Artificial Grass at Levi’s Stadium

Sports arenas often use artificial grass to offer athletes a safe, sturdy playing field. However, that’s not the only role artificial grass can play at a stadium. The team at Levi’s Stadium made upgrades to their facilities by adding an artificial grass tailgate area called the “Faithful Mile.” This section is ideal for pre-game activities. At Watersavers Turf, we carry the exact style of faux grass the stadium used for the project.

Why Artificial Turf is Perfect for Pre-Game Areas

Artificial turf differs from natural grass in many ways. Because you don’t need to water or mow artificial turf, it costs much less to maintain. It also comes in a wide array of colors. That’s one of the reasons the managers at Levi’s Stadium used it for their Faithful Mile area. The artificial turf is bright red, matching the uniforms of the SF 49ers. This ensures the entire section mirrors the team brand.

Stadium owners have found many ways to make use of this new section. It’s the perfect spot for food carts and vendors; it’s close to the stadium, and the bright red surface attracts guests who might otherwise tailgate further away. A stage allows fans to enjoy concerts before the game and during the off-season. Because the surface can stand up to wear-and-tear, it stays in great shape despite the constant foot traffic.

Other Uses for Plastic Grass at Levi’s Stadium

The Faithful Mile isn’t the only section of Levi’s Stadium to feature plastic grass. In 2015, managers also added a plastic grass ring around the playing field. This was done to prepare for the Super Bowl. Sideline areas endure a lot of wear over the course of a season. The new plastic grass ring limits upkeep costs because there is no need to repair it each year. This is not true of natural grass. That’s why Levi’s Stadium had to replace its entire sod field before the Super Bowl. Football is an intense sport. Live grass takes a beating during gameplay. It may cost a lot to replace, but teams often need to. A damaged playing field simply isn’t. Players are much more likely to trip and fall if the surface isn’t even.

Why Teams Embrace Sports Turf

The changes at Levi’s Stadium are part of a bigger trend–More venues are making the switch to sports turf. Most people think of sports turf as an alternative to living grass for a playing field. Upgrades like the Faithful Mile or the new sideline prove that there are many surface uses for our products. Sports turf is perfect for many sections of a venue.

Again, because it doesn’t need to be green, it allows for expanded branding. Sports venue owners also need surfaces that are built for constant foot traffic. When games aren’t being played, these venues often play host to other events, like concerts. Venue owners can decrease the cost of repairs by choosing a surface option that’s built for that kind of use. Faux grass is also very easy to clean if guests leave debris on the ground after a concert. This helps owners save more money by reducing the amount of time it takes to prepare the area for the next event.

Why They Chose Performance Putt

Performance Putt is the style of turf used on the Faithful Mile. It is designed for putting greens, but it can be used in other ways. Performance Putt has a ⅝” blade height. That means golf balls can roll across it smoothly. It also means it’s the perfect surface for a tailgate area. These sections attract a lot of guests. All that foot traffic might mat down taller blades. This would require venue owners to brush the blades back into place after each event. That’s not a problem with Performance Putt.

Those are just some of the reasons we carry this style of synthetic grass at Watersavers Turf. Stop by any of our SF Bay Area locations to find out if it’s the right fit for your project. We will be happy to provide free 1’ x 1’ samples if you want to test it out first.

Call us at 844-974-8873 to learn more, or chat with us online. Our team is always ready to help you bring your project to life.