Buffalo, NY – In an effort to prioritize player safety, the Buffalo Bills are making significant changes to their home stadium by replacing artificial turf with a state-of-the-art natural grass field. This decision comes amidst ongoing discussions about the negative impact of synthetic surfaces on athlete health, particularly with non-contact injuries occurring at higher rates on artificial fields.
Currently, only 15 out of 32 NFL stadiums utilize natural grass, as highlighted in a recent article. The cost of maintaining these real grass fields can be substantial, sometimes ranging between $300,000 and $500,000 for installation alone, plus annual upkeep expenses that can exceed $1,000,000. Despite the higher costs associated with natural grass, many players prefer it, recognizing that it could help reduce the risk of injuries.
Understanding the urgency of this process, the Bills quickly contracted SCG Fields, a firm that has experience installing grass for other NFL teams, including the Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos. According to John Polka, the Bills’ vice president of stadium development, starting the project now allows for a full growing season before the upcoming games. He noted, This gives us a full growing season before our first game. A lot goes into the field components themselves.
This new field will not only feature natural grass but will also incorporate modern grass-growing technology such as hydronic heating, grow lights, sub-air technology, and advanced irrigation systems. These innovations are expected to enhance the quality of the playing surface, making it one of only two NFL fields to include such features.
The Bills’ new stadium is also making headlines due to its unique architectural design. The structural framework is reportedly complete, and the team is on track to finalize the roof canopies soon, marking a major milestone in the stadium’s development.
As the Bills prepare for their new home, the decision to invest in a natural grass field underscores their commitment to the health and safety of their players, setting a precedent that could influence other teams across the league.
