The right type of grass makes all the difference in the world on a soccer field. Players will feel comfortable moving around on the grass, and the ball will react appropriately as well.
Finding the perfect type of gas is a difficult process that people in charge of fields have to figure out. The good news is that there are options available that work for all types of climates. Grass choice also comes down to how often a field is used, what level of players use the field, and more.
What are the four best grass types for soccer fields? At least one of these four options should work fine for a perfectly constructed pitch.
1. Kentucky Bluegrass
There might not be a more versatile grass option for a variety of sports than Kentucky Bluegrass. Particularly popular in the United States, it holds up well even in cooler seasons. It needs a little bit of coolness during the year for it to hold up well and look good as much as possible.
With a fine texture, Kentucky Bluegrass performs well, particularly for soccer. The ball moves consistently across the pitch at a fairly fast rate. Even if it’s slightly longer than usual, it’s not going to slow the ball down too much.
Another reason why Kentucky Bluegrass stands out is that it has a dark blue and vibrant green hue to it. Not only doesn’t look good from a soccer standpoint, but a lot of football teams love the color as well.
If there is a drawback to Kentucky Bluegrass, it’s that it takes a long time to grow. If there’s a time crunch, it could be very difficult for a pitch to get back to playing conditions.
Some people don’t like that Kentucky Bluegrass isn’t that great with a lot of shade. However, in a soccer setting, there isn’t going to be much shade anyway, so that becomes a moot point. With sun exposure, the field will look vibrant all season long.
Pros
- Holds up well all year round
- Looks good
- Spreads fast
Cons
- Takes a long time to grow
- Not that great with shades
2. Tall Fescue
Tall Fescue works in a lot of the same ways as Kentucky Bluegrass. It’s designed for cooler climates, and fast germination definitely helps.
What is a little bit different from Kentucky Bluegrass is that it is thicker and denser. It also has a more greenish color two is not as desirable to some. It’s a branching grass, so reseeding will be necessary to keep it looking fresh.
People looking for a denser sod should look to reseed the field at least twice a year. Keep in mind that there are different sizes and varieties within Tall Fescue that can offer a more customized solution. People can even find options that help avoid pests and diseases prone to a specific area.
Pros
- Fast growing
- Drought-resistant
- One of the best grass types for cool-season
Cons
- Doesn’t look as good as other grass types
- Prone to thinning
3. Bermuda Grass
Bermuda grass is a very popular choice for all types of athletic fields in southern climates. Soccer fields often use this because it is durable enough that there won’t be a ton of maintenance added to the mix.
For Bermuda grass to look great and perform well, there needs to be regular overseeding. This is done mostly in the fall, and that’s going to yield a greener look in the spring.
Repairs are much easier with Bermuda Grass than with some of the other options out there for warmer climates. Since soccer fields go through a lot of stress due in a year, having that attribute is important.
It’s going to grow pretty fast, so there better be time allotted for mowing consistently to keep the pitch looking as it should.
Pros
- Durability
- Easiest grass type to repair
- Grows and spreads quickly
Cons
- Requires a lot of sunlight
- Browns in winter
4. Perennial Ryegrass
The final option worth considering for soccer is Perennial Ryegrass. It has started to make a lot of sense for all types of sports fields. Soccer teams love the idea of having richer and stronger grass that works well for the sport.
Texture plays a bigger role in how grass holds up than people realize. The last thing anybody wants is a grass that is too slick and has the ball skating across instead of moving around the right way.
Perennial ryegrass works well, especially in cooler temperatures. Having the opportunity to grow upright forms a very dense setup overall.
A very quick recovering grass, this is perfect for high-level soccer. Instead of wondering if the grass will be patched back up and ready to go for a match, this one will bounce back perfectly. This makes it perfect for multi-use fields.
Pros
- Fast-growing
- Does well with shade
- Aesthetically appealing
Cons
- Requires a lot of nitrogen to perform well
Is Artificial Turf a Valid Replacement for Natural Grass?
Artificial turf is making more and more appearances in all sports around the world. Some people love the low maintenance. The price is dropping every single year. However, others feel like it’s never going to play as perfectly as it should.
Originally, fake grass did not do much of anything. Astroturf was the first of its kind, and it did little more than looking like grass. The bounces and overall feel felt more like a hard carpet. Now, artificial materials for turf can mimic actual blades.
It still feels unnatural to play soccer on artificial grass. Ask any top-level pro and they’ll instantly dismiss it as a true option. No major soccer team uses artificial grass, and they don’t plan on changing anytime soon.
For practice or a lower-level field, it makes sense from a financial standpoint to go with something affordable. From the playability perspective, the grass is always better.
Investing In the Right Grass
It’s never an inexpensive decision, but most people who own or operate a field know just how important grass is.
Unlike some of the other sports out there, soccer hasn’t exactly translated well do using artificial grass. That means that stadiums all around the world are doing what they can to grow grass that makes sense in their climate.
Focusing on a few different options means that there is some level of consistency with feel as well. This allows for more overall consistency as players go from stadium to stadium.
Consistent surfaces help provide consistent play. No one wants to be the player who is constantly struggling to adjust from the last match.
It might not seem like it would make that much of a difference, but a game as precise as soccer needs as much consistency as possible.
Final Thoughts on Grass for Soccer Fields
Picking grass is important when it comes to how a field will play. Just as important is the maintenance necessary to make it look fresh. Too many great fields start off looking good, but a lack of care sends them in the opposite direction.
The grass is essential for quality soccer action. The best leagues in the world use perfectly manicured fields, but it still plays a role at lower levels as well. If given the chance to start brand new, look at one of the four grass options above as a solution.
