When MLS expansion team Charlotte FC takes the field in 2022, Bank of America Stadium will sport a synthetic turf to accommodate the wear and tear of both professional football and soccer.
Bank of America Stadium is in the midst of renovations to better support the arrival of Charlotte FC. The decision to install synthetic turf is part of that overhaul. With the addition of pro soccer and potential other games and events to the mix, such as college and high-school football, concerts and the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, there were concerns about the durability of a grass field. Add to that the differing field requirements for pro football and soccer–the bench areas for a football game are within the field of play for pro soccer–and the decision apparently was not a difficult one.
“[David Tepper’s] vision is for the building to be a community asset,” Tepper Sports & Entertainment vice president and chief operating officer Mark Hart said in a press statement. “With two major professional sports franchises using Bank of America Stadium, and more events upcoming, having a natural grass surface is going to be a heavy lift. We believe a synthetic surface provides the best solution.”
Five MLS teams currently play on synthetic turf, while 13 NFL facilities–including shared stadiums in Los Angeles and New York–sport synthetic turf. Bank of America Stadium will feature FieldTurf.
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