How Many NFL Stadiums Have Real Grass

If you’ve ever watched an NFL game and wondered whether the players are running on real grass or artificial turf, you’re not alone. Field surface has become one of the hottest topics in pro football, touching everything from player safety and team strategy to stadium costs and fan experience. In simple terms: some NFL teams still play on natural grass, while others use synthetic turf. The exact number changes over time as teams renovate, but here’s the clear, up-to-date picture and why it matters.

Quick Answer: How Many NFL Stadiums Have Real Grass?

As of the 2024 NFL season, 15 of the league’s 30 home stadiums use real grass (including hybrid systems where natural grass is reinforced with artificial fibers). The other 15 use synthetic turf. That 50/50 split is the result of evolving stadium technology, climate challenges, scheduling demands, and a league-wide debate about safety and performance.

It’s worth noting that this number can change. In recent years, the Carolina Panthers and Tennessee Titans switched from grass to turf, while others have doubled down on natural fields and hybrid systems. Keep reading for the full list, what “real grass” means in the NFL, and the reasoning behind each choice.

What Counts as “Real Grass” in the NFL?

When people say “real grass,” they usually think of a traditional soil-and-sod surface. In the NFL, it also includes “hybrid” fields: a natural grass pitch reinforced with thousands of artificial fibers stitched into the surface. The living grass grows around these fibers, which stabilize the root zone, reduce divots, and help the field stay playable in bad weather. Hybrid fields are still considered natural because the playing surface is living grass.

There are also portable field trays used by some teams. These massive trays hold a full natural grass field that can be rolled outside for sun and maintenance, then brought back in for games. It’s a clever way to have real grass in a covered stadium while still protecting the surface from shade and heavy event schedules.

What doesn’t count as real grass is synthetic turf, even the newest, more advanced versions. Turf systems vary widely, but they’re all artificial and don’t behave exactly like natural grass over a full season.

The List: NFL Stadiums With Real Grass (2024 Season)

Below are the NFL stadiums that use real grass, along with simple notes on what makes each surface unique. Remember, surfaces can change with renovations or event schedules, so teams sometimes re-sod mid-season or tweak grass varieties.

State Farm Stadium (Arizona Cardinals)

Arizona plays on a natural grass field grown in a giant, roll-out tray. The entire field lives outside in the sun most of the week and gets rolled into the stadium for game day. This setup allows top-tier maintenance in the desert climate and keeps the grass healthy despite a busy building schedule.

The surface is typically a warm-season Bermuda variety suited for heat and low humidity. The tray design also lets the venue host non-football events without damaging the field.

Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas Raiders)

Like the Cardinals, the Raiders use a roll-in natural grass field tray for NFL games. The grass grows outdoors and is moved inside for game day. UNLV football and many other events use a separate synthetic turf surface. This split approach protects the grass while maximizing stadium use.

The Raiders’ grass is known for a firm, even playing profile and top-end presentation under the bright lights in Las Vegas.

Levi’s Stadium (San Francisco 49ers)

Levi’s Stadium uses natural grass and has invested heavily in turf management since opening. The team had early challenges with stability and re-sodding but has since improved drainage, turf varieties, and maintenance routines to deliver a consistent surface.

The mild Bay Area climate is generally grass-friendly compared to extreme cold or heat markets.

Lambeau Field (Green Bay Packers)

Lambeau is a classic natural surface reinforced with a hybrid-stitching system and backed by undersoil heating. The heating system prevents the field from freezing solid during winter, a must in Green Bay’s climate.

The hybrid reinforcement helps the field hold up through late-season games, playoffs, and snow, keeping footing more reliable when the temperatures drop.

Soldier Field (Chicago Bears)

Soldier Field remains a natural grass venue on the windy lakefront. Chicago has experimented with different grass varieties to improve durability, including warm-season Bermuda blends that tolerate heavy use better than older setups.

Because of weather and event load, re-sodding can happen during the season. Even with improvements, Soldier Field is often one of the league’s most closely watched surfaces in the late fall.

Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia Eagles)

The Linc uses a hybrid natural surface. The fiber-reinforced profile gives players the feel of grass with better stability during bad weather. Philadelphia’s grounds crew is highly regarded and consistently delivers a quality field even late in the year.

The stadium has a busy schedule, so quick repairs and occasional re-sodding are part of the regular plan.

FedExField (Washington Commanders)

FedExField uses natural grass and has invested in upgrades in recent seasons. Historically, it has drawn criticism during late-season games, but recent changes to grass type and maintenance have aimed to improve footing and consistency.

Being in a cooler-weather market, Washington often relies on Bermuda overseeded with rye for fall color and resilience, plus careful drainage management.

Raymond James Stadium (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

In Tampa’s warm, sunny climate, natural Bermuda grass thrives. Raymond James Stadium has long been a natural grass venue, and it hosts multiple football events, including college games and bowl matchups, while maintaining a high-quality surface.

The grounds crew typically leans on fast-growing, durable Bermuda cultivars that recover quickly from wear.

GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City Chiefs)

Arrowhead features natural grass designed to handle a long season and tough late-year weather. Kansas City’s grounds team often re-sods strategic areas and manages the transition from warm-season to cool-season growth as temperatures fall.

With strong drainage and modern agronomy, the field stays playable even during winter cold snaps.

Empower Field at Mile High (Denver Broncos)

Denver’s field is natural grass, managed carefully due to altitude, intense sun, and dry air. Supplemental grow lights, targeted irrigation, and meticulous mowing patterns help maintain density and traction.

Cold nights and a long schedule make hybrid overseeding and mid-season repairs common tools for the grounds crew.

Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Dolphins)

Miami’s natural surface is well known for its lush look under South Florida’s sun. The partial canopy that shades fans changes how much sun different parts of the field receive, so the team uses grass varieties that handle variable light and heavy rain.

Drainage and quick re-sodding are key during hurricane season and when the stadium hosts multiple events in short windows.

EverBank Stadium (Jacksonville Jaguars)

Jacksonville’s natural grass benefits from a warm climate and plenty of sunlight. The surface is built to handle heavy rains, with a sand-based profile that drains quickly and reduces standing water.

Like other Florida venues, Jacksonville often uses durable Bermuda cultivars, sometimes overseeded with rye in the cooler months for color and traction.

M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore Ravens)

The Ravens returned to a natural grass surface after a period with turf, responding to player and coach feedback. The current setup emphasizes resilience, with strong drainage and a maintenance plan geared toward late-fall performance.

The surface is frequently praised for its evenness and consistent footing, even when temperatures drop.

Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh’s natural grass is famous for being one of the more challenging late-season surfaces due to weather and a heavy event slate, including college football. The grounds crew manages this with aggressive maintenance, frequent re-sodding, and careful traffic planning.

Despite the challenges, many players like how natural grass in Pittsburgh “grabs” cleats, offering familiar, predictable traction when managed well.

Cleveland Browns Stadium (Cleveland Browns)

Cleveland’s natural grass field deals with lake effect weather, wind, and late-season cold. A sand-based profile, upgraded drainage, and regular overseeding help the field hold together into December and January.

As with other northern grass venues, undersoil improvements and hybrid reinforcement strategies have helped reduce divots and slick spots over the years.

Why Some Teams Prefer Real Grass

Many players and coaches believe real grass is softer on joints and reduces the risk of certain non-contact injuries. While studies vary, a number of analyses have suggested lower rates of some lower-body injuries on grass compared to certain turf systems. Players also often say the ball behaves more predictably on well-kept grass, and cleats engage the surface in a way that feels natural.

Beyond performance and safety, there’s tradition. Iconic venues like Lambeau Field and Soldier Field are deeply linked to real grass in the minds of fans. Some teams also value the tactical side: grass can play a bit slower than turf, which can influence game plans.

Why Other Stadiums Use Synthetic Turf

On the other hand, synthetic turf solves real problems. Indoor and retractable-roof stadiums without a roll-out tray system may not get enough sunlight for healthy grass. Cold-weather cities with busy stadium calendars can struggle to keep grass alive and stable through late fall and winter.

Turf also handles constant non-football events better. Many NFL venues host concerts, soccer matches, and college games. Rolling out and protecting natural grass for all of that can be expensive and time-consuming. Synthetic surfaces reduce downtime and give operators a predictable, all-weather surface with fewer surprise repairs.

Grass vs. Turf and the Injury Debate

The conversation about injuries is ongoing. The NFL Players Association has pushed for more grass fields, citing data that suggests lower rates of some non-contact injuries on natural surfaces. The league and field manufacturers counter that not all turf is the same and that newer systems aim to match the performance and safety of well-kept grass.

It’s important to understand two things. First, “grass” covers a wide range—from traditional bluegrass to modern Bermuda hybrids and fiber-reinforced systems. Second, turf systems are not all equal; they differ in fiber shape, infill type, pad thickness, and maintenance. The injury picture depends on the exact system and the quality of upkeep, not just grass vs. turf in the abstract.

How Teams Make Grass Work: Climate and Technology

Keeping an NFL grass field healthy for four months of football (plus preseason and playoffs) is a science project. Grounds crews combine several tools to make it happen:

They choose the right grass for the climate. In hot, sunny places like Florida, teams use warm-season Bermuda varieties that recover quickly from wear. In cooler regions, bluegrass and ryegrass mixes are common, sometimes overseeded to keep the field green and dense as temperatures fall.

They use hybrid reinforcement. Fields with stitched fibers or mesh underlayment add stability without losing the feel of natural grass. This reduces divots and keeps the surface uniform in wet or cold conditions.

They control the soil environment. Sand-based profiles with advanced drainage move water away fast. Some fields have under-field heating systems to prevent freezing, and vacuum or pressure systems that control moisture and oxygen in the root zone.

They manage light and temperature. Supplemental grow lights help during short winter days or under shaded canopies. Portable trays allow grass to live outdoors in the sun and then roll in for games, solving the shade problem for domed venues.

