Industry Experts and Cutting-Edge Content Confirmed for TurfTech 2026

The programme is taking shape for TurfTech 2026, with an impressive line-up of speakers and technical sessions now confirmed for the two-day summit, taking place at Brighton & Hove Albion FC’s AMEX Stadium on 1 and 2 October 2026.

Bringing together some of the most respected names in sports turf, science and technology, the event promises practical insights, pioneering research and innovative solutions for turf professionals.

Created by experienced turf professionals, TurfTech was established to bridge the gap between technological innovation and the real-world challenges faced by grounds teams.

The summit has quickly become the leading event for those looking to stay ahead of developments in elite turf management, with an emphasis on practical knowledge that delegates can take back to their own facilities.

Among the headline speakers is Fabio Travaini, CEO and co-founder of FlexGrass, who will share his expertise in the development of hybrid sports surfaces following more than 15 years of innovation in the sector. Joining him is Olivier Courot from IAGE, whose keynote session, How to Manage Grey Leaf Spot in an Elite Stadium: Detect Sooner, Treat Smarter and Spend Less, will explore how advanced biological diagnostics are helping turf managers identify disease before symptoms become visible.

The programme also features Dr Richard Earl of Labosport UK, who will demonstrate how pitch design directly influences drainage, moisture movement and long-term surface performance, while John Coleman, Managing Director of Advanced Turf Technology (ATT), brings decades of practical and technical expertise to the summit.

Delegates will gain valuable agronomic knowledge from Kelly-Marie Clack of Origin Amenity Solutions, who will discuss successful football pitch grow-in strategies, alongside Anne Mette Dahl Jensen from DLF, who will examine the benefits of tetraploid ryegrass and its role in producing resilient, high-performing sports turf.

Innovation continues to be a central theme throughout the event. Jake Browning from Wessex International will introduce the company's latest autonomous and interchangeable turf management technologies, while Simon Watson from ICL will explain the science behind new approaches to turf stress management.

Also joining the speaker line-up is Clément Bodin, Managing Director of Natural Grass, who will explore one of the biggest challenges facing modern sports turf – adapting to increasingly extreme weather conditions. Drawing on this summer's exceptional weather in France, his presentation will examine how sports pitches can become more resilient while reducing their dependence on water. Delegates will also learn about Aquaflow, Natural Grass's innovative water management technology, which is helping to reduce water consumption, limit disease pressure and strengthen turf resilience. Already deployed on more than 15 elite pitches over the past two years, the technology is delivering measurable results in real-world conditions.

Presentations from GrassMax, Raw Stadia, Net World Sports and Stogger Turf Care will showcase the latest thinking on hybrid systems, global stadium standards, sports equipment, lighting technology and sustainability.

In addition, delegates will hear from Phil Fifield of Brighton & Hove Albion FC, alongside experts from PARADELLO, Orion Future Technology, ProPitch Ltd, Precision Turf LLC and Helvaterra, further strengthening an already outstanding educational programme.

With an unrivalled blend of science, technology and practical experience, TurfTech 2026 is set to deliver two days of learning, discussion and networking for professionals responsible for the performance and future of sports turf.

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