NFL field controversy grows: Which stadiums still use artificial turf in 2026?

One of the biggest problems in the NFL is growing each and every year as players continue to petition for natural grass fields throughout the league. Many owners have obliged, and about half of the stadiums have natural grass, but there are still teams that have yet to make the switch.

Owners vs. players, turf vs. grass

It’s an issue that has created a divide between players and some owners who are still unwilling to make the switch. The league prioritizes the safety of it’s players, but are also in close contact with the owners and have yet to mandate the natural surfaces throughout the NFL. They have changed rules, improved helmets and padding and refined refereeing in the name of safety, but the fields is where the league doesn’t want to seem to meddle.

While the league emphasizes the safety of their players, one of the biggest risks in the the minds of those who put their bodies on the line each and every Sunday is the artificial surfaces that they are forced to play on in many stadiums. Injuries are a natural part of the game, but lately too many players have suffered non-contact injuries that seem to be directly related to those artificial surfaces.

So why won’t owners make the switch? Quite simply, artificial surfaces require little to no maintenance. Natural grass requires water, it requires sunlight and it requires a groundskeeping crew. It also has to be protected, which makes switching the surface out for other events like concerts, or other sporting events difficult if not impossible.

Buffalo’s Highmark the newest grass field

The NFLPA conducted a survey with players around the league recently and the results were unsurprisingly in favor of natural grass. According to the survey, 93% of players say that artificial grass serves as an impediment to their careers, while 91% feel it makes them feel more fatigued and more sore after playing on artificial grass.

One of the most memorable cases injury that was attributed to artificial turf Aaron Rodgers back when he was playing with the New York Jets. He ruptured his Achilles, while being tackled we should mention, but many pointed to the turf at Metlife Stadium. Metlife is considered one of the most dangerous stadiums to play in, but not the only one.

There are currently 15 stadiums that have natural grass while the other 15 stadiums have artificial surfaces. The two cities that have two teams that share the same stadium both have artificial grass, New York (Giants and Jets) and Los Angeles (Chargers and Rams). The Buffalo Bills used to have artificial turf at the old Highmark Stadium but the new Highmark, set to debut this season has natural grass. That leaves 15 teams with natural surfaces while the other 17 teams in the league play on turf.

Teams with natural grass

• Arizona Cardinals, State Farm Stadium, Bermuda grass
• Baltimore Ravens, M&T Bank Stadium, Bermuda grass
• Buffalo Bills, Highmark Stadium, A-Turf Titan 50
• Chicago Bears, Soldier Field, Kentucky bluegrass
• Cleveland Browns, FirstEnergy Stadium, Kentucky bluegrass
• Denver Broncos, Empower Field at Mile High, Kentucky bluegrass
• Jacksonville Jaguars, TIAA Bank Field, Bermuda grass
• Kansas City Chiefs, Arrowhead Stadium, Bermuda grass
• Las Vegas Raiders, Allegiant Stadium, Bermuda grass
• Miami Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium, Tifway 419 Bermuda grass
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Raymond James Stadium, Bermuda grass
• Tennessee Titans, Nissan Stadium, Bermuda grass
• Washington Football Team, FedExField, Bermuda grass
• Pittsburgh Steelers, Heinz Field, Kentucky bluegrass
• San Francisco 49ers, Levi’s Stadium, Bermuda grass, Perennial Ryegrass mixture

Teams with artificial turf

• Seattle Seahawks, Lumen Field, FieldTurf Revolution 360
• Atlanta Falcons, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, FieldTurf Revolution
• Carolina Panthers, Bank of America Stadium, FieldTurf
• Cincinnati Bengals, Paul Brown Stadium, UBU Speed Series S5-M Synthetic Turf
• Dallas Cowboys, AT&T Stadium, Hellas Matrix Turf
• Detroit Lions, Ford Field, FieldTurf Classic HD
• Houston Texans, NRG Stadium, Hellas Matrix Turf
• Indianapolis Colts, Lucas Oil Stadium, Shaw Sports Momentum Pro
• Los Angeles Rams, SoFi Stadium, Hellas Matrix Turf
• Los Angeles Chargers, SoFi Stadium, Hellas Matrix Turf
• Minnesota Vikings, U.S. Bank Stadium
• New Orleans Saints, Caesars Superdome, FieldTurf Revolution 360
• New York Giants, MetLife Stadium, UBU Sports Speed Series S5-M Synthetic Turf
• New York Jets, MetLife Stadium, UBU Sports Speed Series S5-M Synthetic Turf
• New England Patriots, Gillette Stadium, Fieldturf

Teams with Grassmaster (hybrid)

• Green Bay Packers, Lambeau Field, Desso GrassMaster
• Philadelphia Eagles, Lincoln Financial Field, Desso GrassMaster

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