The Adelaide Football Club’s future home at Thebarton has taken another significant step forward, with the playing surface now fully installed on the venue’s main oval.
Works on installing the all-important turf began a fortnight ago, marking one of the final major construction milestones as the Club’s state-of-the-art Thebarton Oval Precinct edges closer to completion.
Grown in Bordertown by Sunnyside Instant Lawn, the TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda was harvested early in the morning, before being transported to Thebarton.
Sunnyside Instant Lawn delivered the turf for the Barossa Park upgrade where AFL Gather Round matches were played in 2025 and 2026.
The laying process is now complete, allowing the surface time to establish and bed down ahead of use by the Club’s football programs.
In total, 22 semi-trailer loads of turf were delivered to site, with two maxi-roll installers operating simultaneously to complete the oval.
Each roll covered approximately 20 m², helping ensure a consistent and uniform surface, while allowing for an efficient installation process across the venue.
More than 18,350 m² of TifTuf turf has been laid across the playing surface.
Commonly used at elite sporting venues, TifTuf is renowned for its durability, resilience and ability to recover quickly, making it well suited to the demands of a high-performance training environment.
The oval has been constructed on a sand-based profile designed to optimise drainage, while also supporting moisture retention and nutrient availability within the turf.
As an elite training facility, drainage has been a key consideration throughout the project. A surface capable of efficiently moving water following rainfall can recover more quickly, while reducing the risk of compaction, turf damage and surface loss.
The milestone follows the recent installation of the oval’s goalposts, with the venue continuing to take shape ahead of its completion.
The Thebarton Oval Precinct remains on track for completion next month, before the Club begins transitioning operations to the new facility.
Once complete, the precinct will become the permanent home of Adelaide’s AFL, AFLW and SANFL programs, bringing players, staff, members and supporters together at a purpose-built facility in the heart of the city.
Supporters still have the opportunity to become part of the development through the Club's pledge a picket initiative, creating a lasting connection to the new headquarters with a named picket or personalised message surrounding the oval.
Click here to pledge your picket today.
