Grass or turf? Looking back at every Super Bowl playing surface (2024)

FAQs

Is the Super Bowl being played on real grass or artificial turf? ›

Is the Super Bowl played on grass or turf in 2024? Super Bowl 58 will be played on grass. Even though Allegiant Stadium is a dome, it has a grass field that is on a track with wheels so it can be moved in and out of the stadium to get sunlight.

Its only public comment was a statement issued after the game: "The State Farm Stadium field surface met the required standards for the maintenance of natural surfaces, as per NFL policy. The natural grass surface was tested throughout Super Bowl week and was in compliance with all mandatory NFL practices."

The Philadelphia Eagles are one of two teams (Green Bay Packers) that play on a combination of turf and grass at Lincoln Financial Field, which opened in 2003. Currently, 14 teams out of 32 do not play on real grass.

An NFLPA survey revealed that 92% of players prefer to play on high-quality grass, 6% percent were indifferent between grass and synthetic turf, and most of the 2% who prefer synthetic turf are kickers. "Grass fields have a lower injury rate," Howell said.

Astroturf, a hard, synthetic alternative to grass, became widespread in the NFL in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. When the Houston Astrodome, known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” opened in 1965 as the home to the Oilers, a problem emerged: the grass didn't grow. So fake grass, “Astroturf,” was used instead.

In sunny, warm weather, artificial turf can become much hotter than natural grass, raising concerns of heat-related illness and skin burns for athletes playing on the fields.

Eagles' Nick Sirianni explains why he cried during Super Bowl national anthem. Published: Feb.

According to Toma, who has been nicknamed The Sodfather, the field was watered the Wednesday morning before the game and promptly rolled into the stadium on the moveable tray that housed the grass field for the last time before kickoff four days later.

The grass took 18 months to prepare and cost the NFL around $800,000, Toma said.

The two NFL fields that use a hybrid solution (a mix of artificial fibers and natural grass) are: Green Bay Packers: Lambeau Field. Philadelphia Eagles: Lincoln Financial Field.

Is the Eagles Field heated? ›

Heating is all electric. The facility contains 24 McQuay air-handling units and 235 fan-powered boxes with electric heat.

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Tome supervised the grass for the previous 57 Super Bowls. Nick Pappas, the field director of the NFL, is now in charge of the field. Pappas and his crew installed the field about a month ago, which is all-natural grass and planted with various sensors that tell the soil temperature and moisture content.

The athletes performed each test two times: once on field turf and once on natural grass. Times were compared to see if performance was affected by the playing surface. There was no significant difference in 40-yard dash times: average 5.34 seconds on field turf and 5.33 seconds on natural grass.

Similar findings were reported in a separate study that analyzed 4,801 NFL foot and leg injuries during 2012-2016 regular season games. That research found 16% more injuries per play on artificial turf compared to grass.

The grass took 18 months to prepare and cost the NFL around $800,000, Toma said.

The trophy is made of sterling silver and the top part is designed to look like a regulation-size football. It weighs seven pounds and stands 22 inches tall.

Artificial grass can be suitable for football as it offers a durable and consistent playing surface. It requires less maintenance compared to natural grass and can withstand heavy use. However, some players and coaches have concerns about the impact of artificial turf on player safety and performance.

The Sugar Bowl is played on artificial turf - let's go to New Orleans.