Super Bowl LVIII: Following last year’s problems, the NFL is certain that the playing surface at Allegiant Field will be “optimal.”

Last season, the Kansas City Chiefs secured another Super Bowl title, but the game’s focus shifted to the playing surface at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Players faced challenges with slipping, prompting frequent cleat changes that impacted the overall gameplay.

As Super Bowl LVIII approaches on Feb. 11 at Allegiant Field in Las Vegas, the NFL is taking precautions to prevent a similar situation. Despite being a dome, Allegiant Field features real grass. In preparation for the upcoming event, the NFL has installed a new natural grass surface, which will undergo testing over the next two weeks to ensure improved performance compared to the issues encountered in the previous year’s championship game. The league aims to prevent the playing surface from overshadowing the Super Bowl, where one of the teams—Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, or Detroit Lions—will ultimately lift the Lombardi Trophy.

NFL executive vice president Peter O’Reilly stated on Thursday that they have implemented adjustments and a comprehensive maintenance program to ensure an optimal playing field on game day. A new natural grass surface has been recently installed, and a dedicated team is in charge of its upkeep as they approach the Super Bowl. O’Reilly emphasized the commitment to delivering a top-quality playing surface for the championship event.

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Players expressed dissatisfaction with the State Farm Stadium field following last year’s game. Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Hassan Reddick remarked, “I have to be honest, it’s the worst field I’ve ever played on.” Offensive tackle Jordan Mailata also commented, “Certainly below standard. However, both teams had to compete on the same surface.”

Even the experienced NFL head groundskeeper George Toma, known as “The Sodfather,” weighed in, attributing the problems to overwatering.

The NFL is keen to avoid a recurrence of last year’s field issues or, even more concerning, a player getting injured due to subpar playing conditions.

Jeff Miller, the NFL executive vice president, emphasized the meticulous maintenance process in Las Vegas, as mentioned by Peter earlier. Various tools and metrics are employed to assess factors like hardness and traction, ensuring that the Super Bowl field meets high standards. The field manager expert has been actively addressing this for several weeks, making frequent on-site visits, and will continue to do so in the lead-up to the game.