Special Cases and Common Confusions

Some things can make the grass vs. turf picture confusing. Shared stadiums like MetLife (Giants and Jets) and SoFi (Rams and Chargers) are turf for both teams, so that’s two franchises each but only one venue. International games in London or Germany don’t count toward the total of NFL home stadiums, even though Tottenham Hotspur Stadium famously uses a roll-in grass pitch for soccer and a separate turf surface for NFL games.

You might also hear that a stadium “switches surfaces” mid-season. That almost never means going from turf to grass or vice versa. Instead, it usually means re-sodding large areas or the entire field with fresh natural grass after a heavy run of events or bad weather.

Recent Changes and What to Watch Next

The total number of grass stadiums has moved in recent years, and more changes could come. The Panthers and Titans converted to turf, which lowered the count of grass venues. Meanwhile, teams like the Ravens and Eagles have invested in hybrid systems to improve natural surfaces rather than abandoning them.

New stadium projects are on the horizon. Some planned venues are expected to use synthetic turf because they will be fully enclosed, have packed event calendars, or prioritize multipurpose flexibility. Others may consider roll-in grass trays or hybrid fields if budgets and design allow. League-wide conversations about injury data and player preferences will continue to shape these choices.

How Field Surface Affects the Game You Watch

Grass vs. turf can subtly change how games feel. On fast, modern turf, speedsters and timing-based offenses often look explosive. On natural grass, footing can be more forgiving, and late-season weather becomes a bigger factor. Kicking can also be affected by plant density and soil firmness.

For fans in the stadium, grass can smell and look different, and maintenance between quarters or drives is more visible. Turf fields tend to look consistently perfect, even if the feel underfoot is different for players.

What Teams Consider When Choosing

Costs and scheduling are huge. Natural grass can be more expensive over time, especially if a stadium hosts tons of non-football events. Weather can force frequent re-sodding, and maintaining an elite surface requires specialized staff and equipment.

On the flip side, teams that prioritize player feedback or want a traditional football aesthetic often accept those costs. Their grounds crews become a point of pride, and the surface becomes part of the team’s identity.

Simple Tips for Fans Who Want to Know the Surface

If you want to check what surface you’ll see on any given Sunday, the easiest path is the team or stadium website, which usually lists the field system. Broadcasts also mention it, especially when weather is a factor or if the venue recently changed surfaces. Beat reporters often note mid-season re-sodding, which can affect footing for a week or two.

Pay attention to late-season games in northern grass stadiums. You may notice color differences from overseeding or new sod lines after replacements. None of that is unusual; it’s how NFL crews keep fields safe and playable through winter.

FAQs

Are hybrid fields considered real grass?

Yes. Hybrid fields are living grass reinforced with synthetic fibers for stability. Players are still cutting on real plants, and these surfaces are included in the count of “real grass” stadiums.

Do any indoor NFL stadiums have real grass?

Yes, but only with special systems. The Cardinals and Raiders grow natural grass on roll-out trays that live outside in the sun and are moved indoors for games. Without that solution, grass struggles in enclosed spaces.

Does the NFL require grass for playoffs or the Super Bowl?

No. Super Bowls and playoff games have been played on both grass and turf. The choice depends on the host stadium’s surface, though the league sometimes re-sods or upgrades the field for major events.

Do teams ever switch from turf back to grass?

It happens. The Ravens, for example, returned to natural grass after a period with turf. Decisions reflect player feedback, stadium design, and how well the previous surface performed.

Is there a league-wide push to make every field grass?

The NFL Players Association has voiced strong support for grass, citing safety concerns. The league acknowledges those concerns while noting improvements in turf systems. For now, the NFL does not mandate one surface for all stadiums.

Putting It All Together

So, how many NFL stadiums have real grass today? The answer is 15 out of 30. That includes classic outdoor venues in cold-weather cities, sun-drenched fields in Florida and the Southwest, and cutting-edge tray systems in Las Vegas and Arizona. The other 15 stadiums use synthetic turf to maximize event flexibility and handle challenging climates or indoor designs.

Field surface is more than a footnote. It affects how players move, how games flow, and how stadiums are managed. As technology advances and safety research continues, expect the grass-versus-turf conversation to keep evolving. For now, fans get the best of both worlds: the tradition and feel of natural grass at half the league’s stadiums, and the consistency and durability of turf at the rest.

Conclusion

The NFL’s playing fields tell a story about the league’s past, present, and future. Real grass still covers half of the league’s home stadiums—15 in total—supported by smarter maintenance, hybrid reinforcement, and even roll-out trays. The other half rely on modern turf systems that make scheduling easier and surfaces more uniform, especially in domes and harsh climates.

There is no single right answer for every city. Weather, budget, event load, player feedback, and engineering all play a role. What’s clear is that field quality matters to everyone—players, coaches, and fans. Whether you love the tradition of a cold-weather grass game or the fast pace on turf, understanding the differences helps you watch smarter and appreciate the massive effort it takes to deliver an NFL-ready field every week.