NFL

The NFL announced a league-wide plan to bring every stadium’s playing surface up to enhanced safety and performance standards, with a compliance deadline in 2028 and a library of approved, accredited field systems provided to clubs before the 2026 season. Both grass and synthetic fields must meet metrics validated by lab and on‑site testing — including BEAST traction and STRIKE impact devices — under a red‑yellow‑green rating framework approved by a joint NFL–NFLPA committee; the league said new fields must meet the standards immediately and existing fields have two years to comply, while noting it will not mandate natural grass.