During the summer of 2025, Sassuolo Calcio and Paradello, a company that produces rolled turf and grass carpets for sports facilities, collaborated on the complete renovation of the playing field at Ricci Stadium in Sassuolo.
The new pitch, which complies with CONI and FIGC regulations, was built using the latest construction techniques, choosing 100% natural NorthBridge Bermudagrass carpet to achieve excellent standards and meet the requirements for FIFA competitions.
The project was divided into several phases, starting with the excavation of the old ground and a new drainage system, consisting of a new vertical drainage sub-base with a stratigraphy of crushed stone and a top soil of silica sand certified by Mapei group.
Subsequently, a modern irrigation system with 24 sprinklers with automation and remote management was installed, followed by the re-turfing and laying of a new 100% natural turf in NorthBridge Bermudagrass, the same state-of-the-art turf also installed at Mapei Stadium in July 2025. The work was completed with the refurbishment of the outfield with new artificial turf for sports and decoration, the installation of new goals, and the upgrading of the benches.
By choosing NorthBridge Bermudagrass, the club decided to create a 100% natural pitch with a latest-generation grass. NorthBridge, a hybrid created by Oklahoma State University through a 15-year research and development program, was chosen for its high performance in terms of resilience, resistance, and ability to regenerate and recover. This variety stands out for its ability to root deeply and for the resistance of the turf, which remains uniform and high-performing even under intense use. Its genetic characteristics also include resistance to low winter temperatures, with a very accelerated and early vegetative restart in spring. Aesthetically, the new turf at Ricci stadium has acquired a new bright and intense green appearance with this innovative natural grass surface.
At the end of the work, Sassuolo CEO and General Manager Giovanni Carnevali commented: “The renovation of the Ricci pitch represents another fundamental step forward for our club. We have always believed that the quality of facilities is an important asset for a football team. We wanted a pitch that matched Sassuolo’s ambitions, and thanks to our collaboration with Paradello, we have achieved an excellent result that will serve the Primavera, the Women’s First Team, and the municipality of Sassuolo.”
“Ricci Stadium is our city’s stadium. Thanks to this investment, it will become a modern, high-level facility,” commented Matteo Mesini, Mayor of Sassuolo. “Care for the local area, attachment to the city, and a desire to improve: these are the values that make the collaboration between the municipal administration and Sassuolo Calcio so special. We would like to thank the black&green management for choosing to invest in our local area once again. We can’t wait to support Sassuolo on the new pitch, home to the Primavera and women’s teams.”
CEO of Paradello, Andrea Piva, also wanted to reiterate the importance and quality of the work carried out on the facility: “This investment represents excellence in the panorama of sports fields in Italy: a 100% natural playing field of the highest quality. The choice of a natural NorthBridge Bermudagrass brings great value not only in terms of the quality of play, but also in terms of the environmental sustainability of the project. We are proud to have made our contribution to Sassuolo Calcio and the Municipality of Sassuolo, which can now count on an innovative sports facility, built using advanced techniques to offer performance on a par with the best Serie A pitches”.