Pivot Turf TenCate

It’s not Turf. It’s Pivot®

Delivering exceptional performance without the need for performance infill.

Engineered to play like natural grass

Pivot® Performance Turf is a synthetic turf system designed without the need for performance infill. Its on-field behavior is defined by how the system functions under real athletic load—governing ball roll, traction, biomechanical response, and visual consistency in a way that closely reflects high-quality natural grass.

Reaching this level of performance required more than alternative materials. Pivot® was developed using a fundamentally different design logic: starting from how elite natural grass systems perform under intensive use, and translating those functional principles into a synthetic structure that does not rely on infill to compensate.

Developed through TenCate’s Center for Turf Innovation, Pivot® reflects years of controlled testing, field validation, and iterative system development.

Performance

Pivot® is the outcome of more than 50 design iterations conducted since 2019. Over 1100 players, 26.000 measurements on over 1100 players, and benchmarked across 145+ grass fields using:

  • Biomechanical testing under real player loads
  • High-speed video and motion capture analysis
  • In-field sensor measurements
  • Structured player feedback and load-response evaluation

This process enabled the design team to understand not only whether the system met performance thresholds, but how it behaved during repeated athletic actions over time.

For athletes
Pivot® supports joint stability, smooth deceleration, and natural rotational movement—particularly during high-impact actions where surface response influences both performance and load management.
Biomechanics
Advanced biomechanical testing using real player movements demonstrated that Pivot® delivers reliable grip and joint support through controlled fiber interaction during rapid direction changes, sprinting, and stopping.
Natural play
Replicating the feel, grip, and responsiveness of natural grass, Pivot® delivers predictable traction and smooth deceleration. Its engineered fiber structure governs cleat–surface interaction, allowing athletes to move, cut, and stop with confidence—similar to play on high-quality natural turf.
24/7/365 Performance
Pivot® delivers consistent playability year-round, performing reliably in rain, heat, frost, and under heavy use. Engineered to resist wear and performance drop-off, it provides athletes with the same grip, response, and control—season after season.
Validation
Validation of Pivot® goes beyond laboratory testing. Since 2023, installations across the U.S., Europe, and Australia have demonstrated real-world performance across multiple sports and climate conditions. Ongoing collaboration with elite training environments has helped refine a surface now trusted from community programs to professional use.
Durability
Independent testing confirms Pivot®’s long-term durability and performance.
Extended Lisport and Lisport XL testing shows the system continues to meet applicable performance standards after prolonged simulated wear.
By eliminating abrasive infill, fiber degradation is reduced, resulting in a lifespan at least 30% longer than traditional infilled turf systems—supported by warranty coverage.

Environmental impact

Pivot® is designed to deliver more than athletic performance. It addresses key environmental considerations—microplastics, emissions, water use, and end-of-life recovery—without compromising durability or play characteristics.

Built for performance, designed for impact

Environmental performance is integrated into the system design rather than treated as a secondary consideration.

No Performance Infill, No Microplastics

Pivot® is completely free of performance infill, eliminating a primary source of microplastic dispersion associated with sports fields. By removing loose infill materials, the system supports current and future environmental compliance while maintaining consistent on-field behavior.

Up to 85% Lower Transport Emissions

Without sand, rubber, or other infill materials, transportation requirements are significantly reduced. A full-size Pivot® field requires substantially fewer truckloads and lower total transported weight than traditional systems. This reduction leads to lower emissions, simplified logistics, and a more efficient installation process.

Longer Lifespan, Fewer Replacements

Pivot® fields are built to last—up to 30% longer than traditional turf systems. With no infill abrasion and reduced fiber wear, surface performance remains consistent over time, reducing the need for replacement and lowering material use, waste generation, and overall environmental impact across the full lifecycle.

Designed for Recycling

Pivot® simplifies end-of-life processing by minimizing material complexity and eliminating infill separation. Its material composition supports more efficient recycling pathways compared to traditional multi-material turf systems.

Validation

Rice university Pivot Turf-2
Rice University

Rice University coaches and staff highlighted how Pivot® has changed the game for their athletes. They’ve seen less joint pain, reduced soreness, and quicker recovery times, with players consistently reporting a more natural feel underfoot. According to the staff, Pivot® doesn’t just perform—it helps protect athletes, giving them confidence to train and compete at their best.

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Dr.-Mimi Nartey, head of-girl's-soccer-at-Wiseburn Da Vinci High School
Wiseburn Da Vinci High School,

Dr. Mimi Nartey, Head of Girls’ Soccer at Wiseburn Da Vinci High School, praised Pivot® for transforming the playing experience. The non-infill design eliminates rubber pellets, reducing joint strain and virtually eliminating turf burns—while delivering a feel that closely matches natural grass. With its unique fiber density acting like soil, Pivot® provides reliable grip and controlled release, giving her athletes a safer, more authentic surface to train and compete on.

