• Article By | bhobbs

Kennesaw, GA — CROFT & Associates is proud to have served as the architect and engineering team for the innovative indoor turfgrass research facility at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture that is helping support groundbreaking research tied to the future of natural playing surfaces for the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

Located at the East Tennessee Ag Research and Education Center, the state-of-the-art facility is being utilized by researchers from the University of Tennessee and Michigan State University to study how natural turfgrass performs under varying environmental and lighting conditions across some of the world’s most complex sports venues.

The research comes as FIFA prepares for a tournament spanning multiple climate zones, elevations, and stadium types throughout North America, including several domed stadiums where natural sunlight is limited. Researchers are evaluating bermudagrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass under advanced LED lighting systems designed to simulate the growing conditions expected at host venues.

The CROFT-designed facility provides researchers with a highly controlled indoor environment capable of supporting detailed turfgrass growth and lighting studies. The space allows scientists to analyze how various LED light spectrums and lighting strategies impact turf performance, plant health, and long-term sustainability in enclosed stadium environments.

“This project represents the kind of meaningful, forward-thinking research environment we love helping bring to life,” said Stacey Chapman, Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy at CROFT. “While the building itself may operate behind the scenes, the research happening inside has the potential to influence sports turf management on a global scale. It is exciting to know that a facility designed in Tennessee is contributing to innovation connected to one of the world’s largest sporting events.” Chapman also noted the significance of the research for Georgia and the Metro Atlanta region as preparations continue for FIFA World Cup 2026™.

“As a Cobb County and Metro Atlanta-headquartered firm, it is especially exciting for our team to play even a small role in research connected to the World Cup while our state prepares to host matches on a global stage,” Chapman added. “With Atlanta serving as a host city and Cobb County welcoming two national teams for training camp operations, there is tremendous energy and pride throughout our region surrounding the tournament and the international attention it will bring.” David Esterline, Higher Education Studio Leader at CROFT, emphasized the importance of designing facilities that can support evolving research and technology needs.

“Research facilities today must be flexible, precise, and highly functional to support advanced scientific work,” said Esterline. “This facility was designed to create an environment where researchers could carefully study turfgrass performance under controlled lighting conditions while adapting to the specialized infrastructure required for this type of testing. Seeing the work conducted here gain international relevance is incredibly rewarding for our team.” Beyond its connection to the FIFA World Cup 2026™, the research is expected to help advance the future management of indoor natural grass systems for stadiums and athletic facilities worldwide. The project reflects CROFT’s continued commitment to supporting higher education institutions through thoughtful design that enables innovation, collaboration, and real-world impact.

ABOUT CROFT & Associates, Inc.

CROFT, founded in 2004, is a full-service architecture and engineering firm headquartered in Kennesaw, GA, with offices in Lawrenceville and Savannah, GA; Golden, CO; Myrtle Beach, SC; and Charlotte, NC. CROFT completes over 200 projects each year for clients throughout the United States, providing in-house design services that include: architecture, interior design, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and civil engineering. CROFT’s team of architects and engineers designs and manages over $500 million in construction of new and renovated facilities annually. CROFT’s market sectors include K-12 Education, Higher Education, Local Government, Federal Government, Church/Non-Profit, and Corporate/Commercial. CROFT is a privately owned organization with a strong history of philanthropy.

Media Contact:

Barkley Russell | barkley@barkleyrussellagency.com | 770.235.3612