Masterclass 2027
The Masterclass will take place on Tuesday evening, 23 March, and on Wednesday and Thursday, 24 and 25 March 2027, in Hamburg, Germany.
Grow the game.
Every year, the SGL Masterclass brings together people who share one thing: a passion for great sports turf and the people behind it.
For three days, the grounds professionals who keep the game moving come together to share their experiences, challenge each other and discover what’s happening across the industry.
Expect new technologies, honest conversations, expert insights and plenty of time to catch up with familiar faces and meet new ones.
This is where the industry comes together. And we’d love you to be part of it.
Join our worldwide community
Ask anyone who has attended a Masterclass and they’ll tell you the same thing: the people make it special.
You’ll meet grounds professionals from all corners of the world, working at clubs of every level. Some look after Champions League pitches, others work at smaller clubs with completely different challenges. But everyone has something to share.
Swap ideas, talk about what works (and what doesn’t), pick up tips from people who know their trade and build relationships that last well beyond these three days.
There’s a place for everyone here. Come and find yours.
Start the conversation before Hamburg
Download the Masterclass Events app using the link in your personal invitation email. Share your thoughts on a topic that matters to you. You’ll arrive in Hamburg knowing a few names, ready to pick up the conversation in person.
A very well organised event. It was great to meet so may turf professionals from around the world. Great to hear from a variety of people within the industry and how the work there doing could shape the future of the industry.
Welcome to Hamburg!
Moin! Hamburg is a city with an attitude that doesn’t do things by the book.
There’s a working harbour, a long history, graffiti-covered streets and the unmistakable energy of the Reeperbahn. It’s a city built on hard work, independence and a healthy disregard for convention.
It has its rough edges, and that’s exactly what makes it interesting. Football is part of its DNA, with two clubs that couldn’t be more different in character.
For the 2027 Masterclass, Hamburg is the perfect place to bring the groundskeeping community together.
Volksparkstadion, Hamburger SV
Some stadiums have a story that you can feel as soon as you walk through the doors. The Volksparkstadion is one of them.
Home to Hamburger SV, this iconic ground has witnessed generations of football, unforgettable moments and plenty of history. It also plays host to the women’s team and the German national team.
With the training ground right next door, we’ll get a closer look at the people, the pitches and the work that goes on behind the scenes.
There’s plenty to discover here.
Millerntor-stadion, FC St. Pauli
You won’t find another club quite like FC St. Pauli.
The Millerntor is loud, colourful, rebellious and unapologetically itself. The skull and crossbones, rainbow flags and unmistakable club identity tell you everything about a place that has always done things its own way.
There’s a story behind every corner, from the rainbow-coloured solar panels to the famous player tunnel, where opponents get a taste of the atmosphere before they even reach the pitch.
This is more than a stadium visit. It’s a chance to experience one of football’s most distinctive clubs up close.
And trust us, you won’t forget it.
Registration
The Masterclass is an exclusive event for SGL-customers. You can register using the link in the official invitation sent to your inbox. If you haven’t received the invitation or can’t locate it, please send an email to marketing@sglsystem.com.
Programme
Join us in Hamburg to hear from guest speakers and see familiar topics from a different angle. Our interactive sessions will challenge your thinking and open up your perspective. You might leave with an idea you never expected to try on your own pitch.
Pre-Masterclass drinks
Welcome to the Masterclass!
Join us from 20:30 for welcome drinks and a chance to meet the other guests. The drinks are on us. We’ll serve light snacks, so we recommend having dinner beforehand.
Masterclass day 1
Day 1 takes place at HSV’s Volksparkstadion.
More details will follow.
Masterclass day 2
Day 2 takes place at FC St. Pauli’s Millerntor-Stadion. The programme will end approximately 16:00.
More details will follow.
Hosts & Speakers
Christoph Strachwitz
Christoph Strachwitz is Head Greenkeeper at Hamburger SV, a role he has held since 2012. He is responsible for the pitch at the Volksparkstadion and the club’s training grounds, leading the team that prepares and maintains the playing surfaces throughout the season. Christoph joined HSV in 2007 after gaining experience in golf course maintenance at Golfclub Gut Rieden.
