Do Any NFL Stadiums Have Real Grass?

The answer may surprise you.

The Benefits of Real Grass

Real grass looks and feels great, and it’s also more durable than artificial turf. It can withstand more wear and tear, and it’s also more forgiving on players’ bodies. However, real grass does have its drawbacks. It can be more difficult to maintain, and it doesn’t always hold up well in extreme weather conditions.

Aesthetics

The lush, green look of grass is aesthetically pleasing and can add to the beauty of a home or garden. In addition, grass helps to regulate temperature and can reduce noise levels.

Player safety

Player safety is one of the main arguments for keeping real grass in NFL stadiums. Because it’s a softer surface, there is lessimpact when players fall to the ground, which reduces the risk of serious injuries. The injury argument is particularly compelling when it comes to concussions, which have been a major issue in the NFL in recent years.

Field conditions

Field conditions can have a significant impact on the outcome of a football game. Poor field conditions can lead to injuries, and players may be less able to perform at their best. Real grass is widely considered to provide the best playing surface for football, and many NFL teams have switched from artificial turf to real grass in recent years.

Artificial turf was once seen as a miracle solution for poorly maintained natural grass fields, but it has since fallen out of favor with many players and coaches. Artificial turf is harder than natural grass, and it can cause more injuries. In addition, the heat reflecting off artificial turf can be unbearable for players in hot weather games.

Real grass may require more maintenance than artificial turf, but it is widely considered to be a safer and more comfortable playing surface. Many NFL teams have made the switch to real grass in recent years, and the trend is likely to continue.

The Disadvantages of Real Grass

Many people think that real grass is the best surface for an NFL stadium. However, there are actually several disadvantages to using real grass. First of all, real grass can only be used for a limited number of games each season. This is because the grass needs time to recover between games. Also, real grass can be more dangerous for players than artificial turf.

Maintenance

The most obvious disadvantage of natural grass is the amount of regular maintenance it requires. A healthy lawn needs to be mowed, aerated, watered, and fertilized on a regular basis. This can be time-consuming and expensive. In addition, natural grass can be damaged by extreme weather conditions, pests, and disease. All of this damage can require costly repairs.

Cost

While the initial cost of installing real grass may be higher than artificial turf, the long-term costs are significantly lower. Real grass needs to be replaced every few years, while artificial turf can last up to eight years. In addition, real grass requires more maintenance than artificial turf, which means higher ongoing costs.

Weather conditions

While natural grass can withstand a variety of weather conditions, it does have its limits. Heavy rain and snow can damage the roots of the grass, leading to bare patches or dead grass. Extreme heat can also cause problems, as the roots of the grass will begin to dry out and die.

The NFL Stadiums that Have Real Grass

Out of the 32 NFL stadiums, only 12 have real grass. The other 20 have artificial turf. Most of the stadiums that have artificial turf are in warm weather climates or have retractable roofs. The 12 stadiums that have real grass are:

Green Bay Packers

Lambeau Field, home to the Green Bay Packers, is one of the few stadiums in the NFL that has real grass. The field was actually switched from artificial turf to real grass in 2006 in order to protect players from injuries.

Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks’ home, CenturyLink Field, has a grass field that was installed in 2002. Before that, the Seahawks played on an artificial surface.

Dallas Cowboys

The home of the Dallas Cowboys is AT&T Stadium, which opened in 2009. The field at AT&T Stadium is made of natural turf, specifically Bermuda grass. The decision to go with natural turf was made in part because of the heat in Texas and because the team wanted a fast playing surface.

The NFL Stadiums that Do Not Have Real Grass

Most of the stadiums in the NFL have FieldTurf, which is a type of artificial turf. However, there are a few stadiums that still have natural grass. let’s take a look at a few of them.

New England Patriots

The New England Patriots play their home games at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The stadium opened in 2002 and has a capacity of 68,756. The playing surface is FieldTurf.

New York Jets

The New York Jets home stadium, MetLife Stadium, is one of the many NFL stadiums that does not have real grass. The surface at MetLife Stadium is actually FieldTurf, which is a type of artificial turf. Although some players may prefer to play on natural grass, there are actually a number of benefits to playing on FieldTurf, including increased safety and consistency.

San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers play their home games at Levi’s Stadium, which does not have real grass. The field is made of artificial turf, which is a common surface for NFL stadiums.