The updated Barcelona stadium has a similar idea but even more dramatic - the whole pitch is lowered underground into a chamber with sun lights, irrigation etc. so that the stadium can be used for concerts, etc. Quite impressive, to say the least.
They can grow the grass underground. Quite insane.
They're marvels of engineering. But, what a cost to get some pretty grass. Especially the Madrid implementation - not just the engineering of the lifters/underground facility, but the ongoing electrical expense running all those lights and irrigation systems? Maybe it's really just a drop in the bucket of building a massive stadium, or running a professional sports team, but I can't help buy think we (humans) have our priorities all mixed up.