29/08/2026
⚽ GRASS PITCH USAGE DURING DROUGHT ☀️🌱
Following the prolonged dry weather, the Maidstone Invicta Primary League would like to share the latest guidance regarding the use of grass pitches during drought conditions.
Importantly, there is NO blanket suspension of football on dry or brown grass pitches. A pitch being brown or dormant does not automatically mean it is unsafe or unplayable — each playing surface needs to be assessed individually.
Before training or matches, clubs should pay particular attention to:
⚠️ Surface hardness
⚠️ Significant cracks or uneven ground
⚠️ Bare or heavily worn areas, particularly goalmouths
⚠️ Any other areas that could present an increased risk to players
Clubs should check pitches early, work closely with their groundskeeper or pitch provider and communicate any concerns as soon as possible. Where appropriate, alternative pitches or fixture arrangements should be considered.
👨⚖️ On matchday, where a referee is appointed, the referee retains responsibility for deciding whether the field of play is suitable for the match. The decision should be based on the actual condition of the surface and player safety — not simply how brown or dry the pitch looks.
Our priority is simple: keep children playing football safely wherever possible, while protecting our grass pitches during these exceptional conditions.
Please swipe through our guidance and share it with your managers, coaches, grounds teams and match officials.
