FieldTurf facts for kids
FieldTurf is a special type of "fake" grass used in sports stadiums. It was created by a company called FieldTurf Tarkett, which is based in Calhoun, Georgia, USA. In the 1990s, the goal was to make this fake grass look and feel just like real grass. Over time, FieldTurf became a top choice in the sports world.
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What is FieldTurf Made Of?
FieldTurf is made from many strong fibers that look like grass blades. The bottom part of the turf is filled with a mix of silica sand and rubber. This special mix helps the turf feel soft and stable, similar to natural soil.
Where is FieldTurf Used?
The first big stadium to use FieldTurf was the University of Nebraska's Memorial Stadium in 1999. They used it for American football games. After that, many other famous stadiums started using it too.
For association football (which is also called soccer), FieldTurf was first used in January 1997. The English club Middlesbrough put it on their training ground.
FieldTurf in Soccer
Many professional soccer organizations and players do not really like playing on "fake" grass like FieldTurf. Because of this, no Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup match has ever been played on FieldTurf.
However, some important soccer games have used it. Saprissa Stadium in Costa Rica used FieldTurf for a FIFA World Cup qualifying match. Also, about half of the stadiums used for the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup had FieldTurf. Even though some players don't like it, FIFA has said that FieldTurf might be used much more widely in the future.
Images for kids
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FieldTurf at Mackay Stadium at the University of Nevada, Reno. This picture was taken from the upper southeast corner during a game against the New Mexico Lobos on October 10, 2015.
See also
In Spanish: FieldTurf para niños
