Olympique Lyonnais chose quality and performance by opting for FieldTurf’s artificial grass pitches in order to equip its brand new training centre. An ambitious project for OL, which after being elected best training centre for the third constructive year in a row (French Football Federation), are building the first multi-surface professional national training centre.

The huge complex named “Groupama OL Academy” will be located at Meyzieu, not far from the new stadium. Equipped with a surface of nearly 68000m² it will harbour 6 training turfs (5 of which are equipped with FieldTurf 360 XL Cyro), locker rooms, accommodation, a diner and a recreation room. The launch is scheduled for September 2016.

The innovative FieldTurf 360 XL system, which has been chosen by the club to equip the synthetic pitches of the entire centre, uses a thicker fiber in the shape of a diamond built from a unique polymer, created especially for sports surfaces. This extremely resistant and resilient fiber provides players with exceptional comfort and allows for optimal playing performances at the highest level. Tested according to the Lisport method (wear test), the 360 XL fiber displays unequalled durability after 180000 cycles (the equivalent of over 30 years of use) and is holder of the highest number of certifications amongst synthetic turfs on the market (FIFA Quality, FIFA Quality Pro and World Rugby).

The FieldTurf Cryo infill (based on cryogenic SBR), chosen by the club, offers exceptional sports characteristics and gives synthetic turf an incomparable stability while allowing an outstanding shock absorption and extraordinary durability and drainage characteristics.This unique and patented system has already proven itself as it has previously been chosen by many professional clubs, including the Paris Saint Germain (training centre), the Reims stadium (training centre), the FC Barcelona (training centre) and the US Oyonnax (Charles Mathon stadium).

In order to realize this project FieldTurf Tarkett worked with long-standing partner Parcs & Sports who with decades of expertise in constructing sports turfs, advised the club throughout the project.

OL has chosen to renew their trust in FieldTurf Tarkett, which has been a partner of the club since 2010. By only selecting the very latest generation of synthetic turf, they keep on innovating, allowing themselves to succeed in reinforcing their leadership in the domain of professional training.

FieldTurf Tarkett is extremely proud to partake in this project and to contribute into writing the club’s history.

* cryogenic particules of cahoutchouc