Ethan Clarke
Kilmarnock has an artificial pitch at its Rugby Park stadium, which is used by the club's men's and women's teams. The club had initially planned to switch to a grass pitch for the 2025-26 season, but these plans have been delayed, with the new pitch now expected to be in place for the 2026-27 season. Kilmarnock's pitch is the last remaining artificial surface in the Scottish Premiership, with the use of synthetic pitches in the top flight set to be banned from 2026.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current pitch type | Artificial/Plastic |
| Plans to switch to grass | Yes, delayed to 2026/27 |
| Year of switch to artificial turf | 2014 |
| Year of installation of new artificial turf | 2019 |
| Stadium name | Rugby Park |
| Clubs with an aversion to Kilmarnock's pitch | Rangers, Celtic |
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What You'll Learn
- Kilmarnock's plastic pitch is the only one remaining in the top flight
- Kilmarnock's plastic pitch has been in place since 2014
- Kilmarnock's new training centre will have two full-size grass pitches
- Premiership clubs have voted against the use of plastic pitches from 2026
- Managers of rival clubs have been critical of Kilmarnock's plastic pitch
Kilmarnock's plastic pitch is the only one remaining in the top flight
Kilmarnock's plastic pitch, or artificial grass surface, at Rugby Park is the only one remaining in the top flight of Scottish football. The club had initially planned to revert to a natural grass pitch for the 2025-26 season. However, these plans were delayed, and the club now intends to switch to a grass pitch for the 2026-27 season.
Kilmarnock installed an artificial surface at their stadium in 2014 and upgraded it before the 2019-20 season. The use of artificial pitches in the Scottish Premiership has become increasingly unpopular in recent years, with several managers, including Brendan Rodgers of Celtic, expressing their criticism and preference for grass pitches.
In June 2024, Premiership clubs voted to ban artificial pitches in the top flight starting from 2026. Livingston's relegation left Kilmarnock as the only club in the top flight with an artificial pitch. The club's majority shareholder, Billy Bowie, intends to begin work on the new Bowie Park training facility, which will include two full-size grass pitches, a 250-seat stand, and a training complex. The new training ground will be located between Kilmarnock and Crookedholm.
Kilmarnock's delay in switching to a grass pitch was due to the completion date of the new training facility being pushed back. The club had intended to coincide the switch with their move to the new complex. With the new facility now expected to be completed later, Kilmarnock will retain their artificial surface for another season before making the transition to grass.
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Kilmarnock's plastic pitch has been in place since 2014
Kilmarnock's Rugby Park is the only stadium in the top flight with a plastic pitch. The club has played on an artificial surface since 2014, when they initially switched from grass. In 2019, they installed a new, upgraded pitch. However, Kilmarnock's plastic pitch has faced criticism from managers of other clubs, such as Celtic's Brendan Rodgers, who have expressed their preference for grass pitches.
As a result of the criticism and the increasing unpopularity of synthetic surfaces, Scottish Premiership clubs voted to ban artificial pitches in the top flight from 2026. Following this decision, Kilmarnock planned to revert to a grass pitch for the 2025-26 season. The club intends to coincide this change with their move to the new state-of-the-art Bowie Park Training Centre, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
The new training facility, located between Kilmarnock and Crookedholm, will feature two full-size pitches, a 250-seat stand, and a training complex. It will be the home of the Kilmarnock Women's team and the youth academy. However, Kilmarnock has recently delayed their switch back to a grass pitch for another year, pushing the planned change to the 2026-27 season. This delay is due to the completion date of the new training centre project being pushed back, forcing the club to retain its plastic turf for one more season.
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Kilmarnock's new training centre will have two full-size grass pitches
Kilmarnock has delayed its plans to switch from an artificial pitch to a grass pitch for another year. The club had initially planned to return to a grass surface at Rugby Park for the start of the upcoming season. However, these plans have changed due to a delay in the completion of their new state-of-the-art Bowie Park Training Centre. The new training facility, located between Kilmarnock and Crookedholm, was expected to be ready by the end of next year and would have included two full-size grass pitches, a 250-seat stand, and a training complex.
