Synthetic Grass in Sport

Introduction

Synthetic Grass has been around in sports for over fifty years but in the last decade there have been huge improvements in the quality of it.

Due To The Extremes In Weather, Synthetic Grass Pitches Were

Due to the extremes in weather, synthetic grass pitches were an ideal solution for the problems encountered by sports teams in North America. They were the perfect solution for both outdoor stadiums where grass couldn't grow in winter, or indoor air conditioned stadiums. The first synthetic grass pitch was installed at the Houston Astrodome in 1966, home of the Major League Baseball side Houston Oilers.

More Baseball Teams Soon Switched To Synthetic Grass Pitches

More baseball teams soon switched to synthetic grass pitches, with American Football soon following. In 1973 NFL side Buffalo Bills moved in to their purpose built Ralph Wilson Stadium, which had a capacity of over 70,000 and had a playing surface made of synthetic grass. The North American Soccer League, which peaked in the 1970s, was played almost entirely on synthetic grass, which took a lot of getting used to for the guest players from Europe and South America that took part.

In Britain, Synthetic Grass Came To Top Flight Football

In Britain, synthetic grass came to top flight football in 1983 when Queens Park Rangers were promoted to the 1st Division of the Football League, playing home games on a pitch that had been installed in 1981. Critics said it gave them an unfair advantage, especially as they qualified for European competition in the first season after promotion. Europe's governing body UEFA were not impressed however and refused to allow QPR to play home ties at their Loftus Road stadium. Luton Town, Oldham Athletic and Preston North End all followed QPR's lead but by 1994 they had been outlawed by the Football League due to concerns over injuries and the quality of play.

Thirty Years On, Their Have Been

Thirty years on, their have been great advances in the development of synthetic pitches and the attitude of football's governing bodies has changed. UEFA now permit early rounds of Champions League matches to be played on artificial surfaces and many of Europe's top leagues allow them. On a global scale, world governing body FIFA allowed all of the 2015 Women's World Cup games in Canada to be played on them.

In England The Fa Allows The Use Of Synthetic Pitches

In England the FA allows the use of synthetic pitches in all rounds of the FA Cup, the most high profile tie taking place in February 2017 when non league Sutton United hosted Arsenal in the 5th round. They have even been used for top flight rugby league and rugby union, although there is still no imminent prospect of Premier League football games taking place on them. More clubs in the lower divisions are pushing for synthetic pitches to be allowed however, and the time may come soon when we see them return to the Football League.