In brief
Today, hockey is played almost exclusively on artificial turf. Typical features include a very short, dense pile that allows the ball to roll quickly and evenly. The main distinctions are between watered pitches (water-based) for elite sport, sand-filled and sand-dressed surfaces for club and school sport, and newer dry, unfilled systems. International requirements are defined by the FIH, the world governing body for hockey.
Hardly any sport depends as much on the surface as hockey. The small, hard ball requires a level, fast and predictable surface. Here you will learn how hockey artificial turf is constructed and what variants are available.
What sets hockey artificial turf apart
- very short, dense pile for fast, flat ball roll
- high levelness – even small uneven areas deflect the ball
- consistent ball roll and ball bounce
- sufficient grip for rapid changes of direction
Common surface types
| Type | Features | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Watered artificial turf | unfilled, very short, watered before play | Elite sport, international tournaments |
| Sand-dressed | pile partially filled with sand, fibre tips remain free | Club and league sport |
| Sand-filled | pile largely filled with sand | School and recreational sport, multisport |
| Dry, unfilled systems | playable without watering and without sand | newer development, water-saving |
You can find more on the topic in the glossary under Hockey artificial turf.
Construction of a hockey pitch
- load-bearing subgrade with drainage
- base layer, finished to a very even level
- often an elastic layer for cushioning and force reduction
- hockey artificial turf with tufted-in or cut-in line markings
The water issue
Watered pitches provide a particularly fast, consistent game, but require suitable irrigation technology and water. Against this backdrop, dry systems are becoming more important. For clubs, choosing the surface is therefore also a question of usage profile, budget and water availability.
Maintenance of hockey artificial turf
- regular blowing off of leaves and dirt
- machine brushing to distribute the sand evenly
- periodic deep cleaning to prevent compaction and moss
- inspection of seams and lines
Our offer for clubs
We clean hockey, football and multisport artificial turf using our own equipment – nationwide. More about artificial turf cleaning.
Frequently asked questions about hockey artificial turf
Why is hockey played on artificial turf?
Artificial turf provides a level, fast and predictable surface on which the small, hard hockey ball rolls evenly. On natural grass, the game would be significantly slower and more unpredictable.
Why are hockey pitches watered?
Water makes the surface faster and more consistent, reduces friction and is gentler on the skin in falls. Watered pitches are used mainly in elite sport.
What is the difference between sand-filled and sand-dressed?
With sand-filled artificial turf, the pile is largely filled with sand. With sand-dressed artificial turf, only the lower part is filled and the fibre tips remain free, enabling a faster game.
Can you play football on a hockey pitch?
In principle, yes—for example on sand-filled multisport surfaces. However, dedicated hockey surfaces are optimised for hockey and are only suitable to a limited extent for football with studded boots.