Reason why the Old Trafford pitch is being dug up
Image Credits: Imago Images
With the World Cup dominating attention in North America, work has already started back in Manchester as preparations begin for the next chapter at Old Trafford.
At the same time as focus remains on international football, Manchester United’s long-term infrastructure plans continue to move forward, including major developments around the stadium and playing surface.
The famous Old Trafford pitch is now undergoing a full reconstruction ahead of the 2026/27 season, as the club announced on their website.
For the first time in 14 years, dating back to the summer before the 2012/13 campaign, the entire surface in M16 has been completely stripped back to its base and rebuilt from the ground up.
The project is being overseen by head groundsman Tony Sinclair and his specialist team, who are leading a full re-laying process designed to enhance drainage, durability and player welfare.
Supporters visiting the Old Trafford stadium tour recently will already have seen machinery on site, with heavy equipment actively removing layers of the existing surface.
The excavated material is being recycled within the industry, forming part of a more sustainable approach to pitch construction and maintenance.
Old Trafford’s playing surface is a hybrid system, made up of around 96% natural grass combined with 4% artificial fibres that are stitched deep into the soil.
This structure is widely used at elite level across world football, helping to create a more stable, even and resilient surface by binding natural grass with synthetic reinforcement.
The current work marks what is expected to be the final full pitch rebuild at the existing Old Trafford, as plans continue to develop for a potential new 100,000-seater stadium in the future.
Alongside the main playing surface, improvements are also being made around pitch safety and structure.
The grass is being extended closer to pitchside to create a more consistent playing area, while protective reinforcement is also being added to the brickwork at the base of the stadium’s famous slope.
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