Spatiotemporal variability of football pitch surface properties under meteorological influences: A case study of Kasımpaşa Stadium

Understanding the effects of game traffic, field design, and meteorological variables on the hydrological and mechanical parameters of sports field surfaces is essential for creating quality fields that minimize surface-related injuries, and fulfill game requirements. In the presented study, it is aimed to assess six performance parameters (surface temperature, hardness, surface traction, turf coverage, root length, and rootzone soil moisture) measured in Kasımpasa Stadium, which is located in Istanbul and hosts Türkiye's Super League matches, over a 15-month period (August 2021–October 2022). The relationships between the relevant parameters and meteorological variables such as ambient temperature, total precipitation height, sunshine duration, and global solar radiation were also examined. Significant temporal variations were observed, whereas spatial differences across various points of the pitch were relatively minor. Surface temperature levels remained within acceptable ranges to prevent skin burns and injuries. Surface hardness was classified as a hard surface only in June-22, as a soft surface in April-22 and May-22 and was optimal during the remaining periods. A Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to reveal the pairwise relationships between the variables. Meteorological parameters, particularly ambient temperature, had a significant influence on surface temperature (r = 0.84), traction (r = 0.68), and root length (r = 0.73). This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of performance and quality monitoring in sports fields. Stadium location and design, especially sun exposure and its duration, are crucial for meeting the mechanical and hydrological requirements of field surfaces, maintaining game standards, and ensuring player safety.