There’s been huge innovation in artificial football surfaces over the last few decades, from the original Astroturf to today’s 3G and 4G pitches. The new surface types allow for an all-weather alternative to grass, preventing muddy and patchy pitch conditions which can lead to postponements or player injury. The surfaces are also much easier to maintain than natural grass, which requires regular watering and mowing, a job that can be extremely time-consuming. This is why the pitches are popular with local five-a-side leagues and non-league clubs who want an affordable way to play the game all year round.
However, with some manufacturers claiming to have 5G pitches, the terminology can get confusing. So, what exactly is a what is a 5g pitch and how does it differ from 3G and 4G?
The term ‘5G’ is a buzzword that’s being used in a lot of marketing for the newest synthetic turf. This type of turf isn’t currently available, but it will be soon. In the meantime, 3G and 4G pitches remain the most common in professional football, with some grassroots and rugby clubs also installing them.
The 3G pitches in use at Sardis Road and other rugby grounds around the country are 3rd generation synthetic surfaces, which were developed to replace the 2G carpet-style pitches that came in at the turn of the millennium. They have longer strands of synthetic fibre to make them look and feel more like real grass and are fitted with an underlying drainage system and shock-absorbent underlay.
A key element of 3G is what’s known as ‘rubber crumb’, which are thousands of black rubber pellets spread across the surface to improve its performance. This helps to mimic the characteristics of grass and provides a more comfortable playing experience, as the rubber is designed to cushion players’ falls. A good quality 3G surface can cost up to PS500,000 to install, which is why it’s often out of reach for grass clubs and those who have only a limited budget.
In contrast, 4G surfaces have no infill products at all and rely on the sand or rubber base of the synthetic turf itself to perform. They are still quite new and as a result haven’t been accredited by any of the sports governing bodies.
Despite the confusion over what is 5G, many manufacturers of fake grass pitches are now experimenting with different materials to produce even more innovative surfaces. This could include artificial grass with sand and rubber mixed into the fibres to create a mixture that feels more like real turf. These pitches are often referred to as hybrid surfaces.
The industry’s constant innovation is helping to drive down the costs of these surfaces, making them more and more affordable for clubs and grassroots teams. The advent of newer technologies, such as wearable sensors that can track player movement and provide feedback on their performance, is also helping to further improve the quality of 3G and other synthetic surfaces.