The Ayrshire club has played on an artificial surface since 2014 but now aims to revert to grass for the 2025/2026 season. Kilmarnock's majority shareholder, Billy Bowie, hopes that work on the new training ground can begin soon, pending final planning approval. The switch to grass is aligned with the Scottish Premiership's decision to ban artificial pitches in the top flight from 2026, with Kilmarnock's Rugby Park being the only remaining artificial surface following Livingston's relegation.
The new Bowie Park Training Centre will serve as the home of Kilmarnock's women's team and youth academy. The centre will provide a dedicated training base for the club, allowing them to move away from their current plastic turf. Kilmarnock's decision to transition to grass is supported by other Premiership clubs, with managers such as Brendan Rodgers expressing relief over the reduction of artificial pitches in the top flight.
While Kilmarnock has delayed its immediate plans to switch to a grass pitch, the club remains committed to making the change in the near future. The completion of the Bowie Park Training Centre will be a pivotal step in this process, enabling Kilmarnock to offer improved training facilities and a grass playing surface for its players and the local community.
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Premiership clubs have voted against the use of plastic pitches from 2026
Kilmarnock's Rugby Park is the only top-flight club with an artificial pitch. The club had initially planned to switch to a grass pitch for the 2025-26 season. However, they have delayed the switch for another year and will now transition to a grass pitch for the 2026-27 season.
The decision comes amidst a broader trend of Premiership clubs voting to phase out artificial pitches. In May 2024, Scottish Premiership clubs voted to ban artificial pitches in the top flight from the 2026-27 season. The vote, which required a minimum of nine votes from the 12 Premiership clubs, passed with at least nine clubs voting in favour. The SPFL granted a two-year period for clubs to phase out artificial pitches, ensuring that clubs with Premiership ambitions have adequate time to make the transition.
The vote was met with criticism from some lower-league clubs, including Falkirk, Raith Rovers, and Hamilton Accies. These clubs, which have artificial pitches, argued that the ban on artificial surfaces creates unnecessary barriers and disincentives for clubs aspiring to reach the Premiership. They also highlighted the challenges of maintaining high-quality grass pitches in Scotland's climate, which is characterised by high rainfall and low sunshine.
Despite the criticisms, the vote reflects a preference for grass pitches among Premiership clubs and a commitment to improving the standards of grass pitches in the top flight. The SPFL is working with a leading pitch consultancy firm to enhance the quality of grass surfaces, ensuring that clubs can maintain high-standard playing fields year-round.
With the phase-out of artificial pitches in the Premiership, clubs like Kilmarnock are adjusting their plans and timelines to align with the new requirements.
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Managers of rival clubs have been critical of Kilmarnock's plastic pitch
Kilmarnock's plastic pitch at Rugby Park has been a source of controversy, with managers of rival clubs criticising its use. The club had initially planned to revert to a grass pitch for the 2025-26 season, but these plans were delayed due to construction setbacks. Kilmarnock is now aiming for a 2026-27 switch, per the SPFL's two-year phase-out period.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers expressed relief that he would no longer have to play on Kilmarnock's plastic pitch, stating his preference for grass. He acknowledged the financial considerations of clubs but argued for a standard where Premiership teams should have grass pitches. Rodgers' comments were made in December 2023, ahead of a match at Rugby Park.
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard was also highly critical of Kilmarnock's pitch, declaring that "elite football shouldn't be played on plastic pitches." His remarks came after a game where Rangers winger Jamie Murphy suffered a knee injury. Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor echoed this sentiment on social media, calling for the removal of such pitches.
The backlash against Kilmarnock's pitch reflects a broader trend of synthetic surfaces falling out of favour. Premiership clubs have voted to ban artificial pitches from 2026, with Livingston's relegation leaving Rugby Park as the only artificial pitch in the top flight. Kilmarnock's plans to return to grass are tied to the development of their new Bowie Park Training Centre, which has faced delays.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Kilmarnock currently has an artificial pitch.
Kilmarnock initially switched to an artificial grass pitch in the summer of 2014.
Kilmarnock switched to an artificial pitch due to economic reasons.
No, Kilmarnock's players and management have expressed a preference for grass pitches.
Kilmarnock plans to switch back to a grass pitch for the 2025-2026 season. However, there have been delays, and some sources indicate that the switch may not occur until the 2026-2027 season.
