HELLAS MATRIX HELIX SYNTHETIC TURF SYSTEM BEING INSTALLED AT THE TENNESSEE TITANS’ NISSAN STADIUM

Nashville, TN (Feb 8, 2023) – The Tennessee Titans announced Tuesday that they are making a change at Nissan Stadium switching from natural grass to an innovative Hellas turf system that will provide players a safe surface with a natural grass feel and the predictability of synthetic turf.

As part of the decision-making process, the Titans reviewed data from the NFL which showed that more lower body injuries occurred on Nissan Stadium’s grass than on each of the monofilament fields in the NFL over the past several seasons. Nissan Stadium was also consistently among the leaders in lower body injuries of stadiums across the league.

“Ultimately we’ve landed on the decision, based on that data, to transition to a monofilament surface with an organic infill that mimics the natural feel of grass while getting the consistency and durability of field turf,” Titans president and CEO Burke Nihill said.

With player safety driving this decision, as well as the inherent difficulties with growing and maintaining natural grass in the Nashville climate, the Titans decided to partner with Hellas to install a complete turf system. The technology and research behind this system emulates the experience of playing on natural grass.




The specific turf system at Nissan Stadium includes Matrix Helix® monofilament turf and a Cushdrain® shock pad. What makes it unique is the organic infill used in the system. Hellas’ organic infill is made with natural fibers that add to the grass look and feel, especially when it comes to foot traction and cleat release. Nissan Stadium is the first NFL stadium to use organic infill in a synthetic turf system. This is the same turf system the Titans practice on at their training facility.

Coach Mike Vrabel said he noticed the grass [in Nissan Stadium] becoming slick even when replaced with new sod, causing players to slip. Vrabel said players responded favorably to the new indoor surface. “Just witnessing our practices inside and how they feel and how they respond on that product,” Vrabel said. “We’re excited to be able to add this product to our stadium.”

Reed J. Seaton, President and CEO of Hellas said to Tennessee Titans Reporter Jim Wyatt, “The consistency of the turf will benefit the players. No matter where an athlete puts a cleat in that turf, it’s the same all over the entire field from game to game.” Seaton added, “A properly built synthetic turf field with organic infill and a pad is a superior system to a mediocre grass field.”

Construction of the Hellas synthetic turf system is underway and is expected to be complete by the 2023 NFL season. The Titans will also play on monofilament turf when they travel to London during the 2023 season to play at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium where Hellas is installing the same Matrix Helix turf they will play on at Nissan Stadium.

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