The Racecourse Playing Fields

Game-Changing 3G Pitches Delivered by McArdle Sport Tec at The Racecourse Playing Fields

The Racecourse Playing Fields, otherwise known as Derby Racecourse, has undergone significant changes over the years, from a former horse racing venue from 1848 to 1939, it has served various purposes including a rifle range until the 1950’s, and a crucial military site during World War II, hosting units, anti-aircraft batteries, and barrage balloon moorings.

Derby Racecourse has undergone a remarkable transformation with a 12-million-pound redevelopment, turning this venue into a state-of-the-art football hub featuring four FIFA Quality 3G football pitches, a modern community pavilion and café, playground, and additional parking spaces.

Working with partners TigerTurf UK, McArdle Sport Tec successfully installed the four new 3G pitches for Derby City Council.

Before commencing the 3G pitch installation works, our Contracts Team needed to remove an existing artificial sports pitch which McArdle Sport Tec originally constructed in 2007.

Once the redundant 3G football pitch had been excavated, our team embarked onto the next phase; constructing four new FIFA Quality full-sized 3G football pitches which took just over six months to complete.

The installation of the Derby Racecourse 3G pitches involved substantial materials and resources including:

2050 metres of perforated pipe for effective drainage,

30,570 square metres of TigerTurf Atomic Pro 50 FIFA Quality 3G grass,

475 tonnes of rubber crumb and 236 tonnes of silica sand for the infill,

A substantial volume of aggregate, including 16,000 tonnes of Type 3 MOT, 4,000 tonnes of Type 1 MOT, and 600 tonnes of drainage stone.

The Derby Racecourse Football Hub was made possible thanks to funding from Derby City Council and the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation.