AstroTurf: The Pioneer Behind Epic Sports Events and Innovative Surfaces

The Rise of AstroTurf Corporation: Making History in Sports

In the realm of sports, AstroTurf Corporation has risen to prominence, recognized as a trusted partner for ambitious playing surfaces. Its prestigious clientele includes events like the Bristol Speedway Classic and the U.S. Open, attesting to its legacy of innovation and excellence. Recently, it made headlines by providing the synthetic turf for the groundbreaking 2025 MLB Speedway Classic, which marked a historic moment in baseball. This event showcased the extraordinary adaptability of AstroTurf's products, transforming a renowned NASCAR track into a Major League Baseball field.

Transforming the Baseball Experience

The Bristol Motor Speedway, often hailed as "The Last Great Colosseum," serves as a prime example of AstroTurf's engineering prowess. Known for its thrilling NASCAR races, the venue underwent a remarkable transformation to accommodate the MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Atlanta Braves. Over 15,000 tons of granite and other materials were meticulously placed to create a flat, durable surface, replacing the usual speedway asphalt with a baseball diamond. This meticulous groundwork allowed for advanced drainage solutions to be embedded, ensuring the field could withstand heavy rainfall while delivering a premier playing experience.

AstroTurf, recognized as the Official Synthetic Turf Partner of Major League Baseball, installed its Diamond Series synthetic turf system with utmost precision, achieving a level of performance comparable to the best ballparks in the league. The result is a field capable of supporting the athleticism and skill found in top-tier baseball.

A Tradition of Innovation

The MLB Speedway Classic is not an isolated achievement for AstroTurf but rather a part of a broader tradition that includes other landmark projects across the globe. AstroTurf's commitment to advancing sports surfaces has led to significant partnerships with brands like Laykold, Rekortan, and Poligras. These collaborations have resulted in innovative playing surfaces that have revolutionized events and venues alike.

For instance, Laykold has held the title of the Official Surface of the Miami Open for more than four decades. Its reputation stems from a series of innovations designed to cater to evolving venue demands, such as the recent move to Hard Rock Stadium. This challenge involved the installation of thirty courts, requiring swift execution while maintaining quality. The FastDry Courts technology allowed for rapid installation, enhancing the global reputation of the tournament.

Similarly, Laykold's role as the Official Court Surface of the U.S. Open has been marked by a successful five-year partnership, where it has ensured a consistently high level of performance across all courts—a necessity given the intense New York heat.

Rekortan's achievements are equally impressive. In early 2025, it resurfaced Jamaica’s National Stadium within two weeks, transforming a deteriorating track into a gold standard of athletic performance. This project included custom materials reflecting Jamaica's national colors, coordinated seamlessly with local and international teams.

Poligras further underscores AstroTurf’s commitment to elite sports. Selected for nine Olympic Games and seven World Cups, Poligras delivers world-class hockey surfaces and has been at the forefront of sustainable innovations, such as the first carbon-zero turf showcased at the Paris 2024 Summer Games.

Setting New Standards

The MLB Speedway Classic served as a benchmark for unprecedented achievements in sports history. Breaking records not just for attendance, with over 91,000 fans present—the largest ever for an MLB regular-season game—it also reached a global audience of 2.4 million viewers. The performance of the AstroTurf system was put to the test with a two-hour rain delay; however, the innovative drainage capabilities ensured that the field remained playable, exemplifying the reliability engineered into its design.

As AstroTurf continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in sports surfaces, it reflects the synergy of experience, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Transforming a NASCAR track into a professional baseball venue is not merely a feat of engineering; it's a testament to AstroTurf’s vision of what sports can become.

About AstroTurf

With over 60 years of expertise, AstroTurf stands at the forefront of synthetic turf innovation. Being the creator of the first artificial playing surface, it has consistently set industry standards. From professional stadiums to educational institutions and community parks, AstroTurf produces surfaces that meet and often exceed the high expectations of athletes. Through a range of sport-specific systems and technologies like RootZone® and Trionic® fibers, as well as strong environmental initiatives, AstroTurf creates more than just fields—they create foundations for champions.

AstroTurf is proud to be the Official Synthetic Turf Partner of MLB.