World Cup 2026: The Journey to a Successful Pitch

How Staff Played a Huge Role
By Gary Bartley, WCTA Vice-President

With the FIFA World Cup now behind us, it is a good time to reflect on what it took to deliver a pitch that successfully hosted seven matches at BC Place. The positive feedback the playing surface received is especially rewarding because it represents the dedication of a team that put their lives on hold for nearly two months.

The success of the pitch was built on a unique partnership between BC Place Conversion Staff and members of the Western Canada Turfgrass Association (WCTA). Combining the venue's operational expertise with the technical knowledge of local turf professionals created a highly skilled team capable of meeting one of the biggest challenges in Vancouver's sporting history.

Hosting seven World Cup matches was comparable to staging seven Super Bowls, with each match requiring extensive planning, staffing, coordination, and infrastructure.

Planning for this collaboration began more than two years before kickoff, when representatives from FIFA, PavCo, Binnie & Associates, and the WCTA, including myself and other experienced local turf professionals, agreed that involving members of the local turf industry would strengthen the project while also providing mentorship and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the profession in Vancouver.

Using staffing models from previous FIFA World Cups, we developed a maintenance program requiring 24 match-day staff across two shifts. BC Place staff made up the majority of the team, with WCTA members filling the remaining positions. Interest from WCTA members exceeded the available positions, making the selection process difficult. Every applicant, however, demonstrated the passion, professionalism, and commitment required for the role.

Throughout the tournament, WCTA members worked alongside BC Place staff, taking on critical responsibilities that included fertilizer and chemical applications, overnight maintenance, and match-day preparation. Because the stadium pitch had to be completely clear of staff during certain operations, these members often worked late into the night. Shifts could begin at midnight heading into match days and continue through post-match operations, sometimes until 3:00 a.m.

Their commitment was made possible with the full support of their employers, who provided the flexibility needed to accommodate the demanding schedule. This support from employers was an important part of making the program successful.

An experienced leadership team guided the project throughout the tournament. Kevin Fowler, who I supported, and FIFA Pitch Managers Harry Bradley and Dale Frith, worked alongside the PavCo team to oversee pitch performance and ensure the surface consistently met the required standards.

Behind them, BC Place managers, tradespeople, and countless support staff ensured that equipment, lighting, irrigation, and logistics were always ready. Their work allowed the Pitch Team to focus entirely on maintaining world-class playing conditions.

This achievement belonged to far more people than those working directly on the grass. Electricians, plumbers, mechanics, conversion crews, and the grow-light teams often worked overnight to keep operations running smoothly. Their contributions were every bit as important to the success of the tournament.

This is the first in a series of articles exploring Vancouver's FIFA World Cup pitch. Future articles will examine the installation of the natural grass, agronomic and fertility programs, daily maintenance, match-day operations, the challenges faced, and the lessons learned throughout the tournament.

Finally, I want to recognize the outstanding individuals who made this possible. Their commitment, professionalism, teamwork, and willingness to put their lives on hold for nearly two months earned my deepest respect and admiration.

For many, this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Vancouver's successful World Cup pitch is a testament to the dedication and hard work of an exceptional team.

WCTA Members
Andre Dionne • Nick Barbour • James Muter • Jamie Seriduik • Krista Hewlett • Rick Scott • Nathan Wade • Fedja Muzur • Tanner Caldwell • Kane Leach • Dan Carney • James Collins • Bradley Gerspacher • Kasrah Lohrasb • Gary Bartley
 

Vancouver Pitch Managers -  L to R - Gary Bartley WCTA, Harry Bradley FIFA, Dale Frith FIFA, Kevin Folwer Chelsea FC
 

WCTA and BC Place, FIFA Pitch Maintenance Team