Lord’s Cricket Ground Outfield Major Renovation 2025 | Fineturf

In 2025, a major resurfacing project took place on the Main Outfield at Lord’s Cricket Ground, marking the first complete resurfacing and renovation of the surface in 24 years. The project was commissioned by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) to ensure the outfield continues to meet the exceptional playing standards expected at the Home of Cricket.

Before renovation began, MCC offered its members a special opportunity to purchase a section of the existing turf as a piece of Lord’s memorabilia. This initiative allowed members to take home a living fragment of cricketing history, celebrating the outfield’s decades of service and iconic sporting moments.

To facilitate this, MCC commissioned Fineturf to harvest specific areas of the outfield for members to collect over the first two days of the renovation. Fineturf worked in partnership with their sister company, Tillers Turf, who used their FireFly slab harvester to carefully lift and prepare the required sections for distribution.

Following the members’ harvest, Fineturf proceeded to strip the remainder of the outfield using a tractor-mounted turf cutter. The removed turf and surface material were loaded into dump trailers using a loading shovel operated by an experienced Fineturf operator and removed from site.

With the surface cleared, the outfield was Wiedenmann raked to loosen any remaining debris, before being luted and dragmatted to achieve a smooth and even base. To enhance soil structure and drainage performance, 20 tonnes of Profile porous ceramic were applied, followed by 270 tonnes of medium sports sand, both incorporated into the surface.

A base fertiliser of ICL Pearl 5-28-0 was then applied to stimulate root development ahead of seeding. The outfield was subsequently deep tine aerated using a GKB 2.5m machine to relieve compaction and improve oxygen exchange within the profile. The material was then further luted and dragmatted to integrate sand and ceramic down the aeration holes.

Reseeding followed using MM50 Ryegrass sown at a rate of 70 g/m² in five directions with a Vredo disc seeder to ensure optimal seed-to-soil contact and even coverage. Two fertilisers were then applied — Headland Multigreen 28-3-15 and Headland Greentech 6-5-18, each at 35 g/m², to support balanced establishment and sustained nutrition.

To complete the renovation, a final pass with the Fineturf dimple seeder was carried out to ensure uniform distribution and fill any remaining gaps. Hand seeding and detailed finishing were completed around sprinkler heads, valve boxes, and perimeter areas to ensure full coverage and consistency.

This major renovation project represents a significant investment in the long-term quality and sustainability of the Lord’s outfield. Through the combined expertise of Fineturf and Tillers Turf, the 2025 works have prepared the surface to deliver world-class standards for years to come — preserving Lord’s proud legacy as the Home of Cricket.