Ohio State installing fan-inspired turf at Ohio Stadium

Ohio State University (OSU) began installing new synthetic turf at Ohio Stadium on June 1.

According to The Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati, Ohio-based The Motz Group and its turf manufacturing partner Shaw Sports Turf will install the new playing surface. The turf at Ohio Stadium was last replaced in 2014.

In 2021, the OSU Department of Athletics asked fans to send design concepts for the field. The university received more than 1,300 designs.

The department settled on the following design changes:

• The Block O at midfield has been emphasized with the outer strokes color adjusted to gray.
• Buckeye leaf decals replace the two Xs at the respective 35-yard line kickoff locations.
• Official “Ohio State” and “Buckeyes” athletics word marks, consistent with those on other venue playing surfaces and on team uniforms and apparel, are in the two scarlet end zones.
• The outer boundaries of play have been color adjusted to gray to complement the scarlet end zones.
• Yard line numbering matches the block type font on the players’ uniforms.
• The iconic black/white/scarlet striping pattern found most prominently on Buckeye helmets will have a home in each end zone along the end lines, matching the width of the goal posts.

The turf is set to finish by September, according to the university.