Women’s World Cup synthetic turf reportedly reaches 120 F

The controversial synthetic turf at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Canada, was reportedly a steep 120 degrees Fahrenheit at the start of the first Women’s World Cup game on June 6, although the temperature outside only reached 75 degrees.

Julie Stewart-Binks, the official Women’s World Cup sideline reporter for Fox Sports, tweeted about the hot turf temperatures. (images below)

According to the Washington Post, a study cited by the Las Vegas Sun in 2009 found that artificial turf above 122 degrees is considered unsafe for sustained athletic use and that, depending on the air temperature, turf can get as hot as 180 degrees.

The high temperatures does not necessarily mean that players will burn themselves on the turf, but it could take a toll on the players’ endurance or vigor.

The recent controversy between FIFA and 2015 Women’s World Cup players has been an ongoing battle.

FIFA announced the Women’s World Cup’s nine stadiums will feature synthetic turf surfaces, despite more than 60 international soccer players filing a gender discrimination lawsuit that was eventually dropped. The athletes have expressed concerns over safety, declaring that unlike natural grass, synthetic turf leads to injuries and changes the game altogether.

Abby Wambach recently revealed to ESPN that FIFA turned down the opportunity to have all six fields transitioned into natural grass at no cost.

Commonwealth stadium looks spectacular. The turf is absolutely burning though. #WWConFOX pic.twitter.com/NdSA0tWfpY

— Julie Stewart-Binks (@JSB_FOX) June 3, 2015

I just put this thermometer on the turf 2 minutes ago when it was 85F, now it's 120F. My feet are on fire. #WWConFOX pic.twitter.com/w2w6CCssnh

— Julie Stewart-Binks (@JSB_FOX) June 5, 2015