FieldTurf
FieldTurf is a Montreal-based company which manufactures artificial grass playing surfaces identified by the FieldTurf trademark. Artificial turf is often used where a grass-like field is required, but where natural grass is not feasible. FieldTurf uses a ground plastic base to mimic natural soil, and special plastic shafts are used to mimic blades of grass. FieldTurf is the leading surface to replace former market leader AstroTurf. As of 2004, five out of the nine Canadian Football League teams had installed either FieldTurf or a similar surface, as had a number of National Football League and Major League Baseball clubs.
One very similar surface to FieldTurf is AstroPlay – it is so similar that FieldTurf sued the American company for patent infringement.
Unlike AstroTurf, FieldTurf has been approved by FIFA, UEFA and other governing bodies for use in soccer, and many European clubs are considering installing it. However, FIFA requires a blank, green field for competitive matches, which is problematic for the sport's backers in North America as many gridiron football teams have insisted on installing permanent gridiron lines in their surfaces to reduce maintenance.
FieldTurf is currently used in the following high-profile stadia:
- Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii
- Alumni Stadium in Newton, Massachusetts
- Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon
- Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin
- Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan
- Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa, Ontario
- Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia
- Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey
- H.H.H. Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton, Ontario
- Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California
- Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Molson Stadium in Montreal, Quebec
- Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio
- Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Quebec
- Olympic Stadium in Moscow, Russia
- Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio
- Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington
- Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah
- Rogers Centre (formerly SkyDome) in Toronto, Ontario
- Rutgers Stadium in New Brunswick, New Jersey
- Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan
- Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida
Categories: Artificial turf