Buffalo – The Bills’ new Highmark Stadium opened its grass playing surface to fans on Saturday, and the field held up well enough for a 29‑14 preseason win over the Carolina Panthers. President Pete Guelli reassured the public that the occasional divot or gray‑looking patch is normal for a first‑year field as the root system establishes itself.
Field condition and early wear
During the game, a small clump of turf was torn up, prompting officials to briefly stop the play clock while a grounds crew member repaired the divot. Before kickoff, portions of the field appeared more gray than green, and after the game the most worn area was between the hash marks. Grounds staff quickly re‑seeded those spots after the final whistle.
Guelli explained that the field’s performance was expected to improve over time. “From a playability and safety perspective, everybody’s very happy,” he said. “It’s Year 1. So it’s a brand new field and it’s going to take time for the foundation to build up. Some of the things people saw in the game will dissipate over time.”
Why the switch to grass?
The move from artificial turf to natural Kentucky bluegrass was driven by owner Terry Pegula’s preference for grass and the players’ union, which overwhelmingly favors natural surfaces because injury rates are lower on grass than on synthetic fields. The turf was supplied by New Jersey‑based Tuckahoe Turf Farms, a company that also installed the same grass on the Bills’ practice field a decade ago.
Highmark Stadium, a $2.1 billion open‑air venue that opened this summer, replaces the old indoor arena that housed the Bills for 45 years. The new stadium has already faced criticism on social media over seat sightlines, but the team reports that complaints represent less than 1 percent of season‑ticket holders and are being addressed individually.
Maintenance and future plans
Senior Vice President of Venue Operations Andy Major noted that the field’s stability depends on organic matter building up under the roots over years, not just the surface layer. The grounds crew monitors the grass with ventilation, heating and grow‑light systems and compares its growth to the practice field’s established turf.
To protect the new surface, the Bills have chosen not to host concerts at the stadium this year and will also forego the regional high school football championships in November. A fan‑open practice is scheduled for Tuesday morning, and the team will host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Aug. 27 in the preseason finale. Buffalo’s regular‑season home opener against the Detroit Lions is set for Sept. 17.
Looking ahead
Guelli acknowledged that winter weather will be the next major test for the field, with snow and strong Lake Erie winds expected later in the season. “We think we’ve figured it out, but it’s going to take time to see all the different iterations and conditions,” he said. “Once we get there, we’ll continue to adjust.”
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
