In response to mounting criticism from players including Aaron Rodgers, the Pittsburgh Steelers have announced plans to overhaul the playing surface at Acrisure Stadium before the 2026 season. This move aims to address long-standing issues with the stadium’s turf, aligning with an NFL-wide mandate for upgraded field standards and testing. Steelers president Art Rooney II is spearheading the effort to improve the field conditions, which have been under scrutiny throughout the previous season.
The decision follows extensive concerns about the quality and safety of the current grass surface, heavily used by both the Steelers and the Pittsburgh Panthers, whose back-to-back games in October 2025 accelerated wear and damage to the turf.
Problems with Current Field Surface and Impact on Players
Until now, Acrisure Stadium’s playing surface consisted mainly of Kentucky bluegrass. While durable for general use, it struggled to recover after heavy utilization. During a Week 6 2025 game against the Cleveland Browns, several players experienced difficulties due to the deteriorated field conditions. Notably, Steelers kicker Chris Boswell missed a rare field goal after slipping on a bare patch. More concerning was a season-ending knee injury suffered by Steelers special teams captain Miles Killebrew, a non-contact injury potentially linked to poor turf integrity.
Player safety concerns came to a head after the game, with Aaron Rodgers openly criticizing the field’s condition. Rodgers remarked during the post-game press conference,
“I just felt like it got really beat up. By the time the third quarter rolled around, that thing was really beat up. It reminds me a little bit of the field in Green Bay in the early years, but not until, like, November or early December, where it would get kind of torn up a little bit.”
Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Such comments reflected broader frustrations from athletes accustomed to safer playing environments, highlighting the urgency for a field upgrade at Acrisure Stadium.
New Grass Blend to Improve Durability and Safety
To remedy these problems, the Steelers plan to install Tahoma 31 Bermuda grass for their home games in 2026. This type of turf is a hybrid blend of Bermuda and bluegrass, known for its strength, cold tolerance, and ability to withstand heavy use, commonly employed on golf courses, sports fields, and even the U.S. Capitol lawn.
Art Rooney II explained the choice and installation process during a break at the NFL Scouting Combine, stating,
“It sounds crazy, but they grow the grass on a plastic sheet first to make sure the roots are growing. It’s a different blend of what we have been using. They’ve been using it in other places, and it’s been working.”
Art Rooney II, Steelers President
This new surface promises stronger root systems and faster recovery after games, which should reduce the risk of players losing footing. However, experts warn that proper timing in laying the sod is critical: if installed too late, shallow roots could make the field slick, as was witnessed during Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, where footing problems affected both teams.
League Mandates and Comparisons with Other NFL Surfaces
The Steelers’ upgrade to Tahoma 31 Bermuda aligns with a league-wide rule demanding all NFL stadium surfaces meet stricter quality standards through field and lab tests. Many other stadiums have already adopted similar turf blends, including Soldier Field and Lincoln Financial Field, noted for their durability and rich appearance even in challenging weather. The successes seen in Chicago and Philadelphia reinforce the potential benefits for Pittsburgh’s often harsh climate.
Gerry Dulac from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette shared,
“Steelers president Art Rooney said Thursday that Acrisure Stadium will be resurfaced for the 2026 season with Tahoma 31 Bermuda, a mixture of Bermuda and bluegrass grown on plastic sheets that is cold-tolerant and used on many golf courses, sporting fields, and even the lawn of the U.S. Capitol.”
Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Reporter
Player and NFLPA Survey Highlights Critical Facility Shortcomings
Recent data from the NFL Players Association’s 2025 season survey revealed the Steelers’ facilities received the lowest overall rating in the league, ranking 32nd. This placed Pittsburgh last among all NFL teams in terms of field quality and stadium maintenance, reflecting dissatisfaction among players regarding the facility investments led by Art Rooney II.
The survey stated,
“[Steelers owner] Art Rooney ranks last in the league for willingness to invest in facilities, a trend reflected in the Steelers’ poor facility ratings across the board. Players cite inadequate maintenance and excessive wear from hosting local college and high school games. Players across the league note the poor condition of the field and emphasize the need for investment to bring it up to standard.”
Such criticism exposes deeper concerns among athletes about player safety and the organization’s commitment to maintaining competitive and safe playing environments. The Steelers’ reputation suffered as a result, though the upcoming installation of Tahoma 31 Bermuda may begin to restore confidence.
Future Considerations: Natural Grass vs. Artificial Turf
Though the NFL requires by 2027 that artificial and hybrid fields meet specific standards, the Steelers have so far remained committed to natural grass surfaces, citing player safety preferences. Medical experts have sometimes challenged the NFL’s position that injury rates are comparable across surfaces, fueling the debate on the advantages of natural turf.
Art Rooney II expressed a cautious stance on potentially switching to artificial turf, mentioning,
“The sod farm we use has changed. They’re going to grow more of this new version than what they have been doing because of the NFL [requirement]. The only way we would consider [an artificial surface] is if the sod farms can’t produce good grass for us. We’re kind of at their mercy. If something happened with the sod farms not producing enough of the good grass, we would have to consider a change.”
Art Rooney II, Steelers President
This statement underscores the team’s present preference for a natural playing surface, while acknowledging that supply challenges could influence future decisions.
Importance of the Field Upgrade for 2026 and Beyond
The move to install Tahoma 31 Bermuda grass at Acrisure Stadium marks a critical effort by the Steelers to address player safety and field performance issues that have plagued the team and its athletes over recent seasons. With the memory of slippery conditions at major events like Super Bowl LVII still vivid, the team faces significant pressure to execute the installation carefully to avoid similar problems.
Success with the new surface will not only improve day-to-day player safety and performance but may also strengthen Pittsburgh’s standing among NFL teams regarding facility quality. As the Steelers prepare for the 2026 season, fans and players alike will closely watch how these turf improvements translate on the field and whether the franchise can overcome years of frustration tied to its home venue.
Steelers complying with league-wide mandate to fix Acrisure Stadium surface. https://t.co/MqsstP8LrT
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) February 26, 2026
