According to multiple studies, there is no evidence of an increased overall injury risk on modern artificial pitches in football. However, some studies have shown artificial turf to increase injuries in specific subgroups, such as non-contact ACL tears, due to high traction and stiffness. The pitches tend to be harder than natural grass, increasing injury risk from falls and turning.
Health and environmental concerns also persist. Yale epidemiologist Vasilis Vasiliou told www.washingtonpost.com that he would not let his children play on artificial turf due to potential carcinogens and other toxins in the infill. Artificial turf absorbs heat from the sun, causing high surface temperatures. Life cycle analyses show artificial turf pitches are more environmentally sustainable than natural grass over 10-, 20-, and 30-year periods, but only if the rubber granule infill is properly managed.
I would not recommend parents let their children play on there. Period.
Practical advantages include weather resistance and higher usage rates. The turf industry, represented by Melanie Taylor, claims synthetic turf is safe and provides year-round play, lower maintenance costs, and reduced water and herbicide use. North America has about 18,000 synthetic turf fields, with about 1,500 added each year. Artificial turf has a lifespan of about ten years, while natural grass is laid once and maintained continuously. Maintenance of natural grass has greater emission factors due to mowing, fertilizing, and aeration.
In professional football, artificial turf pitches are banned in England since 1998 and will be banned in the Scottish top flight from the 2026-27 season. Players like Jose Mourinho and Luke Shaw have criticized artificial turf, citing increased injury risk and difficulty turning. A study found that a conditioning program alternating running on turf and swimming resulted in significantly fewer preseason conditioning injuries than running only on turf.