How Many NFL Teams Have Grass Fields?

We all know that playing on grass is a different animal than playing on turf. There are a few NFL teams that have made the switch to artificial turf in recent years, but the vast majority of teams still play on natural grass.

So, how many NFL teams have grass fields? As of the 2017 season, there are 21 teams that play on grass and 9 teams that play on artificial turf.

Introduction

As of the 2019 NFL season, there are 18 NFL teams that have grass fields. This includes all 32 teams in the league, with 14 teams playing their home games on grass and four teams playing their home games on artificial turf.

The 18 teams that have grass fields are: Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders Philadelphia Eagles Pittsburgh Steelers San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tennessee Titans Washington Redskins.

The History of Grass Fields in the NFL

In the NFL, natural grass fields have been the norm for most of the league’s 100-year history. However, in recent years, more and more teams have begun to install artificial turf at their stadiums.

The first team to make the switch to artificial turf was the Houston Oilers, who installed Astroturf at their stadium in 1966. Since then, many other teams have followed suit, and there are now only a handful of teams that still play on natural grass fields.

Some of the reasons that teams have switched to artificial turf are because it is more durable than grass, it requires less maintenance, and it can be used in all weather conditions. Artificial turf can also be installed indoors, which is why some teams that play in cold climates (such as the Green Bay Packers) have switched to playing on turf.

Despite these benefits, many fans prefer natural grass fields, as they believe that artificial turf does not provide a true football experience. In addition, some players have voiced concerns about the potential for injuries on artificial turf.

At present, there are 18 NFL teams that play on natural grass fields and 13 teams that play on artificial turf.

The Present Day of Grass Fields in the NFL

The NFL has seen a recent trend of adapting artificial turf fields in order to save money on maintenance and increase reliability, but there are still a number of teams who prefer the feel and tradition of playing on grass. As of 2019, there are thirteen NFL teams who play their home games on grass surfaces.

The thirteen teams who currently have grass fields are: Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, and Pittsburgh Steelers. Interestingly, all but two of these teams (the Ravens and the Steelers) are located in warm weather climates.

While grass fields may be more susceptible to weather conditions and wear-and-tear than artificial turf, many players prefer the feel of playing on natural grass. In addition, some believe that artificial turf can contribute to more injuries due to the harder surface.

The Future of Grass Fields in the NFL

Over the past few years, there has been a continued trend of NFL teams moving away from natural grass fields and towards artificial turf. In 2016, 11 of the 32 NFL teams played their home games on artificial turf, including the Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, and Tennessee Titans. While there are benefits to playing on artificial turf (such as a more consistent playing surface), many players prefer grass because it is easier on their bodies.

There are a number of reasons why teams have decided to switch to artificial turf in recent years. One reason is that it is more durable than natural grass and can withstand the wear and tear of an entire NFL season. Artificial turf is also easier to maintain than natural grass, which requires a lot of water and regular fertilization. In addition, artificial turf can be used in all weather conditions—sunny or snowy—whereas natural grass fields can become muddy and difficult to play on in wet weather.

Despite the benefits of artificial turf, many players still prefer natural grass because it is softer and easier on their bodies. Studies have shown that players are more likely to get injured when playing on artificial turf than when playing on natural grass. In addition, some players say that artificial turf makes it harder to run and catch the football. As more players voice their preference for natural grass fields, it’s likely that we will see more teams making the switch back in the future.

Conclusion

Out of the 32 NFL teams, 20 teams have grass fields while 12 teams have artificial turf.