The Carolina Panthers’ home field will have a new playing surface in 2021.
Bank of America Stadium will transition from grass to artificial turf in advance of the Panthers’ preseason schedule in August.
The decision was made to help the Panthers and the Charlotte Football Club of Major League Soccer, which will begin playing their home games at the venue in 2022.
Tepper Sports & Entertainment vice president and chief operating officer of the Panthers, Mark Hart, discussed the difficulties of sticking with a grass surface now that NFL, MLS, college football games, concerts and other events are expected to take place at the stadium.
“We believe a synthetic surface provides the best solution,” Hart said. “We have conveyed our commitment to the players to maintain this field as a level consistent with the highest standards.”
In addition to Panthers games, the stadium has played host to college football’s ACC Championship and the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. It also is expected to be the venue for the Georgia-Clemson college football opener Sept. 4.
The Panthers first began playing on their grass surface in 1996.
Carolina’s football schedule, including the preseason, is set to be released on May 12.