With the addition of MLS expansion squad Charlotte FC set for 2022, Bank of America Stadium will sport a synthetic turf to accommodate the wear and tear of both professional football and soccer.
The home of the Carolina Panthers (NFL) is in the midst of renovations to address the addition of pro soccer to the schedule. 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.”
Bank of America Stadium will feature FieldTurf. In total, 13 NFL facilities–including shared stadiums in Los Angeles and New York–sport synthetic turf, while five MLS teams currently play on synthetic turf.