Filled vs. Non-Filled Synthetic Football Turf -- Which One is Right for Your Pitch?
When planning to build or renovate a football pitch, the first major decision is often this: choose a traditional filled system, or the newer non-filled synthetic football turf ? This choice directly determines the pitch's performance, long-term cost, and user experience. This article provides an in-depth analysis of their core differences and a clear decision-making framework based on FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) certification standards.
Two Paths to Support and Cushioning
The fundamental difference lies in how they provide a stable, safe playing surface for athletes and the ball.
Filled System: This is a classic three-layer structure.
1. Surface: Artificial grass fibers, typically 40-60mm in height.
2. Infill Layer: A mix of silica sand and elastic rubber granules (typically SBR or TPE). The sand provides weight and stability, anchoring the fiber roots; the rubber granules provide crucial shock absorption and energy restitution, directly affecting impact on players' joints and ball rebound behavior.
3. Base Layer: Includes a shock pad and foundation.
Non-Filled System: It integrates functionality through innovative turf design.
1. Fiber Structure: Uses high-density, high-weight straight and fibrillated fiber blends. Straight fibers provide support, while tightly packed fibrillated fibers interweave to form an elastic "carpet," mimicking the role of infill.
2. High-Performance Backing: Often uses a thicker, more elastic backing system that directly contributes to cushioning.
3. Base Layer: Also requires a professional foundation.
Performance Showdown: The Real Feel on the Pitch
1. Sporting Performance:
Ball Roll and Rebound: Performance in a filled system heavily depends on the type, size, and even distribution of infill granules, allowing fine-tuning to meet FIFA standards. Ball behavior on non-filled synthetic football turf is more consistent, unaffected by granule migration, but its rebound characteristics are fixed during development.
Footing and Traction: Filled pitches offer a feel closer to quality natural grass, with controllable firmness and rotational resistance. The initial feel of non-filled turf may be firmer, but its uniformity is excellent, avoiding "soft spots" caused by granule accumulation.
2. Safety Performance (Key Metrics):
Shock Absorption: Filled systems provide excellent cushioning via the rubber granule layer, key to protecting players from serious injury. Cushioning in non-filled synthetic football turf relies entirely on fiber structure and backing; while top products can meet FIFA standards, maintaining long-term consistency is a newer challenge.
Rotational Resistance: Relates to stress on a player's ankle during sharp turns. Filled systems can achieve an optimal balance by adjusting granules. Non-filled systems offer more uniform resistance.
3. Durability and Consistency:
The weakness of filled systems is infill migration and loss, especially in high-traffic areas (e.g., goalmouth, center circle), requiring regular inspection and top-up to maintain performance uniformity.
Non-filled systems have no granule migration, offering extremely uniform surface performance and excellent long-term shape retention. However, the fibers bear all friction directly, demanding extremely high fiber wear resistance.
Full Lifecycle Cost Analysis
Initial Investment: The unit price of non-filled synthetic football turf is about 20%-40% higher than comparable filled synthetic football turf due to more and higher-grade raw materials. However, it saves on infill material and installation costs, partially offsetting the price difference in the total project cost.
Long-term Maintenance Cost: This is the biggest differentiator.
Filled systems require ongoing upkeep: regular brushing to prevent fiber matting and infill compaction, granule top-up to counteract loss and migration, and deep cleaning. Annual maintenance costs are significant.
Maintenance for non-filled systems is greatly simplified: primarily sweeping and rinsing, with no need for brushing or sanding. Maintenance costs can be 50%-70% lower than for filled systems, saving substantial labor and time.
Service Life: Under similar usage intensity, both can be designed to last over 8 years. Performance degradation in filled systems may relate to infill issues, while in non-filled systems, it correlates directly with fiber wear.
The FIFA Certification Perspective: Performance is the Only Benchmark
FIFA's FIFA Quality Programme certification is the gold standard for professional football pitches. It sets strict numerical ranges for shock absorption, vertical deformation, ball roll, ball rebound, rotational resistance, and sliding distance.
Certification Logic: FIFA certifies the final pitch's performance, not the product type. Both filled and non-filled systems can be certified if test data consistently meets the standards.
Current Reality: Most pitches with FIFA Quality Pro or FIFA Quality certification currently use filled systems due to their mature, adjustable technology. However, leading non-filled system brands have innovated to achieve stable FIFA Quality certification and are progressing toward higher levels. Always verify that a product has valid FIFA certification test reports.
Decision Guide: Which One Suits Your Pitch?
Choose a Filled System, if:
Your pitch aims for the highest professional performance (especially shock absorption and adjustability) and targets FIFA Quality Pro certification.
It will be used primarily for high-frequency, high-intensity professional training or matches.
You have a dedicated long-term maintenance team and budget for regular brushing, sanding, and deep cleaning.
Choose a Non-Filled System, if:
Your priority is significantly reducing long-term maintenance costs and labor, aiming for a "high-use, low-maintenance" model.
The pitch is for schools, community clubs, or academies with high usage but limited maintenance resources.
You value high consistency and hygiene (no granule migration, less dirt trapping).
You are willing to pay a premium upfront for innovative technology and simplified operation.
There is no universally "better" option, only the "more suitable" one. A filled system is like a high-performance fuel-powered sports car, with great potential but requiring careful tuning and upkeep. A non-filled system is more like an advanced electric vehicle, offering a stable, clean experience with minimal daily maintenance. Your decision should be based on the pitch's purpose, budget structure, and long-term operational plan. Before finalizing, strongly request product samples of both types for hands-on testing and review their FIFA certification documents. Let data and direct experience guide your investment.
