Toronto, ON – As the spotlight on host cities of mega sporting events intensifies, the expectations to provide fans with unforgettable experiences has reached unprecedented levels. It is no longer enough to simply meet expectations, cities must strive to exceed them. This involves a blend of cutting-edge infrastructure, excellent hospitality, innovative entertainment and a vibrant atmosphere that captures visitors and locals alike. The goal is to create a lasting impression that not only enhances the reputation of the event but also leaves a positive legacy for the city and its residents. The mega sporting event in question is The 2024 UEFA European Football (Soccer) Championships. Hosted by a country that takes its football (and beer!) very seriously. You guessed it.. Germany!
The 2024 UEFA European Championships
Taking place from June 14th-July 14th, 2024 across ten world-class stadiums, the UEFA European Championships will attract over 600,000 tourists to Germany. In addition to tourists, German fans themselves will also be out in full throttle. In Berlin alone, 2.5 million visitors are expected. Celebrations away from the stadium are set to take place on Platz der Republik in front of the Reichstag building and at the Fan Mile, near the Brandenburg Gate which will be turned into the largest football goal in Europe.
Where does SYNLawn come in you may ask? Well, every goal needs a “little” grass. In this case, a little, means 300,000 square feet (25,000m²) of premium SYNLawn Artificial Turf, to create a one-of-a-kind destination for sports and football/soccer enthusiasts. The fan mile offers locals and visitors from around the world the opportunity to experience a giant playing field and a pop-up park for summer socializing with fellow sports fans. There are giant screens set up for public viewing of EURO 2024 matches, and on non-match days guests are treated to movie screenings, concerts, and other activations
Sustainability and Versatility at the Core
One of the tender conditions set by UEFA and the City of Berlin was to create a sustainable solution. SYNLawn was the perfect fit, as sustainability is a main feature that distinguishes SYNLawn from alternative options. SYNLawn’s exclusive plant-based EnviroLoc+™ backing system replaces the petroleum-based polyol with renewable soybeans. Additionally, the installation does not contain any rubber granules as infill, to avoid the discharge of microplastics, which has been proven by special stress tests conducted before the turf was installed. Additionally, thresholds made from recycled turf were used to level out any unevenness to allow wheelchairs and strollers to navigate the Fan Mile without accessibility barriers. The artificial grass used for this project is the cleanest and safest available on the market due to being manufactured with Super Yarn™ technology that provides heat reflective, anti-static, Sanitized® and non-abrasive grass blades.
Due to the unique nature of the project, it was clear to developers that the turf had to meet special requirements. For example, and this is unusual for an artificial turf, it had to withstand the high loads caused by delivery traffic and emergency vehicles while providing the authentic feel of a soccer pitch to hundreds of thousands of fans. It also needed to serve as a recreational space for at least another ten years after removal and reinstallation. Thanks to a patented turf construction, the turf has a particularly natural look in addition to its extreme robustness that blends in beautifully with the area in the middle of Berlin’s Tiergarten.
This project is also unique in that the turf will be given a second life after the European Championships. SYNLawn will repurpose the turf by professionally removing it and donating it for use in sport field installations around the city. Youth centres, schools, and daycares, will benefit from this donation, providing children in the community with safe and sustainable play areas.
2026 FIFA World Cup
With Toronto set to be one of the host destinations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, we envision an exiting opportunity to create a similar concept with an artificial grass Fan Mile in the heart of downtown Toronto. In the meantime, our team at SYNLawn Toronto is ready to bring your vision for any type of indoor or outdoor sports installation to life. If you’re interested in a future collaboration, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us to get started with your project today.
