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The 21st century has seen a drastic rise in the development of technology and innovation within the artificial turf scene.

Our industry is constantly changing and evolving, as new technologies surface and manufacturing techniques receive upgrades. The ambition to make synthetic turf as safe and enjoyable as possible remains ever-present though, and this is what drives us at Verde: making artificial surfaces with exceptional quality, undisputed longevity, all with safety at the forefront.

With many options available in terms of artificial turf, we thought we’d delve into the difference between two of the most renowned synthetic systems: 3G and 4G.

Put simply…

3G, or 3 Generation, pitches are usually the most popular for football and rugby players as the materials used in the synthetic turf replicate the look, feel and playing experience of natural grass.

These pitches are made up of long synthetic grass (usually around 40-65m) filled with a cushioning rubber as a performance infill and sand as a stabilising infill, which allows better grip, smoother playing surface, shock absorption and excellent ball performance.

On the other hand, 4G surfaces are synthetic turf, like 3G, but without the need for infills.  

The surface is denser in its construction and therefore does not require the infills for performance and stabilisation.

 

So, what’s the difference? (And there’s a caveat).

The main difference between 3G and 4G surfaces is that 3G pitches contain infill, whilst 4G systems do not.

3G pitches are the latest to be recognised by any accredited governing body, and therefore, you will only find 3G pitches as being publicly endorsed by sports teams or influencers. Whilst these types of 4G surfaces do exist, the label ‘4G’ is not actually recognised by any accredited governing body.

 

 

What does this mean for my pitch, or the pitch I use?

There are plenty of benefits and drawbacks to both 3G and 4G, as there is with any artificial surface.

As a result of accreditation from the FA, UEFA, FIFA, RFU and IRB, 3G surfaces are the most common in the UK.

The sand and rubber filling helps to increase safety and comfort for players, reducing injury concerns, whilst 3G pitches are typically cheaper than 4G.

In comparison, the result of no infill in 4G surfaces is that they often have lower maintenance requirements, and in some cases, more realistically roll and bounce. 4G pitches are typically an option for indoor areas too.

In most cases, both 3G and 4G artificial pitches provide an all-weather alternative, which can be a valuable commodity for, for example, grassroots football and non-league football clubs, as they search for a synthetic turf pitch that is versatile and resilient.

As always, you should do plenty of research before choosing what surface works for you and your community.

If you would like to chat to some experts, get some guidance, or just simply ask us some questions, you can get in touch with us here.

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