Twickenham Stoop will be breaking new ground when it plays host to two historic games of hockey this month.

The stadium has been transformed to host the FIH Pro League double header finals against New Zealand's Black Sticks on June 23 and will see the largest hockey attendance in the UK since the 2012 Olympics.

England Hockey and its partners, including UK Sport and the National Lottery, have been investing in new innovative pitch technology which will make it possible to play hockey at the Quins' home ground.

UK Sport chief executive, Sally Munday, said: “We have made a concerted effort to ensure that hockey events offer a full experience for our fans; world class hockey on the pitch, the chance to meet the players, play on the pitch after the game, value for money, the best possible fan experience and a culture of evolving our events based on customer feedback.

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

"We’re very excited about the FIH Pro League, we’ve had a number of great matches at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre already, and then we finish this year’s league with the double header at the Stoop, which is yet another step forward for our game.”

The revolutionary hockey pitch technology introduced at the Twickenham Stoop has been developed in conjunction with a number of partners including FIH, Polytan, Polypipe, Sports Turf Research Institute, Harlequins and Sport England.

The turf on the pitch was completely removed ahead of the games, with the crown having been re-profiled, levelled, and enhancements made to the drainage system.

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

The surface being laid is a version of Polytan’s pitch which will be used at the Tokyo Olympics, which requires up to 65 per cent less water than other pitches.

Hockey turf will be laid on a strong sub-base which provides drainage and levels the grass underneath. This is known as Permavoid and is provided by Polypipe

The ground-breaking developments that lie at the heart of England Hockey’s project could, according to FIH Facilities & Programme Manager Alastair Cox, be genuinely game-changing for the sport.

“If we can make this work, it suddenly means that hockey can be played in any venue anywhere in the world," he said.

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

“There is a hardcore community in hockey that loves the sport and will go and watch it regardless of the venue, which is fantastic, but if we want to engage with the broader audience, we have to make it as an attractive, appealing and enjoyable experience as possible.”

The technology involved in setting up the pitch has been hailed as "cutting-edge" due to its reusable nature, and is expected to "help grow the sport in a sustainable manner".

Tickets are on sale now from only £11.50 for U18s and £34 for adults; prices include entry to both fixtures.

Tickets are available at: http://hockey.seetickets.com