How Much Do Turf Football Fields Cost? - Sports Venue Calculator

Jun. 16, 2025

How Much Do Turf Football Fields Cost? - Sports Venue Calculator

If your football field already has a synthetic turf surface that is shortly coming to the end of its lifecycle, it’s time to have it resurfaced. Resurfacing an artificial turf football field normally consists of removing and replacing only the playing surface, which makes the project less laborous. Assuming the drainage system and base layer are in a good condition, you won’t have to touch them at all. The cost to replace a turf football field ranges somewhere between $300,000 and $600,000 depending on the same factors listed above for the new installation of a turf field. In addition you will have to consider the costs of removal and disposal of the old playing surface.

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Try our turf football field resurfacing cost calculator to estimate how much a resurfacing project would cost for your baseball field,

Whether you are building a new one or renovating an old one, how much a turf field will end up costing eventually is due to the following criteria. Use our artificial turf football field cost calculator to get an accurate estimate for your project.

Quality of the artificial turf system

There are a variety of manufacturers that differ in price. The product range of individual suppliers includes artificial turf with different features and in different price categories. Top-quality synthetic turf for a football field costs approximately $5 – $11 per square foot. Another important cost item in the installation of an artificial turf football field is the cost of the underlying drainage, which typically costs around $4-$5 per square foot. Also, infills differ in price (natural cork is more expensive than synthetic materials), which must be budgeted into the overall project.

Structural situation of the sports facility

It is usually cheaper to replace an existing pitch than to build one from scratch. In most cases, the underlying infrastructure can be used, thus reducing the overall costs.

Size of the field

Since both the turf and the underlying drainage layer are priced per square foot, the cost increases as the size increases. The dimensions of a football playing field are specified for game use (360′ x 160′). However, smaller fields can be used for practice. In addition, a perimeter of obstacle-free space must also be factored into the cost calculation: the comfortable, safe surface can’t end abruptly at the touchline.

Regional differences

Labor and shipping costs can differ depending on the state in which the artificial turf is to be installed. In urban areas, prices tend to be higher than in more rural areas.

Design of the artificial turf

A customized design on the artificial turf, such as a club logo or a branded end zone, incurs additional costs.

Read more: How much does a turf field cost to install for sports facilities

An artificial turf football field offers numerous advantages to cities, schools and clubs. First and foremost is the high level of playability. This is because, unlike natural grass, synthetic football fields do not require regeneration phases. This considerably increases the potential usage time, as they can be played on daily and in any weather. Even in bad weather, several teams can cycle through for practices and games without mashing the field into a muddy, unplayable landscape.

Many operators and owners of athletic fields such as high schools, colleges, cities and clubs struggle to maintain their grass fields year-round and keep them in playable condition. Artificial turf requires much less maintenance and guarantees an optimal surface for many years with little effort. Studies have also shown that the risk of injury is no higher than on natural grass. Modern artificial turf surfaces are elastic and provide a uniform surface; and they meet all the requirements of football associations and leagues.

The cost of purchasing an artificial turf football field is higher than that of a natural grass pitch, but this investment pays off when the field is used intensively. A football turf field can easily be played on for 2,500 to 3,000 hours per year. That is three to four times as much as a natural grass pitch. If the field operator does not need that much time on the pitch,, they have the option of renting the field to other groups, clubs or schools, creating a reliable source of income.

In terms of care and maintenance, the artificial turf can also save costs. This is because it does not need to be mowed or watered. There is also no need for fertilizer/chemicals. Artificial turf does require some regular upkeep: braushing, aeration, raking and sweeping. But overall, the maintenance costs for natural turf are about two to three times higher.

Whether building something new or renovating an existing field, it is recommended to involve an artificial turf manufacturer, a sports facility construction company or a specialist planner from an early point in the planning process. An expert opinion can be used to examine the intended sports facility and devise the most suitable solution.

Before the turf is laid, a drainage base must be installed. This consists of compacted stone as a base for the artificial turf. This layer allows rainwater to run off easily, ensuring it does not collect on the playing field. Then the artificial turf carpet is laid on top of the drainage base. Infill granules are distributed evenly across the turf. They can be rubber and sand, or a natural infill such as cork. This combination of components provides a natural foothold for the athletes and helps absorb impact.

About two months should be allotted for the construction of the drainage base. If extensive earthworks are necessary in advance to create a level surface, plan on a longer construction window.