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Pivot®-for-Baseball-at-McKendree-University
McKendree University

At McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois, Pivot® has transformed the baseball infield. Coaches and players point to the way it eliminates the bad hops and unpredictable bounces common with other turf systems. The unique non-infill design—with dense, non-directional fibers acting like soil—delivers natural grip, smooth ball roll, and consistent play. For McKendree, Pivot® has raised both performance and confidence every time their team takes the field.

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Feedback from the field

Across sports, climates, and levels of play, athletes and coaches consistently report that Pivot® feels closer to natural grass than conventional artificial turf. Feedback highlights predictable ball behavior, comfortable footing, and stable performance, even after extended use.

The future of artificial turf

Pivot® was built from the ground up to elevate the player experience while reducing environmental impact.

We asked Dr. Colin Young, TenCate’s Global Director of R&D, to share what sets Pivot® apart—and why it’s defining the standard for next-generation turf.

Q&A

Pivot® meets FIFA Quality and Quality Pro standards, delivering the consistency and performance athletes expect at every level of play.

Pivot® delivers performance that mirrors top-quality natural grass. Athletes get traction, comfort, firmness, and predictable ball response. Best of all, these qualities remain consistent year-round—no matter the weather or how often the field is played.

Absolutely. Pivot® delivers reliable footing, natural ball response, and player comfort—essential for fast-paced sports. It’s engineered for high-intensity play while staying safe and comfortable in any weather. Versions of Pivot® are tailored to different sports and levels, from elite training to everyday recreation. It’s also ideal for shared spaces like school and community fields, seamlessly handling soccer, PE classes, pickup games, and casual play.

Yes. Pivot® is built for American football. Its non-infill design delivers stable footing, consistent traction, and reliable shock absorption—supporting the demands of blocking, cutting, and high-impact contact. The surface reduces joint strain and stays durable under heavy use, making it ideal for both practice facilities and game-day fields.

Yes. Professional and grassroots players worldwide were involved in testing Pivot® to ensure realism and comfort. It’s the most extensively tested product in TenCate’s history—and likely the most tested turf system on the market.

While Pivot® may cost more per square foot upfront, overall expenses balance out quickly. Installation is faster, simpler, and requires less transport with no infill, sand, or ballast. Long term, maintenance remains low, field life extends by roughly 30%, and end-of-life recycling is easier and more cost-efficient. The result is a significantly lower total cost of ownership.

A longer lifespan, no infill replacements, reduced brushing, less cleaning, and quicker installation all combine to lower ongoing operational costs.

Pivot® requires minimal upkeep—just occasional brushing and surface cleaning. There’s no need to level, top up, or decompact infill.

Performance

Yes. The Pivot® system is tested for CFH, Gmax, shock absorption, energy restitution, and rotational resistance, along with all other required criteria to meet International Sports Federation standards and additional norms worldwide.

Pivot® performs across a wide range of temperatures and can be paired with cooling systems in hotter regions or snow-clearing methods in colder ones. Fields in severe winter climates have shown reliable play after clearance—without the frozen water issues of sand or rubber infill. In hot regions, Pivot® experiences far less heat stress and lower peak surface temperatures than rubber infill turf.

Pivot® is built to last, with performance shaped by usage intensity and site conditions but consistent throughout its lifespan. Backed by TenCate’s warranty, it is expected to last up to 50% longer than legacy rubber-infill systems. In recent LISport testing, Pivot® surpassed 500,000 cycles with minimal yarn wear or degradation.

Yes. Pivot® uses optimized yarn height and density to remove the need for infill while preserving sport-specific performance. Its fiber density is far higher than traditional turf systems, backed by extensive research dedicated to developing yarns exclusively for Pivot®.

Pivot® is engineered to provide balanced rotational traction and shock absorption, supporting safety and agility without excessive grip. It has been extensively tested with athletes of all levels across multiple sports.

Yes. Extensive biomechanical testing on Pivot® has optimized energy return, surface hardness, foot stability, and surface friction.

Environment

Pivot® is designed with the environment in mind. No infill means no microplastics, less maintenance, and reduced wear. Its lighter system cuts transport needs and significantly lowers CO₂ emissions. With a single-polymer design, Pivot® is fully recyclable at end of life. Less material. Less impact. Less waste. More play.

Yes. Pivot® is easier to recycle than traditional infilled turf, with no sand or rubber to separate. Its high polyethylene content provides more flexible end-of-life recycling options than older systems.

Yes. Pivot® can be produced with ISCC+ certified polyethylene yarns, including recycled and bio-based options, reducing reliance on fossil-based materials.

Pivot® is engineered for durability, even under heavy use. With no abrasive infill, field lifespan can increase by up to 30%, while maintaining consistent performance and safety over time. This long-term resilience is proven through LISport testing to 500,000 cycles and LISport XL testing to 75,000 cycles, confirming compliance with all key standards after more than a decade of simulated play. Warranties further reflect the confidence built on both lab results and real-world validation.

Get in touch

Have a question about Pivot®? Let’s talk, technical details, project support, or just a quick chat.

TenCate Americas
736 Market Street, Suite 1700
Chattanooga, TN 37402

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