It’s no secret that NFL players prefer playing on natural grass fields rather than artificial turf, but the NFL Players Association’s latest batch of franchise report cards makes it clearer than ever.
From 2023 to 2025, the NFLPA released annual report cards in which players graded their franchises from A+ to F- in a range of categories, including facilities, amenities, coaching staff and ownership. In February 2026, an arbitrator found that the publication of the report cards violated the CBA with the league and ordered the NFLPA to refrain from publishing or publicly disclosing any future report cards. The 2026 report cards, however, were leaked and released last week via ESPN.
One category of note is home game field. NFL fields differ significantly—15 teams play on natural grass, with various strains grown in different locations, and the other 17 play on artificial turf, with various types made by different companies. Injury data is inconclusive, but many studies indicate a relationship between artificial turf and injuries. On the other hand, grass is more expensive and more difficult to maintain.
The players made their preference for natural grass clear in the 2026 report cards, as the median grade for grass fields was a B+, while the median grade for turf fields was a D.
All nine franchises that received a B+ or better for home game field play on natural grass—the Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos and Philadelphia Eagles led the way with As. On the flip side, 10 of the 12 teams that got a grade of C- or worse in the category have turf fields, with the Tennessee Titans’ Nissan Stadium and MetLife Stadium, the home of the New York Jets and New York Giants, bringing up the rear with F- scores. (MetLife is one of several NFL stadiums making the temporary switch to a grass field to host games 2026 FIFA World Cup games this summer.)
Not all grass fields are well-liked, though—the Pittsburgh Steelers were one of two teams with a grass field to get an F- in the category. The Steelers play on a Kentucky bluegrass surface at Acrisure Stadium, which the team shares with the University of Pittsburgh. In October, Steelers kicker Chris Boswell slipped on the field attempting a field goal and special teams captain Miles Killebrew suffered a torn ACL during the same game.
The Steelers were the No. 32 team overall in the NFLPA’s report card rankings, with failing grades in team travel, locker room and treatment of families to go along with the home field grade. The day after the release of the report cards, though, Steelers president and owner Art Rooney II told The Athletic that the stadium will be resurfaced in 2026 with Tahoma 31 bermudagrass.
The home game field category was one of four new categories that the players union added this year, along with offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator. The last time new categories were added was in 2024, when the inaugural grades for head coaches and owners were introduced. Those grades drew attention to the report cards when Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt received an F just weeks after winning the Super Bowl.
The addition of the home field category demonstrates the players’ focus on the longtime contentious issue of playing surfaces. In December, NFL field director Nick Pappas announced that playing surfaces at every stadium, whether grass or turf, will have to meet new enhanced standards by 2028, which will be approved by a joint committee with the NFLPA.
The best turf field in the league, according to the report cards, belongs to the Minnesota Vikings’ U.S. Bank Stadium, which received a B. The Vikings were the No. 2-ranked team in the report cards for the third straight year, one spot ahead of the Washington Commanders and behind only the Miami Dolphins.