Installation of an artificial turf football field

Prepare the site: excavation, leveling, soil packing
Lay out the base (stone) layer for stability and draining
Install the drainage system/pipes
Place shock absorption pads on top of the drainage system (optional)
Roll-out the synthetic turf surface on the field
Customize the field: line markings, name and logo of your school or sports club etc.

This is only a summary of all the tasks needed to be completed during the installation process. It will take approximately two months to complete the installation, so you should consider carefully when is the right moment to start the project.

Before you start the actual construction phase of your turf football field project, we highly recommend thinking about what other changes or improvements your sports field needs now or in the not too distant future. Will you be needing more bleachers? Maybe an LED sports lighting system? Or possibly you also want to build a track around the football field? These considerations are essential in the early stage of the project to ensure you will have sufficient funds and space around the football field for all the improvements.

Artificial turf football field maintenance cost can be derived from the following factors:

Cost of labor
Cost of materials
Cost of artificial turf maintenance equipment

Cost of football turf field maintenance varies a lot due to the fact that some facility operators prefer to handle maintenance in-house and others want to outsource most of the work to professional maintenance companies.

The actual labor consists of cleaning, evening out the surface, disinfecting and refilling the turf with infill material. For an average football turf field you can expect to spend around 300 hours of labor per year.

On top of the labor costs, facility managers need to take into account the cost of materials. These include new infill (cost depends on which material you choose), cleansers and disinfectants.

Additional maintenance needs that may occur throughout the year are listed in the following table to give you a broad perspective of all the costs that athletic directors and sports club owners should take into consideration.

A synthetic turf football field usually comes with a warranty of 8 years. This is not to say the lifespan of a turf football field cannot be extended with proper maintenance by a few years, but generally speaking, you should expect to have to resurface it after around 10 years of use.

Before you can install a brand new playing surface, you will have to go through the process of removing the old turf surface and dispose of it. There are professional companies that can help you with disposing and recycling the worn out turf field in an environmentally friendly manner.

Artificial turf football field cost usually falls between $750,000 to $1,350,000, depending on the size of the field and the features of the sports facility. The cost will vary depending on the product quality and the factors mentioned above.

Use our artificial turf football field cost calculator to get an accurate estimate for your project specifications.

During the planning phase, requirements and desires should be discussed with an artificial turf manufacturer or sports field builder, and the specifications of the associations or leagues should be considered. Modifications entail significantly higher costs, so they should and can be avoided with detailed planning.

Sports facility operators should obtain different offers and compare the prices of the suppliers. In addition, it is worth taking a look at synthetic turf football fields in the immediate vicinity. Which club or school uses which artificial turf system from which manufacturer? How satisfied are they with their facility? These points can help in choosing the appropriate surface.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Recycled Football Field Turf.

9 Misleading Myths about Used Artificial Grass | AGR

When you install used artificial grass, you choose a cost-effective way to take advantage of high-quality materials for your lawn. Used artificial turf refers to synthetic grass that has been repurposed for a new use.

Usually, used artificial grass comes from sports fields where regulations dictate surface replacement every couple of years. Since this turf is highly durable, it can easily be repurposed and serve the new owner for decades.

While the popularity of used synthetic turf is steadily growing, some misconceptions are still common. Let's take a closer look at a few of them.

Myth 1: Used Synthetic Grass is Always Low-Quality

One of the most common inaccuracies concerning used turf regards quality. In reality, used artificial grass can have as much integrity and durability as some types of new turf.

In most cases, used artificial grass often comes from sports fields. Depending on the region, sports center regulations require the field surface to be replaced every 5 to 10 years. By that time, the synthetic turf isn't likely to wear out.

Sports centers use the most durable turf that can withstand heavy traffic. Accordingly, the fake grass can be almost as good as new when it comes off after a few years of use.  The downside of installing used synthetic turf from a sports field is markings or lines that may require painting.

If you want to avoid the problem with markings, consider going with festival turf.

Festival turf is synthetic grass explicitly installed for events or festivals that last only a few days.

This makes used festival turf almost indistinguishable from new artificial grass.

Myth 2: Used Artificial Grass Looks Worn and Old

When people hear the word "used," they generally imagine something that can't serve its purpose well anymore. Regarding artificial grass, the source of this misconception is the old and worn-out synthetic grass surfaces that haven’t been properly installed or maintained.

