In short
A football pitch can be built with natural grass, artificial turf, hybrid turf, or as a gravel pitch (hard court). Artificial turf can withstand significantly more intensive use: a study cited by the City of Düsseldorf puts natural grass at around 830 hours of use per year and artificial turf at up to roughly 2,500 hours. The standard size for a full-size pitch is 105 × 68 m.
Whether you’re a club, school or municipality, building or renovating a football pitch means facing the question of the right surface. Each option has its own strengths in terms of playing feel, durability, maintenance and environmental impact. Here you’ll find an overview of construction and surface types, plus a direct comparison of artificial turf and natural grass.
The four common pitch types
| Pitch type | Surface | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Natural grass | Sports turf on a root zone layer | Stadiums, main pitches, match play |
| Artificial turf | Synthetic turf, usually infilled | Training and match play, year-round |
| Hybrid turf | Natural grass with integrated synthetic fibers | Professional stadiums |
| Gravel pitch | water-bound surface (brick dust, lava) | older facilities, increasingly being converted |
How is an artificial turf pitch constructed?
A modern artificial turf pitch consists of several layers. In Germany, DIN 18035-7 describes the construction and testing requirements:
- Subgrade and formation level – load-bearing and properly sloped
- Drainage and base course – drain water and carry loads
- Elastic layer (optional) – provides shock absorption and cushioning
- Synthetic turf – filled with quartz sand and, depending on the system, an elastic infill
For pitches using synthetic granulate, the EU restriction on microplastics must be taken into account: from October 2031, granulate may no longer be sold as infill material. Alternatives include cork, sand, or unfilled systems.
Artificial Turf vs. Natural Grass: The Comparison
| Criterion | Artificial turf | Natural grass |
|---|---|---|
| Hours of use per year | up to approx. 2,500 | approx. 830 |
| Weather dependency | low, playable almost year-round | high, closures during wet or frosty conditions |
| Maintenance | brushing, redistributing infill, deep cleaning | mowing, fertilizing, watering, overseeding |
| Playing feel | consistent, depending on system | natural, depending on condition |
| Temperature | heats up significantly in the sun | cools through evaporation |
| Environment | plastic, microplastics concern with granulate | water and fertilizer use |
How big is a football pitch?
The standard full-size pitch measures 105 × 68 m, or 7,140 m². The rules of football allow for a national length of 90–120 m and a width of 45–90 m. You’ll find all dimensions, including penalty area, goal and youth pitch sizes, in our guide Football Pitch Size.
Quality and certification
In addition to the DIN standard, there’s the international testing program FIFA Quality, with the levels FIFA Quality and FIFA Quality Pro. Among other things, it tests ball roll behavior, shock absorption, weather resistance and durability.
Maintaining an artificial turf pitch
An artificial turf pitch also needs regular maintenance to retain its playing properties and last a long time:
- regular brushing and redistributing of the infill
- removing leaves, litter and organic debris
- periodic deep cleaning to prevent compaction and contamination
- checking seams, lines and edge areas
Our services for clubs and municipalities
We clean and maintain artificial turf pitches with our own sieving and extraction technology – nationwide. Artificial turf cleaning, synthetic surface cleaning and sand area cleaning for running tracks and jumping pits.
Frequently asked questions about football pitches
Which surface is best for a football pitch?
That depends on the intended use. Natural grass offers a natural playing feel but can only withstand limited use. Artificial turf is significantly more resilient and playable almost year-round, making it especially suitable for training pitches and heavily used facilities.
How many hours can an artificial turf pitch be used?
A study by the Öko-Institut, cited by the City of Düsseldorf, puts artificial turf at up to around 2,500 hours of use per year, compared to roughly 830 hours for natural grass.
How is an artificial turf pitch constructed?
An artificial turf pitch consists of a load-bearing subgrade, drainage and base course, often an elastic layer, and the synthetic turf itself, which is filled with quartz sand and, depending on the system, an elastic infill material.
What is a gravel pitch?
A gravel pitch is a hard court with a water-bound surface, such as brick dust or volcanic rock. Many gravel pitches are now being converted to artificial turf pitches, as these offer more comfortable and versatile use.