How an extraordinary team effort helped prepare Naadam Stadium for one of Mongolia's most important cultural celebrations.

For one week, Naadam Stadium in Erdenet became the heart of one of Mongolia's most significant celebrations.

As Mongolia's second-largest city marked its 50th anniversary, the Erdenet 50th Anniversary Festival and Naadam, officially titled "Pride of the Century – Erdenet", brought together a remarkable combination of national traditions, sporting excellence and community celebration. Held from 20 to 26 July 2026, the week-long programme united the city's Golden Jubilee with the 2026 Regional Naadam Festival, the Regional Horse Racing Competition and the Mongolian Equestrian Sports Tournament, creating a historic celebration that welcomed participants and visitors from across the country.

For one week, Naadam Stadium became the stage where Mongolia's history, culture and traditions came to life. Traditional ceremonies, music, dance and performances celebrated the spirit of Naadam while honouring the city of Erdenet and its remarkable development over the past five decades. Broadcast live across the nation, the festival connected communities far beyond the stadium itself, reinforcing the importance of shared heritage and collective celebration.

For an international audience, understanding the significance of this event begins with Naadam itself. More than simply a sporting festival, Naadam is Mongolia's most important cultural celebration. With roots dating back to the era of Genghis Khan, it brings together centuries-old traditions through wrestling, horse racing and archery, alongside music, dance, ceremonies and community gatherings. Every province and city celebrates its own Naadam, making it one of the country's most cherished expressions of national identity. By combining Erdenet's Golden Jubilee with these traditions, the city created an event that celebrated not only fifty years of progress, but also Mongolia's enduring cultural heritage.

At the centre of this historic occasion was a newly installed Pure PT™ surface. While the spotlight rightly belonged to the celebrations themselves, preparing Naadam Stadium in time required an extraordinary effort behind the scenes. With the order confirmed only at the end of June and the opening ceremony scheduled for 24 July, every day counted.

The timeline challenged every stage of the project. Once the order was confirmed, TenCate Asia immediately prioritised production to ensure the surface could be manufactured and shipped without delay. The turf rolls arrived in Mongolia on 20 July, leaving only a matter of days before thousands of performers, athletes and guests would enter the stadium for the opening ceremony.

From the moment delivery was completed, installation teams worked continuously, day and night, transforming the venue in just two days. By 23 July, Naadam Stadium was ready. Less than twenty-four hours later, it welcomed thousands of performers and guests for the opening of one of Mongolia's most important anniversary celebrations.

The customer praised the outstanding support provided by the TenCate Asia team, recognising the rapid production planning, dedicated installation supervision and close collaboration that turned what initially seemed an impossible deadline into a successful reality. It was a project that demonstrated what can be achieved when every partner works towards a common goal.

While the Pure PT™ installation was completed under extraordinary time pressure, this project ultimately represents something much bigger than a new playing surface. It demonstrates how sports infrastructure can support moments that define communities. Stadiums are places where athletes compete, but they are equally places where cultures are celebrated, traditions are preserved and generations come together.

For TenCate, contributing to this project was about far more than delivering a sports surface. It was about helping prepare the stage for an event that celebrated the identity, history and future of one of Mongolia's most important cities. Thanks to the dedication of everyone involved, Naadam Stadium was ready when the moment arrived, allowing thousands of people in attendance, and millions watching across the country, to celebrate Erdenet's Golden Jubilee together.

Source: Bayan-Öndör District Governor’s Office