The KNVB has revoked the certificate for the new hybrid pitch of FC Volendam. A last-minute inspection concluded that the field is 1 metre too short, forcing the contractor to do significant remediation work.
Stadium pitches must always comply with FIFA requirements. The Laws of the Game stipulate that the length must be at least 100 m and no more than 110 m, and the width at least 64 m and no more than 75 m.
The FC Volendam pitch has measured 104 x 68 metres for years and therefore complies with these rules. However, the Dutch FA KNVB applies the strict dimensions of 105 x 68 metres for pitches in its top league. Unlike FIFA, the KNVB does not allow any margins for deviation from these dimensions.
Until last year, FC Volendam was granted an exemption. However, at a last inspection just before the start of the 2025/2026 season, it became clear that this exemption would no longer be granted.
“That message came as a surprise to everyone,” says Andre Ceelen of CSC Sport. “FC Volendam had tasked us with removing the old artificial turf pitch and building a hybrid pitch in the same place. We didn’t think about it and were not aware that the KNVB no longer grants exemptions for the dimensions. It’s a small rule in a comprehensive document.”
A lot of extra work
The run-off strips at both ends will now be made half a metre shorter. The final result will still be within the tolerances. “The coming days, we will move the sprinklers, goals and tension posts half a metre backwards,” Ceelen sighs. “Then the ground has to be prepared and finished with turf sods before a stitching machine will finalise the surface.” As the pitch heating already runs 60 cm outside the pitch, this element will not require additional work.
According to Jon Hesen of Tarkett Sports, the small size of the extra work is no problem for the Grassmaster machines. “We can adjust the working width of our machines by temporarily removing entire blocks or just a row of pins.”
For all other activities, CSC Sport, the main contractor, now faces the difficult challenge of coordinating all this extra work within a very short period of time. “What is happening to FC Volendam and us is particularly unfortunate for FC Volendam, but the entire project has been realised in perfect cooperation. This omission will also be resolved with all contractors in the coming days.” He emphasises that CSC Sport is grateful that all partners are willing to play their part.
The parties involved have the slight advantage that the season for building, maintaining or replacing sports surfaces is now slowly coming to an end.
It is expected that the lines will be painted on Thursday afternoon. After that, the Hawk-Eye goal-line technology will have to be recalibrated.
Once complete, FC Volendam’s new stadium pitch will be ready in time for their first game at home, which will be on Sunday 17 August.
Excelsior Rotterdam
Excelsior Rotterdam avoided the change in attitude by KNVB. The club moved heaven and Earth this summer to ensure that its new stadium pitch would comply. The field at the Woudestein stadium was notoriously small. Moving the infrastructure around the pitch closer to the stands, has made it compliant. “Our pitch has been fully approved and complies with the dimensions. The ‘trough’ in which the synthetic turf lay for years, made it impossible for us to be compliant. However, because of the switch to natural turf, we were also able to reinstall all the frames on and around the pitch. A new combination of run-off areas, fencing and LED boarding has allowed us to find sufficient space, both in length and width. It has not affected our stands or seating. Of course, we have also taken safety into account,” a spokesperson told Sportsfields.info.