Turf of Workers' Stadium snapped up by Guo’an fans

（People's Daily Online）  15:31, June 13, 2013  

At 8 a.m. on June 12, 2013, the “Turf Purchase for Fans in Workers’ Stadium” and “Football Fans Open Day” were held in Beijing Workers’ Stadium. Before the activities started, over 100 fans of Beijing Guo’an Club were already waiting at the scene.

The selection area for fans was located at the north part of the pitch. Fans can choose every piece of turf they preferred in the area; the staff would cut it off and put it into a container filled with soil and bears the special mark. A piece of turf measuring 20 centimeters wide and 30 centimeters long sold for 40 yuan.

Li Jingsong, the first fan who entered the pitch, said that he and his wife have been waiting since 5 a.m. and they secured the first spot in the line. He chose a piece near the corner flag with white marking lines. He said: “The players stand right here and take the kick, so this piece is really meaningful.”

After the match between China and the Netherland yesterday, staff of the Workers’ Stadium was busy with cleaning the pitch and preparing for today’s activities till 2 a.m. today, and they continued their work very early in the morning.

This activity started in May. Nearly 2,500 fans made their bookings via the official website of the Workers’ Stadium. Besides, a few pieces of turf were available for fans to buy on site too.

The Workers’ Stadium will be using the brand-new warm-season grass to replace the cold-season grass. The grass will be grown in bases in Tongzhou.