Livingston FC have announced that they will replace their plastic pitch at the Set Fare Arena next season. The newly promoted Premiership side confirmed on Monday afternoon that they would lay down a new synthetic pitch ahead of the new campaign, which they aim to have in place before next season’s Premier Sports Cup.
Livi secured promotion to the top flight after a 5-3 aggregate win over Ross County. The Staggies went 2-0 up on the night before Martindale’s side responded with four goals without answer to bring them back to the Premiership. This means that Celtic will require to visit the West Lothian club at least once next season as they look to win 5IAR.
In a statement released by the club, Livi confirmed that they would be installing an MX Elite playing surface, which is currently utilised by other SPFL clubs.
“We’re pleased to confirm that we’ll have a new artificial playing surface installed here at the Home of the Set Fare Arena ahead of the 2025/26 season.
“The club has been working hard behind the scenes over the last few weeks and months to put the planning in place and source the funds to make this possible.
“The new surface itself is the latest generation of MX Elite – a high-tech woven system offering the very best performance characteristics for professional football, the same currently used by a number of other sides at all levels of the SPFL.
“We’re hopeful that this will be completed and ready ahead of the Premier Sports Cup group stage matches starting in mid-July but should that change, we’ll update you all accordingly with any change of venue for those opening home ties.”
The result is the Playoff means that there will be three Premiership teams next season with plastic pitches after Falkirk joined Kilmarnock in the top flight. The disappointing factor in the relegation of both St Johnstone and Ross County, notwithstanding the geography of the two teams, is that two decent grass pitches are lost to be replaced with two plastic pitches, which are often conducive towards poor games of football.
Teams have recognised this, resulting in the vote to outlaw plastic pitches from the 2026/27 season. Killie have confirmed that they will have a plastic pitch until the ban comes in while there has been no update from Falkirk, who pipped Livi to the Championship title. The Bairns feel aggrieved at the potential expense of laying down a grass pitch. The league should offer assistance to teams that require to put down a grass pitch if they struggle to do so themselves.
It should be no grass pitch
Stay where you are
No grass pitch no entry. The material used is highly toxic. Skin exposure proven to cause cancer. SPFL are crazy to allow it
Pathetic 3 next season! It should have been from this season coming they were banned! Livingston putting new one also they must think it’s going be allowed the season the ban comes in no chance! Tell the 3 of them they are banned now! Kilmarnock are the worst tho as they lied about changing it but why they going need grass regardless of this supposed ” training ground” they like the other 2 are hoping to be allowed to continue on these Pathetic surfaces so are stalling in the hope they are allowed , as I said earlier Livingston obviously think they can do it otherwise why put in a new one if they thoight it be ripped up next season! Ban them ASAP! A disgrace and Kilmartin have got away with this for 10 year plus!!
Unbelievable. How many times were Falkirk denied promotion due to their ground not being up to standard? Livi should be told they can not come up unless they have grass pitch by the season opener.
Why let them spend on this to rip it up the next year?
This is about player safety. Why not just allow Sevco fans a standing area between the touch line and boundary fence behind the keepers.
If you get plastic pitches, then we get to make Roy Aitken tackles to even up the injury tolls.
Can’t believe I am always so surprised at the provincial league mindset of the powers that be in our league.
The rule is that plastic pitches will be banned from the Scottish Premiership by 2026, which is absolutely the right decision by the SPFL. No league can be called “Premier” that has plastic playing surfaces in use. If Livingston and other sides cannot afford a grass pitch then they should be relegated to the Championship and make way for a club that can meet the high standards expected of Premiership clubs.
By announcing this new plastic surface, Livingston FC are thumbing their nose at the footballing body responsible for maintaining good standards and safe playing surfaces for all clubs in the Premiership. They should be brought to book immediately for this undermining of our Premier League.