1BSPORTS 1B Sports June 12th The AFC officially announced that it will ban important competitions at artificial turf stadiums from August 2025.
In order to improve the quality, safety and professionalism of Asian football matches, the AFC officially announced that it will prohibit the use of artificial turf courses in many of its top events from August 2025.
This ban will apply to the following AFC events and their qualifying stages: Asian Cup, Women’s Asian Cup, World Cup qualifiers (from the second stage), Olympic qualifiers, Asian Champions League Elite Championship, Asian Champions League II, Women’s AFC Champions League, etc.
This decision marks an important step in the standardization of the game by the AFC, bringing it closer to global standards, helping to improve players’ performance and safety on the court.
A spokesman for the AFC said: “This decision reflects the AFC’s firm commitment to protecting elite football matches. Natural turf has been proven to provide a better game experience, reduce the risk of players being injured and promote fair competition.”
Artificial turf has long been a controversial topic in world football, with many top players and coaches worried that artificial turf will affect the pace of the game, change the trajectory of the ball, and increase the risk of players being injured.
The latest AFC policy is expected to trigger major football infrastructure upgrades in Asian countries, especially in countries that rely on artificial turf due to climate or budget constraints.
After the AFC makes this decision, the relevant clubs and member associations will have two months to make adjustments and arrange the game to be held at a natural turf course that meets the requirements.
This comprehensive change is expected to enhance the overall level of Asian football, whether at the club or national team level, ensuring that Asian elite players can compete for honor on world-class courts.