The pressure to maintain playing surfaces while hosting various events can be overwhelming for stadium managers. It might come as no surprise that the annual expenses for maintaining an artificial turf sports field can vary from $7,000 to $23,000 – depending on the field's dimensions, location, turf type, and equipment specifications.

A venue's turf endures significant stress. Proper turf protection is of the utmost importance for every type of event, from concerts and commencements to trade shows and festivals. The safety of attendees and the longevity of the field for sporting events are highly dependent on making the right choices when it comes to selecting innovative products that provide the right kind of protection for a stadium or venue. 

Innovative turf management systems can go beyond safeguarding stadium turf protection and streamline operations to help maximize a venue's revenue potential.

What is turf protection?

The term "turf protection" describes applying techniques and materials intended to prevent harm to grass surfaces at stadiums and other venues during events such as trade exhibitions, festivals, and concerts. Temporary flooring and panels are the best options to prevent excessive foot traffic and equipment-related grass compression, ripping, and destruction. These protective measures guarantee the safety of guests, preserve the quality of the playing field for sporting events, and enable venues to accommodate a range of events without compromising the integrity of the turf.

1. Upkeep, Grooming and Turf Management

The first line of defense for turf is proper grooming. Make sure to care for the field using professional lawn equipment after every 40 hours of field usage. This procedure maintains the turf’s optimal performance and appearance.

When hosting events like graduations, parties, or other large gatherings, turf must be protected from any accommodations that could harm the surface. If tents or other items are being erected on the field, no stakes should be used to secure ropes, poles, etc., as they can cause damage to the backing of the turf. Chairs or tables should have rubber caps on the legs to avoid the same.

Turf protection systems like OmniDeck^® and Matrax^® are engineered to provide superior stadium turf protection and safety for attendees. Panels can handle substantial weight loads, ensuring your turf remains protected even under the most demanding conditions.

Benefits of Turf Protection:

• • Maintains Turf Quality – ensure the playing surface remains in top condition for events.
  • Increases Venue Versatility – enables stadiums to host a wider range of events and increase revenue potential.
  • Reduces Maintenance Costs – prevent damage to turf that can be expensive and time-consuming to repair.
  • Enhances Safety – provide stable, safe surfaces for event attendees, reducing the risk of accidents.

2. Avoid Potential Costly Damage and Repairs

During grooming and regular turf maintenance, be sure to keep an eye out for any hazards or issues that may arise on the field, such as loose inlays, sinkholes, debris, or worn fibers. 

Paying close attention to field conditions and prompt repairs can prevent minor problems from becoming major ones later on. Turf protection systems like OmniDeck and Matrax panels are the best way to prevent damage and reduce stadium maintenance and repair costs. 

3. Maintain Infill Levels in High-Traffic Areas

It is essential for the health of a field and the safety of guests to make sure that high-traffic areas are appropriately filled with infill and that it is added when such areas grow low. Repetitive activities, like specific sports events, may cause infill to move out of particular regions. Continued kicking or sliding into certain areas over time can result in high GMAX values, premature replacement, and fiber deterioration if the infill isn't changed. 

Another important factor is the rotation of sports-related activities. Stadium maintenance teams notice that when the same tasks are performed in the same places on the field without any variation, infill levels become uneven quickly. 

One practical solution to the problems of preserving turf health and safety in high-traffic areas is the use of turf protection systems. By equally distributing weight over the surface, these panels lessen the displacement of infill brought on by frequent activities like sporting events. This balanced weight distribution lowers the chance of fiber deterioration, elevates GMAX values, and promotes early turf replacement by preventing infill from being forced out of particular places.

