NFL Turf Vs. Grass Debate Gains Momentum Among Team Leaders

WHO:

Sports Illustrated - Raiders owner Mark Davis stated, “I just always felt that football should be played on grass... for safety purposes, No. 1.”

Sports Illustrated - Cowboys owner Jerry Jones confirmed they would not keep the grass fields at AT&T Stadium after the World Cup, stating, “We have no belief that it’s any safer to play on grass.”

Sports Illustrated - NFL players, NFL owners, Raiders owner Mark Davis, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, Broncos coach Sean Payton, Giants coach John Harbaugh, NFL's chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills.

WHAT:

Sports Illustrated - The Bills are noted as the most recent team to switch from turf to grass with the opening of their new stadium this year.

Sports Illustrated - NFL players have called for a switch from turf to grass fields, particularly during the World Cup.

Sports Illustrated - Seven NFL stadiums that hosted World Cup games switched from turf to grass.

Sports Illustrated - There are 14 NFL stadiums that still use turf, and 15 that use grass.

Sportskeeda - The debate over grass versus synthetic turf has resurfaced due to the World Cup.

WHERE:

Sports Illustrated - The seven NFL stadiums that hosted World Cup games and switched from turf to grass include AT&T Stadium, Gillette Stadium, Lumen Field, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, MetLife Stadium, NRG Stadium, and SoFi Stadium.

Sports Illustrated - NFL stadiums including AT&T Stadium (Cowboys), Bank of America Stadium (Panthers), and MetLife Stadium (Giants & Jets) are mentioned.

Sports Illustrated - Seattle is noted as the host city for a World Cup game.

WHEN:

Sports Illustrated - The 2026 FIFA World Cup is referenced as a future event prompting the turf to grass debate.

WHY:

Sports Illustrated - Players believe grass fields are safer and feel better to play on compared to turf.

Sports Illustrated - NFL owners have avoided switching to grass due to maintenance costs and the ability to host events on turf.

HOW:

Sports Illustrated - Sean Payton expressed that the NFL's game is different due to the type of football shoes worn, indicating a potential shift towards grass fields in the future.

Sports Illustrated - The NFL's chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills stated that recent data has not shown a significant difference in injury rates between turf and grass fields.

In a recent statement, Raiders owner Mark Davis emphasized the importance of playing football on grass for safety reasons, while Cowboys owner Jerry Jones confirmed that they will not maintain grass fields at AT&T Stadium after the World Cup, asserting that they don't believe grass is any safer. The Bills have recently transitioned from turf to grass with the opening of their new stadium, joining the ranks of seven NFL stadiums that hosted World Cup games and made the switch, including AT&T Stadium and SoFi Stadium. Additionally, Sean Payton highlighted that the type of football shoes worn in the NFL could lead to a potential shift towards grass fields in the future.