SG Olympia Leipzig – Modern artificial turf pitches with LigaTurf Cross GT zero

SG Olympia 1896 Leipzig e.V. has a fully modernised sports facility at Mühlwiese, featuring two high-quality artificial turf pitches. Following extensive modernisation works, the pitches were officially opened in June 2023 and now offer the club – one of the largest football clubs in the north of Leipzig – excellent training and playing conditions throughout the year.

The elastic base layer PolyBase GT was installed first on the main playing surface. This sustainable base system consists of granulate made from post-consumer recycled material combined with a CO₂-neutral binding agent. On top of this, Polytan’s LigaTurf Cross GT zero was installed – an artificial turf system specifically developed for intensively used football pitches. The combination of monofilament and textured fibres ensures high stability, consistent ball roll behaviour and excellent playing characteristics even under heavy use. As part of the GT zero range, LigaTurf Cross GT zero is designed to deliver a reduced carbon footprint throughout its entire life cycle, combining sporting performance with a clear commitment to sustainability. The final sand-filled construction enables low-maintenance use and ensures reliable long-term performance. Taken together, PolyBase GT, LigaTurf Cross GT zero and the sand infill make an important contribution to the overall sustainability of the facility.

A particular highlight of the facility is the integration of the SMART system directly into the artificial turf – an innovation previously known mainly from athletics tracks and now increasingly finding its way into turf sports. The magnets integrated into the playing field enable precise performance analysis for classic sprint tests as well as football-specific agility and change-of-direction (COD) assessments. These include the widely used 5-10-5 shuttle, which measures rapid changes of direction in a linear plane and is well established in sports such as football, American football and hockey. Objective time measurement allows individual performance data to be recorded, progress to be visualised and training content to be specifically optimised – delivering clear added value for performance diagnostics, youth development and modern athletic training. The functional concept is complemented by a striking visual feature: the SG Olympia Leipzig club logo is permanently integrated into the artificial turf, clearly reinforcing the identity of the venue.

Adjacent to the main pitch, an additional pitch was constructed – also equipped with LigaTurf Cross GT zero – which is primarily used for training sessions, youth matches and recreational play. Both pitches are designed for maximum durability and can accommodate many hours of use per week while maintaining consistently high quality.

By opting for this innovative artificial turf solution, SG Olympia is not only strengthening its sporting infrastructure but also placing a strong emphasis on sustainability and longevity – aspects that play a central role for the club and its members.

‍