The NFL’s surface debate is still as split as ever in 2026, and the numbers tell the story cleanly: 16 teams are playing on artificial turf, while 16 stadiums are using real grass.
That divide has become a major point of tension in recent years, especially with players pushing hard for natural grass. The NFL Players Association has kept the issue front and center with its "#WorthTheCost" campaign, and the argument from the players’ side is straightforward: grass offers more "give," helps feet grip the surface better, and is supposed to reduce injury risk.
Even with that pressure, turf remains firmly entrenched across the league. Some of those venues even switched to grass for the World Cup at one point, but in 2026 they’re back on turf.
The turf group includes the Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Panthers at Bank of America Stadium, Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium, Cowboys at AT&T Stadium, Lions at Ford Field, Texans at NRG Stadium, Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium, Rams and Chargers at SoFi Stadium, Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium, Patriots at Gillette Stadium, Saints at Caesars Superdome, Giants and Jets at MetLife Stadium, Seahawks at Lumen Field, and Titans at Nissan Stadium.
Eight of those 14 turf stadiums are indoors in some form, with SoFi Stadium listed as covered but not fully indoors. The Panthers, Bengals, Patriots, Giants, Jets, Seahawks and Titans are the only teams playing fully outdoors on turf.
MetLife Stadium has drawn particular scrutiny because of the number of soft tissue injuries that have hit both Jets and Giants players over the years, along with visiting players like Nick Bosa. The issue resurfaced in a big way about 36 hours after Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles there in 2023, when the NFLPA posted: "#NFL field surfaces:"
On the grass side, the league’s other 16 stadiums all use natural playing surfaces in 2026. That list runs from State Farm Stadium for the Cardinals to Northwest Stadium for the Commanders, and includes M&T Bank Stadium, Highmark Stadium, Soldier Field, Huntington Bank Field, Empower Field at Mile High, Lambeau Field, TIAA Bank Field, Arrowhead Stadium, Allegiant Stadium, Hard Rock Stadium, Lincoln Financial Field, Acrisure Stadium, Levi's Stadium, and Raymond James Stadium.
Among those grass venues, only Allegiant Stadium is fully indoors. State Farm Stadium can also be indoors because it has a retractable roof, though the Cardinals’ field can be moved outside the venue.
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Pro Football Focus rewarded the performance with a 75.1 overall grade and a 77.2 run defense grade, both among the best single-game marks of his NFL career. The timing matters for the Jets, too, because the extra snaps came with Joseph Ossai still working his way back from injury, leaving McGregor with a chance to show he can be part of the solution if the rotation remains thin. [Read more 🡒]