SEATTLE, Wash. – FieldTurf has completed a new playing surface installation at Seattle’s Lumen Field of FieldTurf CORE system, a multi-layer dual-polymer monofilament fiber.
The installation replaces the previous turf that was installed in 2019 as part of the venue’s standard replacement timeline. The project builds on a nearly 25-year relationship that began in 2000 when the Seahawks played at the University of Washington’s Husky Stadium and became the first NFL team to play their home games on FieldTurf. Lumen Field is also home to the MLS’ Seattle Sounders FC and the NWSL’s Seattle Reign FC.
“We are proud to continue our long-standing relationship with FieldTurf as the industry leader in excellence and durability in new turf technology,” says Zach Hensley, Seahawks vice-president of operations and general manager of Lumen Field.
The FieldTurf CORE synthetic turf system, designed to meet FIFA Quality Pro certification standards, features the company’s heavyweight infill design, which has been proven to deliver a lower incidence of total injuries compared to various infill weights, a press release states. In addition, it also uses FieldTurf’s unique wide-gauge design (the distance between the rows of stitched fibers), which delivers leading cleat release times.
The field’s performance and durability are backed by multiple independent certified sources. The system was tested to 200,000 cycles on the fiber wear test by Penn State’s Center for Sports Surface Research.
Company officials believe CORE demonstrates why FieldTurf systems are renowned for quality, safety, and performance. “The company continues to find new ways to reduce the risk and severity of injuries and its focus on safety has led to numerous injury-reducing innovations and improvements. Independent multi-year research validates their mission and execution of providing the safest playing fields possible for the athletes who use them,” the press release states.
“The relationship between FieldTurf and the city of Seattle, along with its professional sports teams, has nurtured immense trust through the years, and we’re happy to see it continue,” says Eric Daliere, president of Tarkett North America & Tarkett Sports. “We’re proud that the consistent reliability of FieldTurf products has benefitted both Lumen Field and the world-class athletes who compete there.”
As part of FieldTurf’s Sustain the Game program, the replacement will also see the aged FieldTurf system recycled by separating the infill from the carpet at one of the company’s specialized plants. Carpet material is then transported to an exclusive recycling partner, where a proprietary process is used to upcycle the material into a high-grade polyurethane and polypropylene blend, transforming it into various products like nailer boards, planters, and park benches. The process ensures that all components of the field avoid being sent to landfills in the replacement of the surface.
