How much do turf football fields cost?
Cost to install a turf football field
Installation of an artificial turf football field costs between $550,000 to $1,350,000, depending on the quality of the turf, local conditions, infill material and regional price differences. For example, a synthetic turf football pitch for professional sports must meet different requirements than a sports turf for a training facility. These differences are reflected in the material and construction costs.
Calculate the individual costs for your artificial turf football field project in less than 5 minutes: artificial turf football field cost calculator
Cost to replace a worn out turf football field
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.
Try our turf football field resurfacing cost calculator to estimate how much a resurfacing project would cost for your baseball field,
| Football field construction costs | Turf football field | Natural grass |
|---|---|---|
Construction costs | $750,000 - $1,350,00 | $400,000 – $820,000 |
Maintenance costs | $6,000 - $10,000 x 10 years = $60,000 - $100,000 | $18,000 – $44,000 |
Utilization time/year | 2,800 hrs x 10 years = 28,000 hrs. | 800 hrs. x 10 years = 8,000 hrs. |
Cost per hour of use | $29 - $52 | $52 - $108 |
Table of Contents
What influences turf football field cost?
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.
Advantages of building an artificial turf football field
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.
Artificial turf sports field payback time estimate for a commercial sports center
| Football field payback time | Turf football field | Natural grass |
|---|---|---|
Construction costs | $750,000 - $1,350,00 | $400,000 – $820,000 |
Maintenance costs per year | $6,000 - $10,000 | $18,000 – $44,000 |
Resurfacing/resodding cost | $360,000 - $620,000 | $150,000 - $300,000 |
Utilization time/year | 2,800 hrs | 800 hrs |
10-year lifecycle cost | $1,170,000 - $2,070,000 | $730,000 - $1,560,000 |
Rent per hour | $150 | $150 |
Revenue per year | $420,000 | $120,000 |
Payback time | 3 - 5 years | 6 - 13 years |
Calculation assumptions:
- Artificial turf field needs to be resurfaced once during a 10 year period
- Natural grass field needs resodding 1-2 times during a 10 year period
- Rent per hour refers to the hourly rate a commercial sports complex can charge for use of the playing field
Cost comparison: Football artificial turf pitch compared to natural turf
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.
Football artificial turf: installation and design
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 step-by-step
- 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.
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.
How much does it cost to maintain a football turf?
For a standard sized turf football field (57,600 square feet) the overall maintenance cost rounds up to about $8,000 per year.
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.
| Turf field cost - annual maintenance | Cost |
|---|---|
Painting and paint removal | $2,000 - $12,000 |
Top dressing and infill | $4,000 - $8,000 |
Sweeping and brushing | $1,600 - $7,200 |
Turf repairs (rips and joints) | $1,800 - $10,200 |
Water cooling | $6,400 - $12,800 |
Weeding | $700 - $2,000 |
What is the cost of turf football field maintenance and cleaning equipment?
The turf field maintenance cost estimate in the above table does not include the cost of necessary synthetic turf field maintenance equipment.
Normally, schools and sports clubs outsource some or all of the maintenance work to a synthetic turf field maintenance company. Depending on how much you are planning to handle in-house vs outsourced, determines the final price, but you can expect a price range of around $30,000 to $140,000 for the turf field maintenance and cleaning tools.
Below you can find a list of typical artificial turf field maintenance and cleaning equipment.
| Turf field cost - labor, supplies and maintenance equipment | Cost |
|---|---|
Water (for cooling) | $7,000 - $36,500 |
Sprayer for water application | $2,500 - $35,000 |
Sweeper | $2,200 - $22,400 |
Mechanical broom | $720 - $4,200 |
Line painter | $800 - $4,200 |
Groomer | $2,200 - $3,400 |
Cart (for towing equipment) | $8,400 - $19,800 |
Field magnet | $720 - $1,600 |
Rollers | $440 - $3,200 |
Top dresser | $5,200 - $11,800 |
Total | $30,180 - $142,100 |
Removal, disposal and recycling of a turf football field
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.
The whole process of removing the old turf, disposing, recycling and then resurfacing the field will end up costing somewhere between $620,000 and $1,159,000. You can see the cost breakdown in the table below. The variation comes from differences in labor and landfill costs across the country.
| Turf field cost - removal & disposal | Cost |
|---|---|
Removal and disposal | $190,000 - $280,000 |
Disposal and resurfacing | $482,000 - $792,000 |
Landfill | $48,000 - $87,000 |
Total | $620,000 - $1,159,000 |
Consider installing LED football field lights
Oftentimes project teams planning the construction of a new turf football field will also take into account important amenities such as the lighting system. Without proper lighting, the brand-new field could only be open for play until the sun goes down. Think about the missed revenue generation opportunities!
Even sports facilities that have a legacy lighting system (HID, metal halide, etc.), should consider upgrading to LED technology thanks to its better quality of light, close to zero maintenance, and vastly longer lifespan.
So, what does it cost you ask?
An LED football field lighting system costs somewhere in the region of $170,000 – $880,000 depending on the competition level, regional price differences, and product quality.
Get yourself a customized cost estimate for a football field lighting system installation by using our cost calculator.
Financing a new football pitch
There are various funding programs for financing your artificial turf football field construction. Therefore, at the beginning of planning, check to see if the municipality supports the construction and whether state or federal funds can be accessed. If funding is not possible or if there is still not enough money, donations, sponsorship and other fundraisers should be explored; along with financing options directly through banks or through the construction companies and vendors.
Calculate turf football field cost - Compare prices
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.