Early December saw ASBA hold their annual Technical Meeting & Trade Show in Palm Desert, California. It wasn’t just the TQL Stadium that received an award. Also honored were the Motz Group who received an award for the excellence shown in the build of the playing surface at the stadium.
The TQL Stadium opened in May of last year. It was the Motz Group who were responsible for the installation of a hybrid-turf system. It also had natural grass maintenance tools that made the ground a world-class soccer stadium. The stadium became the first in the MLS to use such technology.
Populous were the company who were behind the design of the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. They certainly had one eye on the future and it’s hard to find an MLS team who aren’t envious of the facilities at the Stadium. Earlier this year the stadium was named the Best Global Stadium by the World Football Summit.
Residents of Cincinnati will soon be able to place bets while they are playing at the stadium. From January 1, 2023, the state of Ohio legalizes online betting, so the leading US bookmakers offering sports betting and first deposit bonuses will work in the state.
There are some stadiums where the fans are a long way away from the pitch. That’s been a criticism in the English Premier League. West Ham United took over the London Stadium that had been used for the 2012 Summer Olympics. Many fans have voiced disapproval though over the long distance between them and the pitch.
At the TQL Stadium, the closest seats are only 15 feet from the field of play. That’s always handy as it creates an atmosphere that sees the home fans able to cheer their team on and intimidate the opposing team.
Of course, such an impressive and award-winning stadium doesn’t come cheap. The stadium was privately funded and cost $250 million. It’s not just a case of going to a match and cheering on the players. For some fans, going to an FC Cincinnati match is a day out and an expensive one too.
The TQL Stadium has 53 traditional sites and a total of 4,500 premium seats situated in its four premium club spaces. 3,100 fans can pack into The Bailey which is FC Cincinnati’s supporters’ section.
No one wants to go to a sports event and endure standing or sitting in the rain. That doesn’t happen at the TQL Stadium because a 360-degree canopy roof keeps every single seat in the stadium dry. Sometimes that can cause problems for the pitch but the roof still allows enough sun to get through to allow a natural grass pitch to be played on.
The players are well looked after too with five team locker rooms. The home team has a special area of course. There’s everything from a dressing room, equipment storage, lounge, coach’s office and excellent medical facilities.
It’s not just FC Cincinnati who have played at the stadium. Both the men’s and women’s US teams have played there. It’s also a venue for rock concerts with the legendary British group The Who playing there in May of this year.
It’s indeed an honor for the TQL Stadium and the Motz Group to receive recognition from the ASBA. They promote the highest possible standards of construction, maintenance and design. Annual awards are handed out to recognize high class facilities in sports such as tennis and running tracks. Indoor facilities are also recognized in the award ceremonies.
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