Artificial turf first came to public attention when the new Astrodome was installed in the 1960s. It has come a long way since then. If player safety, field restoration and longevity, and accelerating player development are your top priorities, investing in artificial turf for football pitches is the right move.
1. Security.
In addition to requiring less maintenance and upkeep, the use of artificial turf on football pitches offers clear advantages to the players - greater safety for the players. Not only are there far fewer injuries on artificial turf than in the past, cleats have even been developed specifically for playing on these new surfaces to further reduce the chance of injury. There's also a special shock-absorbing pad that can be inserted during installation to reduce body shock on impact.
2. Recovery/Repair Time Is Not an Issue.
Nobody likes playing on a dilapidated football pitch where the grass is frayed and the dirt is bare. Unfortunately, the weather is often uncooperative when trying to fix the field in time for the next game.
In fact, even if maintainers manage to restore natural turf to good condition, all their hard work can be undone by an untimely rainstorm. With artificial turf, you don't have to worry about recovery time, and it drains so quickly that you can use it almost immediately, even after heavy rain.
3. The Service Life and Maintainability Are Incomparable.
If you've been hesitant to invest in artificial turf because the upfront cost is more important than natural turf, you might want to reconsider. Purchase and installation aren't the only costs to weigh.
In fact, longevity and maintenance are equally important.
A new artificial turf soccer field will not need to be replaced for five years or more. On the other hand, if a grass soccer field is to last more than two years with the wear and tear of training, games, and bad weather, it must be maintained regularly. It costs more to maintain a grass soccer field than a modern artificial turf pitch.
The cost of watering natural grass is obviously enormous. Fertilizers and pesticides are not cheap either. However, often the most overlooked cost of natural grass is the constant physical labor required to maintain its shape.
4. The Use of Artificial Turf in Football Fields Can Accelerate the Development of Players.
There's a lot to be said for training players in the best possible conditions. A Guardian article explores the pros and cons of artificial turf, with Ronnie Della making the case while coaching the Scottish Celtic football club: Artificial turf can improve the quality of the sport.
Due to the weather and the damage to natural turf caused by team activities, it is nearly impossible for players to regularly use the same pitch as artificial turf.
5. Injury Prevention
In football, player safety is paramount. The cushioning and shock-absorbing properties of artificial turf reduce the risk of injuries such as slips, falls, and joint strains. Plus, the flat surface minimizes the chances of getting stuck or tripping over grass irregularities.
6. Extended Game Time
The all-weather capability of the synthetic turf allows for extended game time, night games, and additional training sessions. This flexibility increases football facility utilization and benefits players of all levels.
7. Environmental Considerations
Natural lawns require water, pesticides, and fertilizers, whereas artificial turf does not require these resources. This eco-friendly feature makes it a sustainable choice that helps conserve water and reduce your overall carbon footprint.
8. Aesthetics and Branding
Artificial turf provides the perfect and visually appealing playing surface that remains lush and green year-round. This aesthetic quality not only enhances the stadium's appearance but also supports the football club's branding efforts.
9. Adapt to Different Locations
Artificial turf can be installed in a variety of environments, including indoor stadiums and areas with harsh climates. This adaptation broadened the scope of football's development and extended the reach of the game into areas where natural turf might not have been developed.
10. Return on Investment
While the initial investment for installing artificial turf may be higher than natural turf, the long-term benefits, including reduced maintenance costs and increased playing time, can provide clubs and organizations with a substantial return on investment.