Artificial pitches, or turfs, have been gaining trust and favour in our country for some time now. Artificial playing surfaces that mirror the performance and playability of natural grass have become a popular choice among footballers. These surfaces allow players to experience the same level of control and precision as they do on grass. But you should know that a natural pitch and artificial pitch don’t have much in common, apart from their green colour. So if you are thinking about installing a football pitch, here is everything you should know about before installing a pitch!

Different types of pitches

You might have already heard terms like 2G pitch, 3G pitch, hybrid pitch, etc. but you probably don’t know the exact meaning of these technical terms and how they are different from each other. So we are going to discuss the difference between each type of football pitch/surface here.

The 2G pitch

2G pitches are second-generation pitches, and they usually consist of two main elements; Infill and synthetic turf. Their surfaces are generally sand-dressed, especially in recent years, but the sand-filled old-school pitches are available too. The 2G pitches are denser and shorter, 13mm to 24mm in general. They are often described as multi-use game areas. In general, 2G turfs are more suited for tennis, hockey, and recreational football.

3G pitch

Third-generation pitch or 3g pitch synthetic surfaces have three main components; Rubber infill, sand infill, and synthetic turf. The typical height of the third-generation pitches varies between 35 mm and 65 mm. These components are installed along with a shock absorbent pad to meet the testing criteria of FIFA, BS-EN, RFL, etc. The rubber infill can be replaced by EPDM as well. Third-generation pitches are one of the most popular synthetic choices across the world. The use of long-pile synthetic grass is also notable. Primary sports games like football, rugby, etc are played on the 3G pitch.

Hybrid pitch 

Hybrid pitches are made up of 95% natural turf, which is infused with 5% synthetic fibres. This unique blend of materials provides the best of both worlds, with the robustness and endurance of synthetic turf and the natural look and feel of real grass. One of the primary advantages of hybrid pitches is that they can accommodate much longer playing hours than traditional grass surfaces. The synthetic fibres provide added strength and durability, making the surface more resistant to wear and tear caused by heavy usage. Additionally, hybrid pitches are designed to minimise the risk of injury to players, both by offering a more even surface and by reducing the likelihood of slips and falls.

Overall, hybrid pitches are an excellent choice for sports teams and organisations that are looking for a surface that offers the best of both worlds, and they are often chosen for high-profile football games.

Beyond 3G pitch

There are 4G, 5G, and 6G pitches still in the early developing stages. They aim to construct pitches only with synthetic turf. They are designed to eliminate the need for any infill products, while still meeting all the performance and testing requirements set by the governing bodies of sports. However, this is a relatively new innovation in the market, which struggles to meet performance testing and safety standards over a long period of time compared to the 2G and 3G systems.

Synthetic surfaces are entirely man-made, consisting of materials like artificial turf with infill made of sand and rubber. A typical synthetic pitch is designed as follows: On top of the grass fibre, just below that granulated rubber, sand, backing system, shock-absorbing pad, levelling layer (layer of stone or porous Bitmac), sub base (crushed stone), geotextile membrane, pipe bedding, drainage, and at the very bottom, the formation layer.

Synthetic pitches are ideal for clubs, schools, and universities with high usage requirements throughout the year. These surfaces provide consistent performance and safety in all weather conditions.

Build with Surekha

Are you searching for an ideal construction partner to build a football turf? Or perhaps for an indoor shuttle court construction? Whatever your requirements in artificial sports court construction, Surekha Exports have it covered.

With 18+ years of experience in the industry, Surekha Exports is among India’s best artificial sports court construction companies. We cooperate with prime artificial grass manufacturers in Mumbai to bring you high-quality products. We have over 700 successful projects all over India and our production capacity exceeds 10000+ sq. metre. High-quality production materials and a scientific approach to the projects set us apart from the regular market, not to mention the remarkable customer support and maintenance services we offer. So look no further for your perfect pitch!