performance and Construction Guidelines.” This landmark publication reflects a unified commitment to fostering sustainable, accessible, and high-performing sports infrastructure, particularly in grassroots and educational environments where multi-use functionality is in growing demand.
Enhancing Accessibility Through Dual-Sport Turf Technology
As synthetic turf gains popularity for its durability and weather resistance, the need for multi-sport fields is growing, especially in schools and community settings. Football values the turf's versatility, while hockey relies on it for optimal play. Recognizing this, FIFA and FIH developed a unified standard that combines the FIFA Basic and FIH Multi-Sport categories to support dual-use surfaces at grassroots levels. The new guide offers clear criteria for performance, safety, and sustainability.
Key Technical Criteria and Construction Standards
The Dual-Sport Performance and Construction Guidelines detail critical specifications to ensure the surface is safe, functional, and long-lasting:
Turf Pile Height: A balanced recommendation of 30–45 mm pile length accommodates the ball behavior needs of both football and hockey, utilizing high-density tufting to prevent ball entrapment.
- Shockpad Requirements: Shockpads must meet EN 15330-4 standards, offering adequate impact absorption to enhance player safety.
- Ball Roll and Rebound: Specific performance ranges are defined for each sport to ensure natural gameplay characteristics are preserved.
- Infill Materials: The guidelines promote environmentally responsible options and partial infill configurations that are aligned with sustainability goals.
- Surface Evenness: Deviation must not exceed 6mm over a 3m straightedge, adhering to FIFA TM 08.
- Water Permeability: Drainage must reach ≥150 mm/h (EN 12616), enabling use in diverse climates.
- Durability: Minimum tensile strength standards ensure that the synthetic fibers withstand frequent use— ≥5N for ≤1200 dtex fibers and ≥8N for >1200 dtex.
- Tuft Withdrawal: Turf must withstand at least 40N of pull force (EN 12228 or EN 13744), ensuring longevity and minimizing maintenance.
In addition to material specifications, the guide outlines pitch dimensions, layout recommendations, and the process for field certification that aligns with both FIFA and FIH standards.
A Global Step Forward for Inclusive and Sustainable Sport
FIH President Tayyab Ikram praised the collaboration for benefiting young football and hockey players worldwide. The guide not only resolves long-standing compatibility issues between the two sports but also promotes sustainable facility development. With dual certification now possible, CityGreen Sports is helping make high-quality, multi-use pitches more accessible across diverse markets.
CityGreen Sports, as a FIFA Licensee and FIH-Certified Manufacturer, offers end-to-end solutions for dual-sport fields, delivering surfaces that comply with the FIFA and FIH standards.
Contact us to discover how we can help you build professional, versatile sports facilities with confidence and expertise.