Composite Panels for High-Quality Turf Protection:

Turf protection systems are durable, lightweight, and easy to install. They are designed to lower costs, support heavy loads and protect turf, people, and equipment:

• Equipment Protection and Accessibility: panels provide various types of portable flooring systems that can be laid over the turf to create stable surfaces for walking and equipment. Heavy machinery and equipment used for setups and tear downs can run the risk of damage and extra wear and tear when used on uneven flooring – composite panels are a great way to prevent unforeseen costs. 
• Protect Guests and Staff: stable, non-shifting composite panel platforms and walkways increase ground stability for the safety of all guests, and staff members.
• All-Encompassing Turf Protection: create temporary roadways or pathways over the grass, allowing vehicles and people to move safely and without damaging the turf. Keep the floor protected and the turf safe during small and large events. 
• Quicker Setups Lowers Costs: well-engineered composite panels improve the speed of set-ups and take-downs, lowering labor costs and the risk of separating flooring.

Top Choices of Innovative Systems for Stadium Turf Protection:

OmniDeck^®

OmniDeck stands out as a premier option for stadium turf protection. This system is engineered to support heavy loads, making it ideal for events that require significant staging and equipment. The panels are lightweight and easy to install, allowing quick turnarounds between events. 

Due to the unique puzzle piece design, the panels allow for omnidirectional installation and can be seamlessly integrated around obstacles such as outlets or goalposts. This efficiency reduces labor costs and minimizes the time your turf is covered, reducing the risk of damage.

Matrax^®

A versatile portable event flooring system designed for easy installation and maximum performance. Its overlapping flanges are reinforced with structural ribbing for smooth setup and takedowns. Matrax is suited to protect turf from heavy equipment and large crowds, offering not just turf protection but also tent flooring, walkways, staging areas, and ADA-compliant ramps for easy access.

Benefits of OmniDeck and Matrax for Turf Protection

• Time is of the essence when managing a busy event schedule. These panels are designed for quick installation and breakdown, allowing efficient transitions between events. They also reduce labor costs and contribute to the venue’s overall profitability.
• Despite their strength, these panels are surprisingly lightweight and easy to handle. This makes the setup and breakdown process much simpler and more efficient. The ease of handling reduces the risk of injury to work crews and addresses safety and liability concerns.
• Sustainability is an important consideration. These panels are manufactured using energy-efficient processes and are designed to be reusable, providing a sustainable turf protection solution. Their durability ensures a long lifespan of over 10 years for a profitable return on investment over time.

Key Takeaways:

•  It comes as no surprise that the annual expenses for maintaining an artificial turf sports field can vary from $7,000 to $23,000 – depending on the field's dimensions, location, turf type, and equipment specifications. 
• A venue's turf endures significant stress. Proper turf protection is of the utmost importance for every type of event, from concerts and commencements to trade shows and festivals.
• The first line of defense for turf is proper grooming. Make sure to care for the field using professional lawn equipment after every 40 hours of field usage. This procedure maintains the turf’s optimal performance and appearance.
• Paying close attention to field conditions and prompt repairs can prevent minor problems from becoming major ones later on. Turf protection systems like OmniDeck and Matrax are the best way to prevent damage and reduce stadium maintenance and repair costs. 
• Time is of the essence when managing a busy event schedule. OmniDeck and Matrax composite panels are designed for quick installation and breakdown, allowing for an efficient transition between events. They also reduce labor costs and contribute to the venue’s overall profitability.

Proven Performance with Signature Systems

With OmniDeck and Matrax, you can transform your stadium into a versatile, multi-purpose venue capable of hosting a wide array of events year-round. Whether it’s a concert, a commencement ceremony, or a trade show, these panels provide the ultimate protection for stadium turf and ensure that the playing surface remains in top condition for sporting events.

Turf protection systems help you increase your venue's revenue potential because the quick installation of panels enables you to rapidly prepare your venue from one event to the next. Maximize the use of your space and generate income year-round.

For more than 25 years, Signature Systems, a global leader in turf and ground protection systems, has been providing innovative stadium solutions. SignaRoad^®, OmniDeck^®, and Matrax^® products have been widely applied in real-life settings, such as prominent arenas and stadiums worldwide, demonstrating their efficacy in providing the best protection options for stadiums and venues. Contact us for a consultation with one of our experts.