Notch another tally in the turf column.
The Browns’ new $2.6 billion stadium—set to be ready for the 2029 NFL season—will feature artificial turf, according to ProFootballTalk.
The Browns only broke ground on the project April 30, so there’s still a long way to go before any final playing surface is put in. But if the decision holds, it will tip the number of teams playing home games on artificial turf (17) above those playing on real grass (15). The league is balanced at present: 16 teams play on turf home fields and 16 play on grass, with the Browns currently in the latter category.
The news comes as the long-simmering grass vs. turf debate is as active as ever thanks to the 2026 World Cup, which saw eight NFL teams temporarily replace artificial turf playing surfaces with natural grass to comply with FIFA’s requirements.
The NFL Players Association used the tournament as an opportunity to advocate for more grass usage across the league. Its efforts included a coordinated social media campaign, dubbed #WorthTheCost, timed to the World Cup Final; alongside the union itself, dozens of players shared the hashtag across platforms to express their preference for grass fields.
