Borussia Dortmund has embraced the shift towards ever-higher-quality playing surfaces in professional football and the resulting impact on the game. The pitch at Signal Iduna Park was first converted from natural turf to hybrid turf in 2016. In summer 2025, nine years after the initial installation, a complete refurbishment became necessary following EURO 2024 in Germany.

The work included installing a new rootzone layer specifically tailored to the requirements of a hybrid turf system. A high sand content ensures water permeability, while humus-rich topsoil and peat provide nutrient and water retention. Synthetic fibres were inserted into the newly laid natural turf, ensuring the pitch was ready for the season-opening match against Turin.

heiler had already renewed the pitch substructure, including the undersoil heating, following Borussia Dortmund’s German championship win in 2012. During the summer break and EURO 2012, all layers were removed and rebuilt. Artificial turf was also installed around the pitch perimeter.