The prestigious Lawn of the Year 2025 award goes to Doosan Arena! Viktorka has won it for the third time in recent years and boasts the best football pitch across the first and second leagues.

The Lawn of the Year award is presented annually by the IOG (The Institute of Groundsmanship Czech Republic z.s.) and the FAČR Stadium and Playing Field Commission. At this year´s ceremony, which took place in Brno, representatives of Viktoria Plzeň came to receive the first prize!

"This is a very prestigious award for us and, above all, a great recognition for our entire team of groundskeepers, led by Josef Marcel, who take care of the playing field 24 hours a day, seven days a week," said Tomáš Samec, the club´s technical director.

"I am delighted that our summer investment in hybrid turf at the municipal stadium has paid off. But cutting-edge technology alone is not enough. Excellent care is also needed, and at Viktoria, that care is of the highest standard. The Turf of the Year 2025 award is a reward for the entire city and also proof of our excellent cooperation, which we will continue," said Roman Zarzycký, Mayor of Pilsen.

It was the city of Pilsen that decided to purchase a new special hybrid turf with stitched artificial fibers before the current season. "The field is more compact, it doesn´t tear, and the players really like it. The game is faster on it, especially when it´s properly watered. But that´s standard today. In addition, the turf should be more durable and visually greener during the winter months that await us," said Josef Marcel, the club´s head turfman, who has been taking care of the playing surface not only at Doosan Arena but also at the training facility for twenty-three years, explaining the advantages of hybrid turf.

During that time, he won the Lawn Mower of the Year award, and the main area in Štruncovy sady was named Lawn of the Year three times. "Of course, every award like this makes me very happy. Hundreds of hours of work by our entire team are behind it. We certainly also benefit from the many years of experience that we share with colleagues across the country," said Josef Marcel.

During his more than twenty years of practice, he has also experienced many humorous moments. For example, when he was not afraid to intervene and "protect the small penalty area" from world stars. "I remember how, before the match against Real Madrid, I literally chased Sergio Ramos and goalkeeper Courtois out of the penalty area during a stadium inspection. I just didn´t like that they were deliberately trampling on it, and I wanted everything to be perfectly prepared for the match itself," he smiled at the seven-year-old memory.