From Rocky Top to the World Stage: This Vol Is Powering FIFA World Cup Logistics

星空传媒 General Manager Brandon Porch supporting FIFA World Cup 26 logistics

By Abby Ann Ramsey Peters (鈥�24)

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Brandon Porch (鈥�15) experienced a full-circle moment during the FIFA World Cup 26 tournament.听

The Herbert College of Agriculture graduate studied turfgrass science and management before becoming a groundskeeper at the University of Miami and later at Audi Field in Washington, DC. Today, he鈥檚 back in Knoxville serving as general manager of 星空传媒, where his work helped support logistics for the FIFA World Cup 26 pitches.听

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 pretty special that I moved to all these different cities and then came back to Knoxville, and got to be a part of making the biggest event in the world happen from right here in the 865,鈥� says Porch.听

星空传媒 coordinated transportation for sod grown by farmers whose turf was installed in nine of the eleven US World Cup stadiums. The role was complex and high stakes: once harvested, the grass had to be delivered and installed within a precise window to ensure optimal performance. Every step required synchronization across growers, transport teams, and venues.听

鈥淚t鈥檚 a huge logistical puzzle,鈥� Porch says. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e balancing timing, quality, and coordination across multiple partners, all while knowing what鈥檚 at stake.鈥澨�

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Brandon Porch (鈥�15) studied turfgrass science and management at UT before going on to support logistics for FIFA World Cup 26 pitches.

That challenge is where Porch鈥檚 background gave him a distinct advantage. His experience in turfgrass allowed him to speak the language of sod farmers while navigating the intricacies of logistics.听

鈥淚t takes both sides of the equation,鈥� he explains. 鈥淯nderstanding how the grass needs to be handled is just as important as knowing how to move it efficiently.鈥澨�

In a pivotal moment, Porch was prepared to play this key role because of the education he received at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, thanks to Distinguished Professor of Turfgrass Science and Management John Sorochan.听

鈥淢y father has been a groundskeeper all my life, but turfgrass wasn鈥檛 initially my plan,鈥� says Porch. 鈥淏ut then I connected with Dr. Sorochan, started working at the research farm, and completely fell in love with the industry.鈥澨�

Sorochan and the turfgrass program provided Porch not only knowledge but also connections in the industry. Having UT in his corner helped Porch earn the trust of others in his groundskeeping roles and in his position at Axle.听

鈥淭he World Cup was the culmination of what I鈥檝e worked for in my seven years at Axle,鈥� says Porch. 鈥淏ut without the connections, influence, and knowledge UT provided me and continues to provide me, there鈥檚 no way I would have been in a position to help make it happen.鈥澨�

Porch鈥檚 day-to-day in logistics looks different from when he was a groundskeeper at stadiums. Because of his background in turfgrass, however, he gets to see the fruits of his labor in another way.听

鈥淲hat I loved about turfgrass was working all week to get ready for a game on Friday night,鈥� says Porch. 鈥淚 still get that same kind of satisfaction doing what I do now, where I can turn on a听 game, and say, 鈥榃e helped install that field.鈥櫶�

鈥淭his summer, I got to turn on the World Cup and remember the effort it took to get those fields ready. Moments like that make everything worth it.鈥