In many applications, yes.

But the reason should be explained carefully.

It is not simply because “non-infill turf has no infill.”

Rather, non-infill systems rely more directly on the engineered turf structure and installation system to provide the required surface characteristics. Therefore, deficiencies in the underlying foundation can have a greater effect on the finished surface.

For professional sports fields, the base should be designed as part of the complete sports-surface system, including drainage, shock absorption where applicable, turf construction, seams, and maintenance.

What About FIFA and International Projects?

For professional football projects, it is better to use the current FIFA requirements and the project’s approved construction specification rather than relying on generic “FIFA base standards” found online.

FIFA’s football turf guidance places significant emphasis on the quality of the basework, drainage, installation and overall field construction. The turf surface is only one component of the complete football field system.

This is especially important for non-infill football turf because the performance of the final surface depends on the interaction between:

sub-base + drainage + base + turf system + installation + maintenance