World Cup-standard hockey pitch installed at Bisham Abbey
A new world-class hockey surface at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre is helping support elite athlete preparation while continuing a unique sporting legacy that now stretches from the UK to communities in Africa and South America.
We have installed a new international-standard hockey pitch built to the same specification as the surface that will be used at the 2026 Hockey World Cup, due to take place this August in Belgium and the Netherlands.
The new pitch, manufactured by Polytan and installed by Agripower with consultancy support from Sports Labs, will provide elite playing conditions for Team GB and England Hockey senior squads, pathway athletes and grassroots participants. The installation reinforces our role as one of the UK’s leading high-performance training environments for hockey.
Richard Beer, Chief Executive of England Hockey, said:
“World-class facilities are essential to the continued success of hockey in England. The new pitch at Bisham Abbey will provide an outstanding environment for our national squads and pathway athletes to train and prepare for major international competitions. It’s equally encouraging to see the legacy of previous surfaces continuing to support clubs and communities both at home and overseas.”
The project is also part of a wider commitment to sustainability and sporting legacy, with previous hockey surfaces from our venue continuing to support the sport both in the UK and internationally.
Rather than being retired, our previous hockey pitch has been donated to Old Loughtonians Hockey Club in Essex who replaced their two pitches in September, where it will continue to serve players of all ages and abilities.
Simon Beckley, Chair of Old Loughtonians Hockey Club, said:
“We are incredibly grateful to Bisham Abbey for the donation of their former pitch. Having continued access to a high-quality surface for many years to come will make a huge difference to our players, from juniors taking their first steps in the game to senior teams competing at a high level. We’re also proud to be part of a wider legacy, knowing that our previous Olympic pitch will go on to support the growth of hockey in new communities overseas.”
The pitch it replaces also has its own legacy story. Originally one of two installed for the London 2012 Olympic Games, those surfaces have now been donated to two international venues – one in Tanzania and one in Guyana. In both locations the surface will become the first synthetic hockey pitch available locally, helping expand access to the sport and support grassroots development in each community.
Laurie Jamie, Head of Strategic Partnerships for Bisham Abbey, said:
“Bisham Abbey is a special place for the hockey community, and we are delighted to support the installation of a new world-class pitch that will inspire everyone from international athletes to grassroots players. Knowing that the former surfaces will continue to support clubs here in the UK and new communities overseas is something we are incredibility proud of.”
Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director, Partnerships and Place, Sport England, said:
“This is about more than a new hockey pitch – it’s about opening up the game, extending opportunity, and giving more people the chance to play and experience the power of sport.
“While Bisham Abbey will continue to provide a world-class environment for elite athletes, the decision to give its previous pitch a new home in a community club means more players can access a high-quality surface. It’s a simple but powerful way to grow the grassroots game and deliver a more sustainable future for sport.”