DHL Stadium recently received a Gold award at the prestigious International Project Management Association (IPMA) Global Project Management Awards for its recent pitch replacement project. This recognition highlights the project’s strategic execution, technical excellence, and sustainable practices, aligning with the rigorous IPMA evaluation criteria, which focuses on People, Purpose, Processes, Resources, and Results.
The IPMA, one of the world’s leading project management bodies, bestows these awards on projects demonstrating outstanding performance and innovation. The awards ceremony, held at DHL Stadium itself, underscores the project’s adherence to global standards and reinforces DHL Stadium’s status as a world-class venue.
The project upgraded the pitch from a natural grass pitch to a cutting-edge hybrid grass system, integrating natural grass with synthetic fibers. Now on par with global venues like Twickenham and Stade de France, the stadium’s new pitch offers durability far exceeding conventional fields, capable of handling six times more traffic. It also has a 15-year lifespan. This upgrade allows the stadium to host a wide range of back-to-back events, from top-tier rugby and football matches to high-profile concerts, with minimal downtime for recovery.
Delivered on time and within budget, the project showcased remarkable planning and execution. The team navigated a tight 12-month timeline during the 2023 Rugby World Cup, leveraging detailed scheduling and agile management to overcome challenges, including unforeseen delays in the delivery of materials. Construction on-site took just 86 days, with critical milestones meticulously tracked through a day-by-day program. When the hybrid grass system shipment faced weather-related delays, the team swiftly re-sequenced two major milestones – the installation and grow-in period – ensuring the overall schedule remained intact. Additionally, the project prioritised sustainability by reusing 1,750 cubic meters of excavated materials and optimising the irrigation system, reflecting a commitment to environmentally responsible practices and long-term operational efficiency.
Since its completion, the new pitch has significantly enhanced the stadium’s operational flexibility. Over 200 events have been hosted, attracting more than 500,000 spectators. This increased capacity has not only boosted the stadium’s appeal, but also provided substantial economic benefits to the local community, stimulating business for vendors, hotels, and other service providers.
Gina Woodburn, CEO of DHL Stadium, expressed her pride in the project’s success: ‘This award is a testament to our team’s dedication to excellence. The new hybrid pitch meets the highest international standards and significantly enhances our ability to host back-to-back events. This drives economic growth, supports local businesses, and fosters community engagement. We’re proud to set a new benchmark for stadium infrastructure and contribute to Cape Town’s global reputation.’
‘I am proud of the DHL Stadium’s achievement. This was a necesssary and important project, executed perfectly. The Stadium is proving to be one of the busiest and the preferred venue for big events in the country, said Mayor Geordin-Hill-Lewis.
The awards ceremony, together with a two and half-day conference with 600 delegates from 40 different countries, was hosted at DHL Stadium. Utilising a floor space of approximately 6,000 square meters, DHL Stadium is ideally positioned to host mid-week conferences and corporate functions.
DHL Stadium remains dedicated to delivering world-class experiences, further cementing its role as a cornerstone of Cape Town’s cultural and sporting landscape. As a versatile multipurpose venue that hosts not only major sporting events, but also gala dinners, conferences, and a wide range of community and corporate gatherings, the stadium continues to be a pivotal hub for diverse activities.
