How STIGA Is Elevating Rugby Groundskeeping Across the UK
Modern lawncare innovation can transform even the most demanding turf environments, STIGA recently brought its latest professional and robotic mowing solutions to Allianz Stadium, the iconic home of England Rugby. The visit wasn’t just a product showcase; it marked a real-world moment in STIGA’s new role as Official Groundskeeping Partner of the Rugby Football Union (RFU).
From Garden Lawns to Premier Sports Turf
While the average gardener might associate STIGA with domestic lawncare, the brand’s expanding footprint into professional grounds maintenance is turning heads. More than just a manufacturer of trusty ride-ons and mower robots, STIGA is now stepping onto elite sporting turf, supporting England’s senior men’s and women’s teams and grassroots clubs with solutions designed for efficiency, consistency and sustainability.
At Allianz Stadium, the STIGA team gave the resident grounds crew a hands-on opportunity to trial the company’s autonomous robotic mowers, battery-powered professional tools, award-winning APX PRO system, and new electric tractors. The timing couldn’t have been better , the demonstrations followed an intense England vs Argentina international fixture, putting the machines through their paces in a live turf environment.
James Gordon, Managing Director of STIGA UK, said that bringing the technology directly into the hands of grounds professionals was crucial. “2026 will be a superb year for showcasing the quality and innovation of STIGA products,” he commented, emphasising the brand’s aim to support clubs and elevate standards across the sport.
The Growing Importance of Grounds Teams
Behind every classic rugby contest – whether at an international test or a community league – lies the work of dedicated grounds staff and volunteers. At the RFU level, this ranges from full-time professionals at major venues like Allianz Stadium to regional pitch advisors and club volunteers committed to keeping pitches playable and safe.
This is where STIGA’s technology comes into its own. Its intelligent, wireless mowing systems are designed not only to deliver pristine, consistent turf results, but also to reduce the physical workload on grounds teams – crucial in a setting where volunteer time and professional resources are both at a premium.
Jim Buttar, Head of Grounds and Technical Operations for the RFU, praised the trials, noting that exploring which tools offer the most value “not only to us at Allianz Stadium but to grassroots clubs across the RFU” was a key benefit of the partnership.
More Than Just Mowers: A Broader Vision for Turf Care
STIGA’s involvement with the RFU goes beyond demonstrations. This multi-year partnership reflects a growing trend in professional sports: leveraging technology and sustainability to support elite performance while also nurturing community sport. STIGA’s equipment — with roots in over 90 years of garden care expertise — blends rugged durability with smart engineering to meet both ends of that spectrum.
For readers of Garden-Review, there’s a compelling lesson here: the future of turfcare is intelligent, efficient, and sustainable – whether you’re tending to a suburban lawn or managing the pitch for a major sporting event. The tools and technologies once confined to commercial landscapes are increasingly accessible and transferable, offering real value to grassroots groundskeepers and home gardeners alike.
As STIGA continues to support clubs across the country, the ripple effects of this partnership will likely be felt far beyond the stadium – in community parks, local pitches, and the gardens of those inspired by what precision mowing tech can achieve.
Garden Review UK 
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