NFL Stadiums: Domes, Retractable Roofs and Playing Surfaces

By 4Football Staff · October 14, 2026 · 9 min read

Open air, fixed dome or retractable roof; natural grass, artificial turf or a hybrid. This guide explains how NFL stadiums differ, how those differences change a game and why the surface debate continues.

Two NFL stadiums can host the same sport and feel like different worlds. One sits under open sky, with wind, rain and a cold that pinches the fingers. Another is a sealed dome where every game is played at the same temperature on the same surface. A third has a roof that opens or closes depending on the forecast. The field itself might be natural grass, a synthetic carpet, or a mix of the two.

This guide covers the three main stadium types in the NFL, the surfaces that cover their fields, who decides when a roof opens, and why the choice of surface remains one of the most debated issues in the sport. It does not rank individual stadiums or describe any single venue's current features, because those details change with renovations and new construction. For a current list of venues and the teams that play in them, see our stadiums page.

The field is the same everywhere

Before the differences, the constants. An NFL field is 120 yards long, counting two end zones of 10 yards each, and 53 and a third yards wide, or 160 feet. The playing field between the goal lines is 100 yards. Hash marks, sidelines, end lines and the goal posts are in the same places in every venue. That uniformity is what makes comparing games possible, and it is what makes the differences in the surrounding environment stand out.

For a guide to the lines and markings, see field markings explained.

Open-air stadiums

An open-air stadium has no roof over the field. Games are played in whatever weather arrives: sun, rain, snow, wind, heat or cold. Most NFL stadiums historically have been open-air, and open-air stadiums produce some of the sport's most distinctive game days.

The weather changes how the game is played. Cold temperatures can make the ball harder and more slippery, which affects passing, catching and kicking. Wind affects the flight of the ball, particularly on long passes, punts and field goals. Rain and snow reduce traction and make fumbles more likely. Heat strains players' endurance and raises safety concerns.

These factors are not random. Teams that play in cold climates build rosters and game plans with the weather in mind. Visitors from warmer places adjust their clothing, their practice schedules and sometimes their approach to the game. Weather also affects fans, who sit exposed to the elements. For the effect on strategy see how weather changes a game plan.

Open-air venues often have the strongest connection to local tradition, since the sights and sounds of a winter game are inseparable from the setting. They are also the cheapest to build and operate, which is part of why they remain common.

Domed stadiums

A domed stadium has a fixed roof, so the game takes place indoors. The climate is controlled, and weather does not affect the play. The temperature is comfortable, there is no wind or rain, and the lighting and noise are the same for every game.

The advantages for the sport are consistency. Passing and kicking happen under predictable conditions. A team that builds its offense around speed and timing benefits from a fast, dry surface. For the league, domes protect against weather postponements and let games be scheduled at any time of year in any climate. They also allow venues to host other major events, like concerts and conventions, throughout the year.

The disadvantages are also real. A dome removes the unique character of outdoor football. Crowd noise is amplified in an enclosed space, which can make it harder for visiting offenses to communicate and is part of why some dome teams are said to enjoy a notable home advantage. Whether that advantage is large, and how much of it is due to the building, is hard to determine, a topic explored in home-field advantage in the NFL.

Building and maintaining a dome is expensive, which is why fewer have been built than open-air stadiums. The history of how stadium design evolved from bowls to domes to modern venues is covered in the history of football stadiums.

Retractable-roof stadiums

A retractable-roof stadium tries to combine the advantages of both designs. The roof can open to let in sunlight and fresh air or close to protect against heat, cold and rain. Some retractable roofs cover the entire stadium, while others cover only part of it.

The decision to open or close the roof is made by the team that hosts the game, within league rules. The team usually announces the status before kickoff, and the decision typically remains in place for the game, though conditions or safety concerns can lead to a change. The details of when the decision must be made and communicated are set by league procedures, so they are not repeated here.

That decision can have strategic value. A home team that benefits from a fast, dry indoor environment may close the roof, while one that wants the visiting team to deal with outdoor conditions might leave it open. In practice, a roof is usually closed when the weather is extreme and open when it is pleasant, since fans and players alike prefer comfort.

Retractable roofs are expensive and complex to build and maintain. They also create technical considerations for grass: a roof that is often closed blocks sunlight and makes it harder to grow natural turf, which is one reason some such stadiums use artificial surfaces or trays of grass that can be moved outside.

Playing surfaces: the main types

The surface of the field matters as much as the roof. There are three main types in professional football.

Natural grass is the original surface and still the preference of many players. It is softer than synthetic turf and tends to give a little under cleats. It also responds to weather: a wet grass field can become muddy and slippery, and a heavily used field can wear down, particularly in the middle and along the hash marks. Grass needs sunlight, water and care, which is why it is hard to maintain in domes and in stadiums that host many events.

