Not every NFL team plays on turf. Which stadiums are keeping natural grass alive?
At the start of the 2025 season, a spike in player injuries reignited the long-running debate: grass versus artificial turf. Most players prefer natural grass, citing safety concerns, yet 14 of the NFL’s 32 teams still don’t use it. Two others rely on Desso GrassMaster, a hybrid blend of natural grass reinforced with synthetic fibers.
It’s also worth noting that some teams share their venues, such as the Giants and Jets at MetLife Stadium and the Rams and Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
While modern artificial turf is far safer than the versions used in the 1990s, it still doesn’t compare to natural grass—and players continue to voice their frustrations. In 2020, after a rash of injuries on turf, NFL Players Association president JC Tretter publicly urged the league to abandon it. An NFLPA survey revealed nearly 93 percent of players believe turf negatively impacts their careers, with 91 percent reporting that it leaves them more sore and fatigued. Calls for change intensified again after Aaron Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles on turf during the Jets’ season opener on September 10, 2023.
NFL Stadiums With Natural Grass
Despite challenges with weather and maintenance, several teams continue to prioritize natural playing surfaces:
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Cold-weather teams: The Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers maintain natural grass at FirstEnergy Stadium and Heinz Field.
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Indoor stadiums with grass: Both the Arizona Cardinals (State Farm Stadium) and Las Vegas Raiders (Allegiant Stadium) use Bermuda grass. Arizona’s retractable field allows the grass to be rolled outside for sunlight and removed during non-football events like soccer or concerts.
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Bermuda grass stadiums: Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium, Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, Tampa Bay’s Raymond James Stadium, Tennessee’s Nissan Stadium, and Washington’s FedExField.
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Kentucky bluegrass stadiums: Chicago’s Soldier Field, Cleveland’s FirstEnergy Stadium, and Denver’s Empower Field.
In short, while artificial turf may be more common, the majority of NFL players still see natural grass as the safer, more reliable option—and they’re not shy about demanding it.
NFL stadiums with natural grass:
NFL stadiums with real grass
- Arizona Cardinals, State Farm Stadium, Bermuda grass
- Baltimore Ravens, M&T Bank Stadium, Bermuda grass
- 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
- 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
- Miami Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium, Tifway 419 Bermuda grass
NFL stadiums with artificial turf
Stadiums with astro turf
- Seattle Seahawks, Lumen Field, FieldTurf Revolution 360
- Atlanta Falcons, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, FieldTurf Revolution
- Buffalo Bills, Highmark Stadium, A-Turf Titan 50
- 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
- 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
NFL fields that use Desso GrassMaster
Desso Grassmaster is a hybrid grass sports playing field surface that is a mix of artificial fibers and natural grass. The combination was developed in 1993 by the Dutch company Desso Sports.
- Green Bay Packers, Lambeau Field, Desso GrassMaster
- Philadelphia Eagles, Lincoln Financial Field, Desso GrassMaster
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