After injuries and complaints, Vikings set to install new turf for 2024 season
The Minnesota Vikings will take to a new field in 2024.
The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA), which operates the Vikings' U.S. Bank Stadium, announced on Thursday a $1.3 million project to replace the current slit-film turf with a new synthetic monofilament turf system that’s preferred by the NFL Players’ Association.
Artificial turf has come under fire in recent years as it’s associated with higher rates of noncontact injuries, particularly lower-body injuries.
The slit-film turf used currently at U.S. Bank Stadium in particular is associated with the highest rate of lower-body noncontact injuries among all types of artificial surfaces used at NFL stadiums. U.S. Bank Stadium is one of only three stadiums that are using slit-film turf this season. The others are Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis) and Paycor Stadium (Cincinnati).
The Colts also intend to change their surface in 2024.
Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson suffered a noncontact hamstring injury during the team’s Week 5 home game against the Kansas City Chiefs, and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce also suffered a lower-body noncontact injury during the game.
When the San Francisco 49ers came to Minneapolis in Week 7, tight end George Kittle complained about the playing surface, telling the San Francisco Chronicle that “it’s not a very good turf. It’s not a very safe turf, either.”
MSFA said in a statement announcing the new project Thursday that the current slit-film turf at U.S. Bank Stadium will reach its end of life at the end of the current season. The replacement will be the third synthetic turf surface in the stadium’s seven-year history.
MSFA selected Act Global to manufacture, supply and install the monofilament surface, Xtreme Turf DX, which Act Global says on its website is recommended for soccer and lacrosse and is certified by FIFA and World Rugby.
The project is set to begin on Feb. 26 and will last approximately six weeks, according to MSFA. MSFA expects the recycling of existing turf to be a zero-waste project.
Minnesota Vikings center Garrett Bradbury (56) gets ready to snap the ball against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Nov. 27, 2023.
Jeffrey Becker / USA TODAY Sports