In reality, sports turf and festival turf can have a lifespan of over a decade. Sports centers and festival organizers buy high-quality, durable synthetic grass so it can withstand high traffic and serious wear. If installed and maintained correctly, used turf will look fresh and natural.

This is especially true with festival turf; if you buy festival turf that has only been in use for a few days, it will look new and serve its purpose for many years to come.

Myth 3: Used Artificial Turf Doesn't Look Realistic

High-quality artificial turf can look remarkably like natural grass. The same is true for used artificial turf.

If professionals install the synthetic grass, it can look and feel just like a well-maintained natural grass lawn.

When you install used sports turf, there can be some fading due to heavy wear. You can easily revitalize faded areas with an acrylic paint sprayer.

You won’t have this problem with festival turf.

Myth 4: Pet Waste Will Make Used Synthetic Grass Smell

One of the myths about repurposed fake grass is its unsuitability for households with pets. With proper installation, infill, and maintenance, used synthetic grass doesn't absorb odors.

Infill – by adding a special infill to your used artificial grass lawn, you are ensuring odor absorption. For extra nasal protection, you can even use a deodorizing Zeolite-based infill, such as ZeoFill
Maintenance – by washing pet waste away with a hose (as you would with natural grass), you can make sure it doesn't encourage bacteria growth and cause unpleasant smells.
Installation – professional artificial grass installation teams know not to install a weed barrier under the synthetic materials since they may trap odors.

With the right infill and regular maintenance, odors shouldn't be an issue.

Myth 5: Used Artificial Grass Lowers Property Value

The truth is more complex. Artificial grass can actually increase property values instead of decreasing them. Experts believe that a well-maintained yard can increase the value of a home by as much as 15% or 20%.

The important term is “well-maintained.” If you do not perform maintenance once every few weeks, your front lawn will look matted and unnatural. A poorly-maintained yard, whether natural or synthetic grass, will hurt property values.

Myth 6: Repurposed Artificial Turf Always Comes with Infill

While some used artificial turf comes with free infill, it's not always the best choice for homeowners. Two options exist:

Infilled used turf - synthetic grass with infill inside
Extracted used turf - artificial grass with infill removed

The process can cost less if the infill stays inside the turf. Meanwhile, you can save money on buying new infill. However, infill is a heavy material. It adds significant weight to the turf. This makes transportation and installation more difficult and expensive.

Extracted turf weighs only around 0.5 lbs. per square foot. Infill can add around 2 lbs. per square foot.  Meanwhile, the absence of infill means you are free to choose the best infill for your purposes instead of going with whatever is already inside.

Myth 7: Used Artificial Turf is Bad for the Environment

A common mistaken idea about used artificial grass is that it's bad for the environment. People believe in that myth because they have general knowledge about the harmful effect of plastic. In reality, plastic can damage the environment only when it's not disposed of correctly.

Installing used artificial grass allows you to repurpose the plastic and extend its lifespan. By buying used turf, you keep it from going to landfills. This protects the environment instead of harming it.

To date, Artificial Grass Recyclers has kept over 7 million square feet of used turf out of landfills. 

Meanwhile, unlike natural grass, artificial turf doesn't require pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. This also contributes to keeping the environment safer.  

Myth 8: Used Synthetic Turf is Only Slightly Less Expensive Than New Turf

Just because used turf can be only a few days or years old, it doesn't mean it costs almost as much as new turf. In fact, you can get 50% - 75% off the price of new artificial turf. This is true even for day-old festival turf.

Myth 9: Installing Used Artificial Turf is Identical To Installing New Turf

While installation procedures for new and used artificial turf may appear identical, some nuances with the latter exist. If you decide to install sports field turf, you may need to:

Buy extra artificial turf to hide imperfections – when installed correctly, any punctures or holes made by forklifts during the transportation process can be repaired.
Use paint to cover up faded areas – professionally sprayed acrylic paint quickly refreshes faded artificial grass fibers.

If you choose festival turf, the process usually resembles installing brand-new synthetic grass.

Debunking More Myths About Repurposed Fake Grass

Used artificial grass can be an excellent solution for property owners who want to get a great quality-to-price ratio. Myths surrounding used synthetic turf stem from the lack of knowledge about this convenient and cost-effective option.

By taking advantage of used artificial turf, allows you to enjoy high-quality materials without paying for brand-new products.

To learn even more about repurposed artificial turf, download our free "Used Artificial Grass: A Buyer's Guide.”

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Artificial Grass For Gyms.

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