There is no denying that I love to watch the NFL. It brings me joy, pride, rage, and surprises me every time. I love experiencing all the stadiums, especially the big, shiny, modern ones. But, I never quite understood what kind of playing surface the stadiums used until recently. Thanks to a little research I found out it’s called slit-film turf.
The slit-film turf is known for its durability and is one of the most recognizable surfaces worldwide. These surfaces are used in many NFL stadiums including Gillette Stadium, Soldiers Field, M&T Bank Stadium and NRG Stadium.
The slit-film turf is actually layers of plastic with sand and black crumb rubber infill. The rubber infill is made wholesale jerseys from china recycled rubber tires which gives it the traction and durability needed for extreme field conditions. This surface is more cost-effective than sod and requires less maintenance, which is why many stadiums choose it.
Surprisingly, the surface of slit-film turf is actually extremely soft. It is made of two layers: a bottom layer of slit-film and a top layer of slit-film with acrylic fibre tufts. It’s a combination of the two that makes up the playing surface. This makes it easier to reduce player injuries and improve player performance.
Not only is the slit-film turf eco-friendly, but because of the infill it also provides a significant amount of cushioning. This helps keep the players from getting injured and allows them to play with more energy. As stadiums with this turf become much more popular, fans will have a better overall stadium experience.
I can honestly say that after learning about slit-film turf, I can truly appreciate the stadiums even more. I never paid attention to playing surfaces before, but now I’m always looking out for it. The think I love the most about it is how the stadiums so effortlessly maintain this surface, despite all the wear and tear from the games. Knowing this, I won’t take the stadiums and the turf for granted anymore.
Now that I’ve gone over the basics of what stadiums use slit film grass turf, I’d like to expand on the topic in four distinct sections.
First, why turf is the preferred playing surface amongst NFL stadiums. Turf is typically less expensive than sod. This explains why so many teams opt for this more cost-effective option. Additionally, it requires less maintenance than a grass field and can hold up even with the toughest weather conditions. All of these benefits make it the perfect match for NFL stadiums.
Second, how the turf carpet is created. The turf actually is composed of two layers of slit-film with a top layer of acrylic fibre tufts. This combined with sand and rubber infill creates the perfect surface that is both soft and durable. This combination ensures less player injuries and improved performance.
Third, how the artificial grass is able to remain so soft. The secret to soft turf carpets is the rubber infill. This infill is made from recycled rubber tires which provides the cushioning needed for the turf to remain soft and comfortable. It also helps increase the lifespan of the turf carpets by reducing the wear and tear Cheap Jerseys from china the players.
Finally, how the turf can be recycled and reused. As artificial grass becomes more and more popular, teams are doing their part to make sure the turf is recycled and reused. In fact, most stadiums have their own in-house turf recycling program that ensures the turf is reused rather than land filled. This not only helps reduce the environmental impact, but it also helps decrease costs by allowing the team to use the same turf over and over again.
On top of that, fans are now able to thoroughly enjoy the game, knowing all of the technicalities that go into making the perfect playing surface, without having to worry about the state of the turf. The best teams in the NFL take pride in having a well-maintained turf which allows for the best play on the field. Being a responsible fan means acknowledging the effort in maintaining the turf and limiting any damage to the playing surface on game days.
Now that I’ve gone in depth about the process of creating, maintaining, and reusing the turf, I am even more awed by the stadiums that use the slit film turf. I know what I’m seeing on the broadcast isn’t just a slick paint job, it’s a complex system of layers crafted together with care in order to create the perfect playing surface for NFL teams. Who knew something like this was possible?!