Increased Risk of Athlete Injuries on Artificial Turf

Studies have shown that athletes who play on turf fields suffer more injuries compared to athletes who play on grass fields.[1] Out of the thirty NFL stadiums, fifteen use turf and fifteen have real grass.[2] NFL injury data from 2012 to 2018 showed that “players had a 28% higher rate of non-contact lower extremity injuries when playing on artificial turf. Additionally, players were 69% more likely to suffer non-contact foot and ankle injuries on turf fields than on natural grass.”[3]

Researchers completed a study to determine the rate of lower extremity injuries among NFL players on artificial turf compared to grass.[4] They looked at data from the 2021 and 2022 NFL seasons.[5] A total of 718 lower extremity injuries were included: 327 injuries from 2021 and 391 injuries from 2022.[6] During the end of the 2022 season, sixteen stadiums were grass and thirteen stadiums were artificial turf.[7] The results showed that fifty players were injured on grass and required lower extremity surgery.[8] However, eighty-three players were injured on artificial turf and required lower extremity surgery.[9] The results demonstrate that NFL players have an increased risk of developing lower extremity injuries on artificial turf.[10]

In a separate study, Loughran et al. examined 2460 knee injuries over the course of ten NCAA seasons.[11] The results showed that artificial turf increases the chance of knee ligament injuries.[12] Lower NCAA divisions were found to have increased rates of ACL injuries during competitions on artificial turf.[13]

Anecdotally, a college athlete at Columbia College tore her ACL during soccer.[14] She did not suffer from any injuries throughout her high school career or even before high school.[15] Now at the University of Missouri, she tore her ACL twice in the last two years, and unfortunately, has not played the last two seasons.[16]

Some common sports injuries that occur on turf fields are straining or tearing the Achilles, ACL, MCL, meniscus, hamstring, quadricep, and hip.[17] There are many reasons why artificial turf is used instead of grass. However, coaches and other support systems must consider the increased risk of injuries and implement additional safety measures for their athletes. NFL field director Nick Pappas provided details regarding a new program that every NFL stadium will have to meet by the start of the 2028 season.[18] Pappas stated that “the fields will have undergone extensive testing and been approved by a joint committee with the NFLPA.”[19] Hopefully, with this new plan in place soon, players will be less likely to suffer from injuries.

[1] Nikit Venishetty et al., Lower Extremity Injury Rates on Artificial Turf Versus Natural Grass Surfaces in the National Football League During the 2021 and 2022 Seasons, 12(8) Orthop. J. Sports Med. 1, 4 (Aug. 29, 2024).

[2] Alex Kennedy, List of NFL Stadiums With Grass or Turf: Full Details Ahead of the 2025 NFL Season, PFSN (Sept. 4, 2025) https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-stadiums-grass-or-turf/.

[3] Id.

[4] Venishetty et al., supra note 1 at 1.

[5] Id. at 1.

[6] Id. at 2.

[7] Id.

[8] Id. at 3.

[9] Id.

[10] Id. at 4.

[11] Id. at 4. See also Galvin J. Loughran, et al., Incidence of Knee Injuries on Artificial Turf Versus Natural Grass in National Collegiate Athletic Association American Football: 2004-2005 Through 2013-2014 Seasons, 47 No. 6 AJSM 1294, 1294 (May 2019).

[12] Id.

[13] Id.

[14] Kate Leverenz, Athletes, leagues raise concerns about artificial turf and injuries, Columbia Missourian (Dec. 1, 2025) https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/higher_education/athletes-leagues-raise-concerns-about-artificial-turf-and-injuries/article_2e9ebfa2-1891-4596-900c-058f4d93fd50.html.

[15] Id.

[16] Id.

[17] Mark Cote, PT, DPT, MSCTR, Turf vs. Grass Injuries: What Athletes Need to Know, Mass General Brigham (Feb. 2, 2026) https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/turf-vs-grass-fields-sports-injury-prevention.

[18] Associated Press, NFL mandates playing surfaces for all stadiums meet new standards by 2028 to enhance player safety, NFL (Dec. 4, 2025) https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-mandates-new-playing-surfaces-all-stadiums-2028-enhance-player-safety.

[19] Id.

Featured Image: The Athletic Staff, Which NFL stadiums have artificial turf and which have grass? Everything you need to know, The Athletic (Oct. 18, 2023) https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4974514/2023/10/18/nfl-stadiums-artificial-turf-grass-playing-surfaces/.