ETS CONFERENCE 2026
From the Ground Up: Construction and Care of Modern Turf Systems
22rd-24th APRIL 2026 ATHENS, GREECE
22rd-24th APRIL 2026 ATHENS, GREECE
Dear Turf Friends,
With great enthusiasm, we are pleased to announce the 9th European Turfgrass Society Conference, themed “From the Ground Up: Construction and Care of Modern Turf Systems.” The event will take place in Athens, Greece, from April 22nd to 24th, 2026. The conference will be held in the President Hotel, 43 Kifissias Ave., 11523 Athens, Greece (www.president.gr).
This year’s conference brings together researchers, educators, practitioners, and industry partners to explore the full lifecycle of modern turfgrass systems. Attendees will engage in scientific sessions, industry discussions, technical field tours, and collaborative exchanges that highlight emerging technologies and practical solutions for contemporary turf challenges.
You can find more information on the program for the conference and field days, as well as registration, poster competition and accommodation information further down the page.
For direct inquiries, please contact etsoffice@turfgrasssociety.eu.
We look forward to welcoming you to Athens for an engaging and productive event.
Kind regards
Marcela Muñoz
ETS President, on behalf of the ETS board
Sponsors:
If you want to become a sponsor for the event please contact the ETS office (etsoffice@turfgrasssociety.eu).
Downloads:
Gold sponsors
Top sponsors
Sponsors
Program 9th ETS Conference
Welcome to this Hybrid Event connecting Research & Field Day!
- TUESDAY 21ND APRIL
- WEDNESDAY 22TH APRIL
- THURSDAY 23TH APRIL
- FRIDAY 24RD APRIL
Arrival
Arrival in Athens
Conference will be held in the President Hotel
8:00-9:00
Registration
09:00-9:15
Official Conference Opening
- Antonis Gkrimotsis (Grassform, ETS Board Member and Head of the Conference Organising Committee)
- Marcela Muñoz MSc (ScienceBlu, ETS President)
Session I 9:15-10:30
Institutional and Governing Bodies
CHAIRPERSON: Dr Giuliano Sciusco (University of Pisa, ETS Board Member)
Speaker
Lee Guerriero (UEFA)
Processes and preparations for UEFA’s club competition finals 2026: Budapest, Istanbul, Leipzig and Oslo.
Mickael Benetti (FIFA)
Natural Turf Quality Programme - Research update
Theodoros Laios (Greek Super League)
How leagues can benefit from high-quality pitches: the Super League Greece case
10:30-11:00
Coffee Break
Session II 11:00-12:30
Academic
CHAIRPERSON: Dr Diego Gómez de Barreda (Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, ETS Board Member)
Presentation 1
Dr Simone Magni (University of Pisa)
Autonomous Turf Mowers
Presentation 2
Dr Lorena Parra (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid)
Monitoring Technologies for Turfgrass Management
Presentation 3
Dr Gerald Henry (University of Georgia, USA)
Improving Athlete-Surface Interactions: A New Testing Paradigm
Presentation 4
Dr Robert Kempster (NIBIO)
Highlights from the NIBIO turf grass research group (Norway)
Presentation 5
Dr Jan Cordel (University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück)
Current Projects and Research Status in Turf Management at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences (Germany)
Presentation 6
Dr Diego Gómez de Barreda (Universidad Politécnica de Valencia)
Current Research at Polythecnical University of Valencia (Spain)
12:30-13:30
Lunch
Session III 13:30-15:15
Technical update from Industry
CHAIRPERSON: Dr Cristina Sudiro (Landlab Srl, ETS Board Member)
Presentation 1
Francoise Le Roux (Genna Sport)
Drainage and its Impact on Elite Turf Fields
Presentation 2
Apostolos Kortesis (Hellasod)
New certified warm season turf varieties. Innovative technologies and applications in sports facilities in Greece and abroad.
Presentation 3
Ralph Teunissen (Sunrise)
Hybrid technology of TenCate Turf Systems
Presentation 4
Dr Philipe Aldahir (Biocore)
Latest trends in player-surface interaction research
Presentation 5
Robert Jack (Dennis/SISIS)
Putting the air in aeration
Presentation 6
Stathis Panagou (Geomechaniki)
Rotary vs Cylinder (reel) mowing - Technology, Benefits & Practicality
Presentation 7
William Boogarts (Kounelakis/Barenbrug)
Can Grass Breeding Keep Up with Climate Change?
15:15-15:45
Coffee Break
Session IV 15:45-16:45
Scientific Session
CHAIRPERSON: Dr Jan Cordel (University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück, ETS Board Member)
Presentation 1
Glenn Kirby (STRI)
Photosynthesis sets the rules - but how efficient are our systems?
Presentation 2
Dr Hui Chen (Syngenta)
Finer topdressing sand affects creeping bentgrass quality and surface characteristic
Presentation 3
Greg Whatley (STRI)
Multi-use venues no longer the future, but here today
Session IV 16:45-17:30
Panel: "Building blocks of pitch surveillance
CHAIRPERSON: Dr Jason Kruse (University of Florida, ETS Board Member)
17:45-19:00
ETS General Assembly
Field visits and gala dinner
- Morning - Allwyn Arena, Home of AEK F.C.
- Lunch
- Afternoon - Panathinaikos F.C. Training Centre
- Evening – Gala dinner
Field visits and closing
- Morning - Ellinikon Experience Park and Ellinikon Sports Park
- BBQ lunch and closing
Registration
For this conference, there are three pricing options for registration depending on membership status (non-member, member and student member). It you want to become an ETS member as well as register for the conference you have two options:
- Complete membership and registration forms separately and pay for them separately. Please note, ETS will allow you to register for the conference immediately after completing your membership form, but your conference registration will not be complete until both membership and conference payment has been received. You will be issued with two receipts, one for membership and one for registration.
- Complete both membership and registration forms but make payment for both in one transaction. ETS asks that if you want to do this, please send the office an email to confirm this is what you are doing. We will issue a single receipt with both included but as separate items. Please check you are transferring the right total fee based on your chosen membership and the number of people you are registering for the conference.
Note, due to ETS’s status as a VAT exempt association, it cannot issue invoices but will issue a receipt as proof of payment.
ETS prefers to receive bank transfer payments, as these ensure the association does not incur any additional banking charges. Full payment information is given on the booking form. If you have any questions about the event, registration or membership please contact the ETS office by email (etsoffice@turfgrasssociety.eu).
We have three options for registration:
Full registration includes:
- Access to conference
- Access to site visits/technical tour
- Networking
- Gala dinner
- Coffee breaks
- Buffet lunches
- Bus transportation
- Lunch during the technical tour
- Conference bag (bag, notepad, pen, etc.)
For more details on memberships please visit: www.turfgrasssociety.eu/become-a-member.html
Accomodation
The conference being held in the President Hotel very close to the city centre in Athens. There are a wide range of potential accommodation options available in the area from hotels to apartments. There are no conference rates, just lots of choice in accommodation in this well connected city centre. Book your place at the conference and your accommodation soon to avoid disappointment!