His approach combines practical experience with technology, to understand pitch conditions and guide daily maintenance. His work focuses on maintaining high-quality playing surfaces while using water and energy efficiently.
For me, the Masterclass always brings something new and genuinely useful to sports turf management. If you want to stay on top of the latest practices and hear directly from peers and experts about the global challenges we’re all dealing with, it quickly becomes one of those events you don’t want to miss.
East Hotel Hamburg
Located in Hamburg’s lively St. Pauli area, east Hotel is our event hotel and a great base for your stay. Set in a former factory, it combines modern design with the character of its historic building. The spacious, comfortable rooms offer a place to relax, while the restaurant and bar are ideal for enjoying a meal or meeting other guests. Its central location makes it easy to explore Hamburg in your free time. With its warm atmosphere and unique style, east Hotel offers a welcoming place to enjoy both the event and the city.
Travel
East Hotel Hamburg, our event hotel, is located at Simon-von-Utrecht-Straße 31, 20359 Hamburg, in the St. Pauli area. The hotel is within walking distance of St. Pauli underground station and Reeperbahn train station.
Arriving by plane
Hamburg Airport (HAM) is the most convenient airport for your stay.
- By taxi: allow around 30 minutes to reach the hotel, depending on traffic.
- By public transport: allow around 45–55 minutes, including walking and waiting time. Take the S1 train directly from the airport to Reeperbahn station, then walk approximately 10 minutes to the hotel.
Please note: We will arrange all transport included in the official Masterclass programme. You are responsible for arranging and paying for any transport outside the programme, including travel to and from the airport and any transport you need if you leave early.
Arriving by train
From Hamburg Central Station (Hamburg Hauptbahnhof), take the U3 underground line via Landungsbrücken to St. Pauli. From there, the hotel is approximately a 5-minute walk.
Tip: use the hvv app or website to plan your public transport journeys, check current connections and buy tickets.
Arriving by car
A public underground car park is directly connected to the hotel. The entrance is at Simon-von-Utrecht-Straße 33, next to the main hotel entrance. Parking currently costs €25 per 24 hours. Spaces are subject to availability and cannot be reserved in advance.
Visa requirements for Germany
Depending on your nationality, you may need a Schengen visa to attend the Masterclass in Hamburg. Before booking your trip, use Germany’s official Visa Navigator to check whether you need a visa.
Really enjoyed this years masterclass, very informative and met so many different grounds people from different backgrounds, who I would never usually meet. Thanks to SGL for a great couple of days!
Terms & Conditions
- Registration is open to SGL customers only.
- Each customer (club/company/venue) is allowed to register a maximum of three people.
- There is a maximum of 120 participants.
- After 120 registrations, following registrations will be put on a waiting list.
- Tickets are sold on a first come first serve base.
- Registration closing date: Sunday, 31 January 2027.
- Transfers to and from the airport are at your own expense.
- The hotel stays booked via the registration form are from Tuesday 23 March to Thursday 25 March (two nights in total).
- Customers who are entitled to a discount on their Masterclass tickets can find their discount code in the invitation sent by email. Please see the conditions of the Sustainability Incentive Programme for further details. If something is incorrect, please contact us at marketing@sglsystem.com.
- Food and beverages will be provided during the official programme on Wednesday and Thursday. Therefore, no joint dinner will be organised on Tuesday.
- Each participant is responsible for checking the entry requirements for their trip and for obtaining and carrying all required travel documents, including any visas or travel authorisations they need.
Payment & cancellation
- Your payment must be received by Monday, 1 March 2027 to participate in the SGL Masterclass 2026. Otherwise, we reserve the right to declare your registration invalid.
- For payment and/or invoice queries, please contact finance@sglsystem.com.
- Cancellations received after Friday, 19 February 2027 will be non-refundable.
- Notification of cancellation must be in writing – by email to marketing@sglsystem.com.
