Ohio State football will install new NFL-caliber turf for the 2026 season, enhancing player safety and game atmosphere. The turf features integrated markings and customizable end zones, replacing the old 'slit film' surface linked to higher injury rates.
Key points
Ohio State football will install new turf for the 2026 season
The turf is from Shaw Sports Turf's Forge Series
New turf meets NFL requirements and integrates field markings
Customizable end zones will enhance game atmospheres
Old turf was linked to higher non-contact injury rates
Mentioned in this story
Shaw Sports Turf
Ohio State BuckeyesNFL
Ohio State football will have a new playing surface for the 2026 season, the school announced May 15.
The Motz Group is installing turf from Shaw Sports Turfâs Forge Series at Ohio Stadium. According to the Shaw Sports Turf website, the synthetic surface meets new NFL requirements and "integrates numbers, hash marks, yard lines, and logos directly into the turf, eliminating the cut-and-glue inlay process that has long challenged maintenance and installation crews across the industry."
The new technology will allow Ohio State to "utilize customizable end zones that amplify themed game atmospheres," said OSU athletic director Ross Bjork in a press release.
Buckeyes coach Ryan Day added that, "The new turf is a welcomed upgrade to Ohio Stadium to maintain the safety and performance of our players on gamedays."
The old turf, also a Shaw product, was a "slit film" field, which the NFL Players Association had argued has statistically higher rates of in-game non-contact injuries compared to all other surfaces.
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Q&A
What type of turf is Ohio State installing for the 2026 season?
Ohio State is installing Shaw Sports Turf's Forge Series, which meets new NFL requirements.
Why is the new turf considered an upgrade for Ohio State football?
The new turf enhances player safety and performance while allowing for customizable end zones to improve game atmospheres.
What issues were associated with the old turf at Ohio Stadium?
The old 'slit film' turf was linked to higher rates of non-contact injuries, as noted by the NFL Players Association.
When will the new turf be installed at Ohio Stadium?
The new turf is set to be installed for the 2026 season.
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Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. in the 2026 core away football uniform, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
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Buckeye stripe added to Ohio State football core jerseys
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the 2026 football core home jersey, featuring the new Buckeye stripe on the shoulder sleeves.
Ohio State shares new uniform details
The Buckeyes in recent days have announced the return of "Buckeye stripes" to the shoulders of their jerseys and the addition of an all-black uniform that the team will wear at points in 2026.
On May 15, the school additionally said all uniforms will feature a âBlock Oâ at the center of the front of the jersey collar and a "decorative festoon pattern inside the jersey collar." It echoes a pattern seen throughout Ohio Stadium.
Ohio State uniform combinations for 2026
Per the school's release, OSU can wear any of the following uniforms during the upcoming season:
Core Home and Core Road: Ohio State's iconic home uniform (Silver Helmet / Scarlet Jersey / Gray Pants) has defined Buckeye Saturdays at Ohio Stadium for decades and remains the cornerstone of the programâs visual identity. The core road look (Silver Helmet / White Jersey / Gray Pants) carries the same storied legacy, worn by generations of champions in opposing team stadiums nationwide.
Tunnel Vision (Black Helmet / Black Jersey / Black Pants): Originally introduced in 2015 and last worn in 2022, the black uniforms have become a fan favorite and a modern look in Ohio Stateâs uniform rotation. The 2026 edition builds on that tradition while incorporating updates that honor the programâs historic visual identity.
Scarlet Rush (Silver Helmet / Scarlet Jersey / Scarlet Pants): A bold all-scarlet uniform, drawing direct inspiration from one of the most recognizable themed stadium atmospheres in college football, âScarlet the Shoeâ including when it was last worn against Tennessee in the 2024 CFP Playoffs.
Sub Zero (Silver Helmet / White Jersey / White Pants): A clean, modern, all-white alternate uniform that delivers a bold interpretation of one of the program's most classic looks â specifically, this innovative look debuted during the 2020 season when the Buckeyes won at Michigan State, 52-12.
