Yes, Broncos Stadium, officially known as Empower Field at Mile High, utilizes a natural grass playing surface.
The Real Grass Surface at Empower Field
Empower Field at Mile High is renowned for its commitment to player safety and optimal playing conditions, which includes maintaining a natural grass field. Unlike many modern stadiums that opt for artificial turf, the home of the Denver Broncos ensures an authentic football experience on real grass.
Here's what makes the field unique:
- Type of Grass: The playing surface consists of Kentucky bluegrass, a popular choice for sports fields due to its durability and lush appearance.
- Frequent Replacement: In a significant commitment to player well-being, the field is frequently replaced, sometimes multiple times within a single season. For instance, the playing field has been replaced during the season for three consecutive years to ensure player safety.
- Logistics of Replacement: Replacing the field is a substantial undertaking, requiring considerable resources. A single replacement involves bringing in numerous truckloads of new sod. On one occasion, it took 14 truckloads of Kentucky bluegrass sourced from a turf farm in Platteville, Colorado, to resurface the field. This demonstrates the ongoing dedication to providing a high-quality, natural playing environment for the athletes.
The choice to use and regularly maintain a real grass field at Empower Field at Mile High underscores a priority for player health and the traditional feel of the game, setting it apart from venues that use synthetic alternatives.
