Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has voiced his belief that the NFL lacks a valid reason to continue using artificial turf fields, particularly after soccer’s recent World Cup required natural grass surfaces in U.S. stadiums that are often home to NFL teams.
Barkley suggested that the precedent set by the World Cup, which used seven NFL stadiums that were retrofitted with grass for the event, makes it difficult for the league to justify maintaining artificial turf. "I think it’s going to be hard for them to argue against that because if you’re able to do it for the World Cup, it doesn’t really make sense," Barkley told Fox News Digital.
He acknowledged that he is still researching the injury data comparing grass and turf but stated his personal preference for grass, a sentiment he believes is shared by most players. "I do prefer grass. I think the majority of players prefer grass," Barkley said. "And I will say this - if the numbers show that playing on grass versus turf is better for us, then I think that’s more than enough."
While Barkley has experienced significant injuries on grass, including a torn ACL in 2020, he noted that unpredictable factors contribute to such incidents. His most productive season, a 2,000-yard rushing campaign, occurred during his first year with the Eagles, whose home stadium features a grass field.
Approximately half of the NFL's stadiums utilize artificial turf. This is often attributed to the perceived lower cost and easier maintenance of turf compared to grass, especially for venues hosting numerous events throughout the year. However, NFLPA Executive Director Lloyd Howell has stated that 92% of players prefer grass.
In response to ongoing discussions about playing surfaces, the NFL announced late last year that all teams will be provided with a list of approved and accredited NFL fields before the 2026 season. Any newly installed field must meet these standards immediately, and existing fields will have two years to comply. Both grass and synthetic turf fields will be subject to these new regulations, though the league has not mandated a switch to natural grass.
Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL's chief medical officer, has stated that there is no statistically significant difference in lower-extremity injuries or concussions that can be directly linked to specific playing surfaces. This statement comes despite widespread player preference for grass and player complaints about certain artificial surfaces, such as the one at MetLife Stadium, which hosted the World Cup final.