LED grow lighting illuminates a Champions League level pitch at VfB Stuttgart

How VfB Stuttgart’s Head Greenkeeper Fabian Riesterer upgraded to LED grow lighting technology

VfB Stuttgart finished 15th in the Bundesliga in the 2021/22 season and narrowly avoided relegation again in 2022/23, surviving via playoffs after finishing 16th. Remarkably, in 2023/24, they climbed to second place, earning a spot in the prestigious Champions League.

Competing in Europe’s elite competition demands a pitch of the highest standard, and that responsibility lies with Fabian Riesterer. At 34, VfB Stuttgart’s Head Greenkeeper has witnessed the club’s turbulent years firsthand and is now focused on maintaining a Champions League-level playing surface with the help of new LED grow lighting units.

A passion for groundskeeping

Fabian discovered his passion for groundskeeping during an internship at SC Freiburg, where he first fell in love with the craft. Determined to pursue a career in the industry, he educated himself further and began his professional journey at TSG Hoffenheim’s youth complex. It was there that Fabian was first introduced to SGL’s grow lighting technology, with HPS lights being used at the time.

After rejoining SC Freiburg for a few years, Fabian couldn’t resist the opportunity when VfB Stuttgart offered him the position of Head Greenkeeper, especially with the 2024 European Championships in Germany fast approaching. Fabian had a strong start at VfB Stuttgart, taking charge of a pitch reconstruction and irrigation system at the 60,058-capacity MHPArena, and initiating the plans for replacing the lighting rigs.

Trust the process

Replacing the lighting rigs was a process that took time, largely due to the turbulent period the club was experiencing. The journey began back in 2022, shortly after Fabian joined VfB Stuttgart. “The club was not in the best situation, with the near relegation in 2023 and the financial challenges following Covid-19, those issues left their financial mark. That’s why we had to wait so long,” Fabian explained. However, he always believed it was only a matter of time. “There was never any hesitation about buying them because we really need them here.”

The incredible rise of VfB Stuttgart in the 23/24 season proved again that football is an unpredictable game of inches and moments. One season, the club was battling relegation, and the next, they were celebrating a place in the Champions League. “It was crazy to go from almost being relegated to now playing in the Champions League, it helped us a lot financially!” Fabian said.

That remarkable turnaround had a direct impact on the grounds team, who finally received the green light from stadium management. “We never had to discuss the specifics of the new system with stadium management. We didn’t debate how many units or turf coolers were necessary because they trust us 100% to choose the best and most economical solution for the club.”

With that trust in place, the club signed a contract for nine LED440s and three LED120s, receiving the units just in time for winter. “The delivery was incredibly fast! Within three weeks of placing the order, the units were running on the pitch.”

Why LED? A strategic choice

Fabian and the grounds team now have the latest LED grow lighting technology at their disposal. But why did they choose LED? “In southern Germany, we face the challenge of really hot summers and really cold winters, so we don’t need the extra heat that HPS lights generate all year round,” Fabian explains.

One of the major advantages of LED grow lighting is the separation of light and heat, offering significant energy-saving potential. VfB Stuttgart plans to capitalise on this feature. “We only need the heat in winter, but not during the rest of the year. This allows us to keep the infrared heat turned off when it’s not necessary, saving energy,” Fabian added.

The effectiveness of the technology had already been demonstrated by a previous LED testing unit. “I liked the idea from the start, and after seeing the results of the testing unit, I was confident it would work for us.”

VfB Stuttgart previously relied on nine MU360 units that were nearly a decade old. The new LED units mark a significant step forward. “We’re making a big leap by upgrading from the smaller MU360s to the larger LED440 units in combination with the LED120s. This upgrade puts us in a very comfortable position,” Fabian stated.

Fabian recognises the advancements of the new LED grow lighting units. “When I worked at SC Freiburg in 2021, we used LED440 units. I can now see the improvements in the fixtures and light bulbs of the new models.”

“LED technology delivers stronger grass roots and better density, making the pitch easier to handle and ready for Europe’s elite.”

Fabian Riesterer ,

Head Greenkeeper

A pitch ready for Europe’s elite

These innovations are already proving their value “LED technology delivers stronger grass roots and better density. The grass length is also slightly different, making it easier to handle with the mower.”

To conclude, how are things going today with the pitch and the LED units? “It’s 12°C now in December. We’ve kept the infrared heating turned off, which is an easy way to save money right now.”

VfB Stuttgart’s investment in LED grow lighting technology showcases the value of innovation and trust from stadium management in groundskeeping. Fabian Riesterer and his team have created a pitch that balances elite performance with sustainability. With these innovations, the club is set to shine on Europe’s biggest stage, both on the field and behind the scenes.