The Seminar on Wheels tour kicked off the 2026 Sports Field Managers Association Conference in Fort Worth, Texas, giving attendees a firsthand look at overseeded Latitude 36® Bermudagrass. Several hundred sports turf professionals visited Toyota Stadium, Riders Field and Gerald J. Ford Stadium at Southern Methodist University, all of which feature the turfgrass variety. Across professional soccer, Minor League Baseball and Division I football, they saw how it performs under different schedules and management styles.
Seminar on Wheels attendees evaluated overseeded Latitude 36® Bermudagrass at Toyota Stadium during the SFMA 2026 Conference.
Toyota Stadium
The first stop in Frisco brought sports field managers inside Toyota Stadium, built in 2005 and currently undergoing phased renovations scheduled for completion in spring 2028. The venue hosts a heavy annual schedule of professional soccer, football and concerts, and the field is resodded each year with Latitude 36 supplied by Thomas Turfgrass to maintain performance under consistent traffic.
The visit began inside the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame, where exhibits, uniforms and trophies document the history and accomplishments of United States soccer. From there, attendees moved down to the pitch to review construction progress, observe shaded areas under grow lights and discuss field management practices. The tour continued next door at the Toyota Soccer Center training facilities, where Latitude 36 was first trialed before being selected for the main stadium surface a decade ago.
The Seminar on Wheels provided a close look at Latitude 36® Bermudagrass performance at Riders Field.
Riders Field
At Riders Field, home of the Frisco RoughRiders, Latitude 36 has been in place since the club transitioned from TifSport in 2018. David Bicknell, Senior Director, Sports Turf and Grounds Manager for the Frisco RoughRiders, discussed how the surface has performed under Minor League Baseball traffic since the change. Riders Field is also known for its lazy river beyond the outfield wall, a signature feature that makes it one of the more recognizable venues in Minor League Baseball.
Gerald J. Ford Stadium completed its first football season on Latitude 36® Bermudagrass after transitioning to a natural grass surface in 2025.
SMU’s Gerald J. Ford Stadium
The final stop brought the group to Gerald J. Ford Stadium at SMU, where Latitude 36 was installed in May 2025 following a transition from artificial turf. The first season quickly tested the new surface, with several regular-season games played in what the staff described as monsoon-like conditions. Maintaining performance required significant input, but the field met the demands of Division I football.
Jason Marple, Sports Turf Manager at SMU, and his team discussed how the surface was managed through its first season during the tour. Based on the results, SMU plans to resod the soccer field and track infield with Latitude 36, also supplied by Thomas Turfgrass. The staff also highlighted their use of high-intensity LED grow lights to promote recovery and support turf health during winter and shaded conditions.
A Strong Week in Fort Worth
The Seminar on Wheels set a practical tone for the week, giving attendees an opportunity to evaluate playing surfaces in person and exchange ideas with fellow sports field managers.
That momentum carried into the Fort Worth Convention Center, where the trade show floor remained active and educational sessions drew strong attendance. With the 2026 World Cup set for Canada, the United States and Mexico this summer, conversation frequently turned to the global spotlight ahead and the continued elevation of sports field management standards.
Each year the SFMA Conference reinforces the collaboration and camaraderie within the sports turf industry. We look forward to continuing the conversation in Tampa in 2027. Thank you to the Sports Field Managers Association and the host venues for a strong week in Fort Worth.