Artificial turf is made of synthetic blades set in a layer of fill material, such as rubber or sand, over a base. Modern versions are very different from the early artificial surfaces that gave the material its reputation. Artificial turf holds up under heavy use, drains well, and plays consistently in all conditions. It is common in domes and in stadiums that host many events. For the history, see the history of artificial turf in football.

Hybrid fields combine a natural grass surface with synthetic fibers woven in, or with a reinforced structure under the grass. The idea is to keep the feel of natural grass while making the field stronger and more stable. Hybrids are used in some stadiums, especially in places where a field needs to handle heavy traffic.

The league and its venues choose among these options based on the climate, the stadium design, the other events the venue hosts and the preferences of the team.

The surface debate

The surface question is a long-running dispute, and it involves players, the league, the union and researchers.

The players' union has expressed a preference for natural grass, pointing to concerns about injuries. Studies and league analyses of injury rates have been done over the years, and their conclusions have been debated. Some analyses have found differences in certain lower-body, non-contact injuries between surfaces, and others have argued the differences are small or depend on the specific surface, the climate and the type of injury. Because the evidence is contested, and because surfaces have changed over the years, it is more accurate to say the matter is under continuing study than to claim a settled answer.

Several practical points are worth understanding:

1. Not all artificial turf is equal. Different products and different maintenance produce different results. A well-maintained modern field is very different from an old or worn one.
2. Grass is not automatically safer. A poorly maintained natural grass field can be uneven and hazardous. The quality of any field depends on its upkeep.
3. Injury types matter. Contact injuries have more to do with the game than with the surface. The debate centers on non-contact injuries, such as to ankles and knees.
4. Conditions interact. Temperature, moisture, footwear and the design of the field all affect traction and wear.

The league continues to monitor injury data and works with the union on surface standards. If you want specifics, look for the most recent league and union statements.

How the surface affects play

Players and coaches notice the difference. On a fast artificial surface, speed is rewarded, and runners and receivers can make sharp cuts. Footing is consistent, so players trust their cleats. On natural grass, especially in poor weather, footing can be uncertain and the pace of the game may slow.

Kickers and punters also adapt. Footing for the plant foot matters to a kicker, and the bounce of a punt differs between surfaces. Defenders may find that a slower, softer field makes it harder to change direction. The ball also behaves differently on a wet field than on a dry one.

Teams that play on one surface at home and travel to another for road games have to adjust. Practice schedules, equipment choices and even cleat selections reflect these differences. For many players, a long career means playing on every surface.

Sound, sight lines and the fan experience

The building shapes more than the weather. The shape of the seating bowl, the height of the stands and the presence of a roof all affect how sound travels. In an enclosed or partly enclosed stadium, crowd noise bounces off the roof and walls and builds up, which can make it hard for a visiting quarterback to be heard at the line of scrimmage. Offenses respond with silent counts, hand signals and other visual cues to get everyone moving together without a spoken call.

Sight lines also differ. A stadium designed for football puts fans close to the field, while a multi-purpose venue built for several sports may place the seats farther away. Modern stadiums add large video boards, suites, club areas and concourses that change the experience for those attending. These features are decisions of ownership and design, and they have become an important part of how teams generate revenue. They also influence where games are scheduled and which cities can host events such as the Super Bowl, which is covered in the Super Bowl: how the game is organized.

Grounds crews and field care

Field maintenance is a year-round job. Grounds crews mow, water and treat natural grass, repair divots and paint lines and logos. In cold climates, some stadiums use heating systems under the field to keep the ground from freezing. Artificial turf is groomed to keep the infill level, and the field is regularly checked for wear and for seams that might open up.

Stadiums that host other events, such as soccer matches, concerts or college games, must manage extra wear. Some use temporary coverings or replace sections of turf. Teams and the league inspect fields before games, and unsafe conditions can lead to repairs or schedule changes. The people who do this work receive little recognition but have a major effect on game quality.

What to look for as a fan

When you watch a game, pay attention to the setting. Check whether the stadium is open, domed or retractable. Watch how the weather affects the ball. Notice how players move on the surface. If a roof is closed on a nice day, ask why, and think about what each team gains.

You can browse venue information on our stadiums page, see where your team plays on its team page, and use the schedule to see how many games it plays in each type of environment. For the weather side of the story, see how the NFL handles weather delays and postponements.

The short version

• NFL fields share the same dimensions: 120 yards long including end zones and 160 feet wide.
• Open-air stadiums expose games to weather; domes remove it; retractable roofs let the host decide.
• The home team decides whether a retractable roof is open or closed, within league procedures.
• Surfaces include natural grass, artificial turf and hybrids, each with trade-offs for play and maintenance.
• The injury debate over surfaces is ongoing and contested; the quality and maintenance of any field matters.
• Check current venue details on official team and league sources, since stadiums change over time.