Testing the next generation of artificial turf

Work is ongoing to test new artificial turf systems for the UK market. Niall MacPhee, Director at Sports Labs, offers an update on the latest developments

Testing the of artificial turf next generation

As the synthetic sports turf industry looks to develop more sustainable products – particularly those that reduce the use of microplastics – attention is increasingly turning to alternatives to SBR (styrene butadiene rubber) infill. Currently, more than 90% of artificial turf pitches in the UK are installed using SBR. Replacing SBR with non-rubber infills, or even moving towards non-fill turf systems altogether, is now being stress-tested through a series of heavily monitored pilot projects across the UK. SAPCA member, Sports Labs, has been entrusted by several leading governing bodies of sport to oversee this monitoring, ensuring that insights and outcomes are assessed objectively.

The work includes ongoing compliance testing, structured player feedback mechanisms and the monitoring of material degradation over time. One of the key objectives is to determine whether the innovative solutions produced by suppliers and synthetic pitch specialists can meet the expectations of both users and facility owners over the long term.

Test beds

Several sites are currently contributing to the research. These include: ● Woodbourne Road, the Football Foundation test bed in Sheffield – which is completing its second year of operation. ● Bangor City, the Cymru Football Foundation’s test pitch in Bangor, Wales – a full-size non- fill pitch installed six months ago. ● Glasgow Green, operated by Glasgow Life – mini pitches tested side by side against datums. ● St Cuthbert’s, a Scottish FA project featuring a full-size pitch with organic infill.

Together, these sites are providing valuable insight into how alternative turf systems perform under real-world conditions. Each is providing us with data and experiences which could shape the future of sports turf.

Places

Woodbourne Road - The Football Foundation

The Football Foundation has made a significant commitment to research through its live test facility at Woodbourne Road in Sheffield, which opened in November 2023. The complex features seven pitches in total. One of these is a nine-a-side pitch installed with traditional SBR infill, which serves as a “datum” for comparison. The remaining six five-a-side pitches feature alternative pitch systems.

The products trialled at Woodbourne Road were selected from suppliers on the Football Foundation framework. These suppliers have remained involved throughout the project, responding to feedback and making adjustments to the pitch systems where necessary.

Bangor City

The Cymru Football Foundation has taken a major step forward by installing a full-size non-fill pitch at Bangor City in North Wales. Completed in the summer of 2025, the pitch was a collaboration involving several SAPCA members – it was installed by Sportex, using the TenCate Pure PT system (from TigerTurf/GreenFields).

After six months in operation, the pitch has already undergone initial rounds of testing and player feedback evaluation. As with the other pilot sites, the surface will continue to be monitored over time to understand how it responds to usage levels and changing climatic conditions.

The key question is not simply how the surface performs immediately after installation, but how it evolves through sustained use.

Glasgow Green

Another important test location is the Glasgow Green five-a-side facility, operated by Glasgow Life. The site contains eight small-sided pitches. Last year, four of these pitches were resurfaced by Allsports Construction & Maintenance (a SAPCA member) as part of a comparative trial.

Two of the pitches were installed using PureGrain infill, while the other two retained traditional SBR infill. All four surfaces use the same FieldTurf carpet and shockpads supplied by SAPCA member Trocellen.

These pitches are now approaching the end of their defects period and are undergoing technical testing. Because the surfaces share the same carpet and shockpad, the comparison between SBR and alternative infill materials is particularly valuable. All surfaces were tested on installation to EN 15330-1, the European standard for artificial turf. Glasgow Life is now planning to install a non-infill court at the site, which will further increase Glasgow Green’s role as a test bed.

St Cuthbert’s

A further project is taking place at St Cuthbert’s in Scotland, where the Scottish FA has part-funded the installation of a full-size pitch using PureGrain infill. The pitch is another one created in collaboration between SAPCA members – it was installed by Tony Patterson Sportsgrounds and it is maintained by FieldTurf.

Completed just three months ago, the surface has already been tested and achieved FIFA Quality certification. The site will now begin collecting structured player feedback as part of the wider monitoring programme.

Key variables affecting lifespan

Across all these projects, several factors are being closely examined to understand how they influence the long-term lifespan of alternative turf systems. These include:

Usage

Managing usage levels in line with the operations and maintenance manual is critical. Site operators must balance high-wear and low-wear areas, particularly around access points and goalmouths. Effective site management and footfall control are essential to maintaining surface consistency.

Climate

Artificial turf surfaces are exposed to a wide range of climatic conditions. High and low temperatures, rainfall levels and recovery following severe weather events can all affect the behaviour of materials over time.

Maintenance

Correct maintenance is fundamental. Equipment must be appropriate for the surface type and set up correctly by trained operators. Maintenance schedules should also be aligned with usage hours and supplier recommendations.

Places

What are players saying?

All of the projects are currently live, meaning it is still too early to draw definitive conclusions or share detailed outcomes. However, early indications suggest that the surfaces are capable of meeting player expectations and technical performance requirements at the point of installation.

The more interesting question is how these surfaces evolve over time. Can they realistically deliver the expected seven-, eight- or nine-year lifespan before resurfacing becomes necessary? That question remains open. The use of high-stress test beds will help provide an indication of accelerated wear patterns as the projects continue.

What are the tests telling us?

The testing programme is demonstrating that it is possible to objectively measure field performance and correlate this with player experience. As expected, materials and surfaces do change over time. Usage intensity, climatic exposure and maintenance regimes all influence how the surface behaves.

The key is to monitor these changes proactively. If adjustments are made early enough, performance levels can be maintained. If issues are addressed too late, the impact can be much harder to reverse.

Player perception has always been a major factor in the acceptance of artificial turf systems. However, with strong response rates and structured feedback, it is increasingly possible to demonstrate a clear correlation between technical testing data and player experience.

Usage intensity, climatic exposure and maintenance regimes all influence how the surface behaves

Innovation through test beds

Ultimately, those investing in artificial turf want confidence that they are achieving value for money when adopting new technologies. At the same time, players and facility operators require assurance around safety and performance compliance. Pilot test beds help reduce the risk associated with innovation.

Many new materials entering the market have limited performance histories and therefore carry shorter warranties. That is understandable. Test beds help bridge this gap, allowing manufacturers, governing bodies and operators to gather evidence under real-world conditions.

By doing so, they provide the industry with the knowledge needed to move towards more environmentally sustainable solutions with greater confidence.