The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league consisting of 32 teams. Of these 32 teams, a majority use artificial turf as their playing surface, while a smaller number use real grass.
As of the 2021 NFL season, a total of 10 NFL teams use real grass as their playing surface. These teams are:
- Arizona Cardinals – State Farm Stadium
- Baltimore Ravens – M&T Bank Stadium
- Carolina Panthers – Bank of America Stadium
- Chicago Bears – Soldier Field
- Denver Broncos – Empower Field at Mile High
- Green Bay Packers – Lambeau Field
- Kansas City Chiefs – Arrowhead Stadium
- San Francisco 49ers – Levi’s Stadium
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Raymond James Stadium
- Washington Football Team – FedEx Field
It’s worth noting that some of these teams, such as the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers, have retractable roofs over their stadiums that allow them to switch between real grass and artificial turf depending on the weather or other factors. Additionally, some teams, such as the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins, have used a hybrid playing surface that combines real grass with synthetic fibers to improve durability and reduce maintenance requirements.
The use of real grass versus artificial turf is a subject of much debate in the NFL and in the wider sports world. Supporters of real grass argue that it provides a more natural playing surface that is better for player safety and reduces the risk of injury. Real grass can also be more aesthetically pleasing, and some players believe that it provides better traction and allows them to make sharper cuts and movements on the field.
However, opponents of real grass argue that it is more difficult to maintain and requires more resources to keep in good condition. Real grass can be affected by weather conditions such as rain and snow, and can become muddy and uneven, which can increase the risk of player injury. Artificial turf, on the other hand, is designed to provide a consistent playing surface that is not affected by weather conditions and requires less maintenance.
In conclusion, 10 NFL teams currently use real grass as their playing surface, while the majority of teams use artificial turf. The debate over which playing surface is better is likely to continue, with arguments on both sides about the safety, maintenance, and performance benefits of each option.