All articles tagged with #turf
Extreme heat pushed Nissan Stadium’s turf to 157 degrees during the Eagles-Titans game, forcing players to improvise at halftime; Cam Jurgens and teammates lamented the scorching surface and joined calls for grass fields to improve safety and playability.
In Nashville, an NFL matchup between the Eagles and Titans was played on artificial turf that reached 157F, prompting players to douse their shoes with water and even melting cleats. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said he needed an IV, highlighting the brutal conditions and fueling ongoing calls from players to switch to grass fields to improve safety in extreme heat.
Buffalo Bills ripped out the newly installed Kentucky bluegrass on the Highmark Stadium field after roots didn’t take hold and the surface showed damage from preseason games, leading to a full re-sod before the home opener. Experts say the issues—potential disease, overwatering, drainage and misreading the field’s needs in an enclosed, wind-controlled stadium—highlight ongoing debates over natural grass versus artificial turf, with concerns about whether the field will be ready in time for upcoming games.
The Chiefs’ plan for a new domed stadium in Kansas City has not decided whether the playing surface will be natural grass or artificial turf; the team prefers grass, but implementing a movable surface (such as trays or underground storage) and the NFL Players Association’s push for grass at all NFL venues could affect costs and the final choice.
The NFLPA argues for replacing artificial turf with natural grass, but proposes a targeted, one-team-at-a-time approach beginning with the Seattle Seahawks, especially if new owner Vinod Khosla pushes the change. If Seattle switches, the plan is to apply pressure to additional turf-heavy venues (like SoFi Stadium and MetLife) to cover more games, using the shift as leverage in upcoming CBA talks. The piece notes it won’t be easy, as team owners may resist, but a focused, high-profile test on one franchise could create momentum for broader reform.
The NFL Players Association launched a coordinated #WorthTheCost push urging all NFL stadiums to install high-quality grass, arguing for player safety and tradition. But with roughly half the league already on grass and the rest on artificial turf, a league-wide switch would require enormous installation and maintenance costs and could force revenue losses from other events. Any grass mandate would likely hinge on concessions in the next Collective Bargaining Agreement, making the effort unlikely to succeed purely as a campaign, though some teams (like the Bills) have pursued grass in new facilities and others might explore it in the future.
Organizers of the first World Cup halftime show at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford plan a fast, turf-conscious setup around 4 p.m., aiming for a stadium-scale performance with acts such as Justin Bieber, Shakira, BTS, and Madonna rumored to perform, while protecting the playing surface from damage.
Gary Cohen and Ron Darling railed at the Mets’ outfield miscue that opened the scoring in Toronto, as George Springer’s looping ball was misplayed by Juan Soto and then fumbled by rookie A.J. Ewing, turning a potential play into a little-league homer. The ball went for a Springer triple (error charged to Ewing), helping the Blue Jays beat the Mets 2-1. The scene underscored a rough season for New York, which recently changed managers by firing Carlos Mendoza, and left the Mets at 35-50 with ongoing defensive woes on a high-payroll club.
Dallas Cowboys players and media urge AT&T Stadium to switch from artificial turf to natural grass after hosting FIFA World Cup matches, arguing grass reduces injuries. Despite vocal support from players, Cowboys ownership indicates no immediate plan to change the surface.
Former NFL star Greg Olsen tells Fox News he understands fan frustrations with the NFL’s streaming-rights landscape and sees the league adapting as networks pivot in a modern multi‑platform era. He also weighs in on the turf‑versus‑grass debate tied to FIFA’s World Cup games at 11 NFL stadiums, noting six venues switched to meet FIFA rules while players reportedly prefer grass; Olsen cautions that you can’t please everyone and late‑season weather and footing add complexity, even as the league remains driven by financial considerations.
The World Cup’s use of natural grass in host stadiums highlights a safety argument for the NFL: players prefer grass, injury data shows fewer noncontact injuries on grass, and despite massive profits, owners haven’t embraced the switch due to cost and multipurpose use—FIFA’s standards and safety priorities pressure the league to reconsider its turf stance.
Ohio State announced a 2026 upgrade to Ohio Stadium with Shaw Sports Turf’s Forge Series playing surface, an NFL-standard field with integrated markings and customizable end zones to support themed games. The new turf, replacing the 2022 surface amid slipping concerns, will not switch to grass due to maintenance, and will also accommodate non-football events like concerts.
Ohio State unveiled a 2026 uniform rollout featuring five distinct combinations (Core Home/Core Road, Tunnel Vision, Scarlet Rush, Sub Zero) with updates like a metallic Buckeye Stripe on sleeves, a center Block O collar, and inner jersey festoon details, all built on Nike’s Vapor F.U.S.E. fabric. A new Forge Series turf at Ohio Stadium by Shaw Sports Turf will enhance branding, playability, and safety, with game-week plans for specific uniforms. Leaders Ross Bjork and coach Ryan Day emphasize honoring tradition while advancing performance and stadium branding.
NFL players, led by NFLPA chief JC Tretter, cite a survey showing 92% of players (about 1,700) prefer grass to turf and are pushing for high-quality grass fields in NFL stadiums. Owners seek cheaper, multipurpose surfaces, so turning the tide likely hinges on concessions in the next CBA and on feasibility and cost of upgrading fields across venues that host football and other events.
The Rays used Tropicana Field to reacclimate ahead of its April 6 reopening, testing the new fiberglass roof and replacement turf as they head on a nine-game road trip. Players noted brighter light and normal ball behavior off the turf, with manager Kevin Cash calling the venue in good shape and “totally normal.” Meanwhile, Nick Martinez struggled in spring, going 0-4 with a 14.49 ERA as Tampa Bay prepares for the season after hurricane damage to the ballpark.