New NFL Surface Standards Will Apply to International Stadiums

The NFL announced Thursday that it will incorporate enhanced standards for playing surfaces at every stadium starting the 2028 season. 

NFL field director Nick Pappas announced that the league will provide each team with a list of “approved and accredited NFL fields” by next season, which will include natural, artificial, or hybrid standards. Teams will have two years to ensure their fields meet the league’s requirements. 

He said the fields will be tested and approved by a joint committee with the NFLPA.

The announcement comes after years of complaints from players and coaches about the terrain at several NFL stadiums, particularly MetLife Stadium, home of the Giants and Jets, and Acrisure Stadium, home of the Steelers, which they also share with Pitt football.

Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers called the grass at Acrisure Stadium “borderline unplayable” earlier this season. Rodgers also tore his Achilles two years ago at MetLife Stadium as a member of the Jets.

A league source tells Front Office Sports that field mandates will apply to games overseas. Players have complained about playing surfaces at international venues, where American football is not the primary sport played.

“I mean, y’all saw out there that it was kind of rough to get traction,” Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts said about the Corinthians Arena in Brazil last year. “Definitely challenging on that field. It’s not the type of field we’re used to playing on.”

The league said it had invested in field upgrades ahead of this year’s Brazil game between the Chargers and Chiefs. Los Angeles head coach Jim Harbaugh said after the team’s win that the “field was great.” 

Bills players also complained about the turf at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London during their game at the famous soccer venue in 2023.

“It was one of the worst surfaces that I’ve ever played on,” Von Miller said. 

While the league has not yet announced any international games for 2028, it’s expected to continue playing overseas after a record seven-game international slate this year. There could be as many as nine international games next year, and commissioner Roger Goodell is hoping that number could go as high as 16 games in the future.

Goodell has already teased new markets for international games next year—on top of the scheduled game in Melbourne, Australia, hosted by the Rams. That game, which will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, has already led to concerns from players due to the 16-hour time difference between Australia and Los Angeles.