Rochdale AFC’s Crown Oil Arena pitch has undergone a major mid-season rebuild.
Drainage issues have affected the playing surface for a number of years, with several matches postponed already in the current 2025/26 season.
The severity of the problem, coupled with the club’s ambition for promotion back to the English Football League (EFL), saw them commit to a challenging pitch rebuild.
The work began just days after Dale’s home match against Southend United was abandoned in early December, with the existing surface and sub-base dug up entirely.
New drainage channels and a new gravel base were laid before Christmas, after which period work began to apply an upper root zone and level the pitch.
The new turf, which was harvested in Lincolnshire alongside turf for Wembley Stadium’s pitch renovation, was then brought to Rochdale and installed ahead of Dale’s return to the Crown Oil Arena on Saturday 24 January, when they defeated Truro City 2-0.
Rochdale AFC managing director Andy Duff commented: “I would like to put on record our thanks to OBI Sports and Mallinson, who have delivered a challenging pitch rebuild against a tight timeframe over the Christmas and New Year period.
“They have delivered the project ahead of time and under budget. We are grateful for their dedicated work.”
