GroundsFest and TurfTech Summit put technology at the heart of the future of turf management

GroundsFest and TurfTech Summit will showcase the latest developments in machinery, robotics, AI and data-driven technology for professional turf and grounds management

From autonomous machinery and live demonstrations to AI diagnostics, smart irrigation and data-led pitch management, two major UK events are putting technology firmly on the agenda for grounds professionals

Sports & Parks

10 September 2026

Technology is rapidly changing the way turf, sports grounds and landscaped spaces are maintained, and two major industry events in the UK this autumn will put the latest developments firmly in the spotlight.

GroundsFest 2026, taking place at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire on 16 and 17 September, will bring together grounds staff, greenkeepers, landscapers, contractors, local authorities and suppliers for two days of machinery demonstrations, education and networking.

Just two weeks later, the TurfTech Summit will take place at Brighton and Hove Albion FC’s American Express Stadium on 1 and 2 October, with a more focused programme examining the relationship between professional turf management and emerging technology.

For Irish professionals working across sportsturf, landscaping and grounds maintenance, the two events offer an opportunity to see where the industry is heading and which technologies could have a practical impact on day-to-day operations.

GroundsFest 2026 (16-17 September)

GroundsFest has established itself as a major event for the professional grounds-management market, combining an indoor exhibition and education programme with outdoor machinery demonstrations.

The 2026 event will feature hundreds of brands, while its programme includes four seminar theatres, practical sessions and the Landscape Zone, which focuses on the design, planning and construction of outdoor environments.

One of the attractions of GroundsFest is its emphasis on allowing visitors to see equipment operating in real conditions rather than simply viewing machinery on a stand.

Machinery Nation LIVE will return for 2026, alongside outdoor demonstrations and the event’s popular lawn mower racing. The Landscape Zone will also highlight technologies and sustainable solutions relevant to landscaping and grounds management.

There is also a clear Irish connection – Major Equipment, headquartered in Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo, will be exhibiting at GroundsFest 2026, showcasing machinery aimed at sports turf, amenity areas, estates and vegetation management.

TurfTech Summit (1-2 October)

While GroundsFest provides a broad look at the machinery, products and services available to the grounds-management industry, TurfTech Summit is taking a more concentrated look at the technology behind the next generation of turf management.

The third edition of TurfTech Summit will bring together more than 450 attendees and over 20 speakers for two days at the American Express Stadium in Brighton.

The organisers describe the event as a meeting point between turf professionals and technology leaders.

Sensor technology and smart irrigation will be examined alongside AI in turf diagnostics, while robotic mowing and data-driven pitch management are also included in the programme.

Sensors can provide more detailed information about playing surfaces and irrigation requirements. AI and machine learning could assist with identifying turf problems earlier, while autonomous mowing systems offer the potential to reduce repetitive labour requirements and allow staff to concentrate on other areas of pitch and grounds management.

The challenge for the industry is turning that technology into practical solutions that deliver measurable benefits.

That is one of the central themes of TurfTech Summit, which has been designed to bring together groundsmen, turf managers, sports clubs, golf courses and technology innovators, with live demonstrations and practical education forming part of the programme.