Holstein Kiel has won the 'Pitch of the Year' Award 2025/26 for the best pitch quality in the 2. Bundesliga. The jury praises the work of the greenkeepers at the Holstein-Stadion. The club impressed with its pitch quality in the 2025/26 season. The jury consisted of three members of the DFL Expert Commission for ensuring pitch quality in the stadiums of the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga. The evaluation for the award is based on three blocks: the 'Sports Evaluation System', the 'Jury Measurement Check' at the stadium on site, and the seasonal measurements from the 'Self-Check of the Stadium Greenkeeping'. The 'Pitch of the Year' Award has been awarded since the 2013/14 season to promote the quality of the pitches in the two highest German leagues. The requirements for pitch quality and the properties of the pitches are constantly increasing. With this award, the DFL supports the continuous development of the quality concept for stadium grass surfaces.