3 Methods for Sports Field Marking Lines
Artificial turf is now widely used in various sports fields, including football, rugby, hockey, tennis, padel and more. As demand grows, a single synthetic turf pitch often needs to accommodate more than one sport. This has driven the rise of multi-sport fields, where different pitch markings are required to clearly define playing areas.
Effective sports field line marking not only ensures compliance with the rules of each sport but also influences field durability, ease of maintenance and player safety. In this guide, we look at three widely used methods of artificial grass line marking, outlining their main benefits, limitations and typical applications.
1. Direct Ordering
For direct ordering, the client coordinates with the artificial turf manufacturer to provide precise field measurements and the required line widths. The factory then tufts yarns of the specified colours into the turf backing to produce rolls with pre-tufted line markings (white, yellow, etc.).
This approach reduces on-site cutting waste and can improve line durability, but requires strict control of production and installation tolerances — any misalignment between manufacturing and installation will affect whole-field accuracy.
Hockey requires an exceptionally smooth and even surface, and because hockey turfs use minimal infill, construction demands are significantly higher. To minimise seams and guarantee line accuracy, hockey pitch installations rely on pre-tufted white lines for the five longitudinal pitch markings.
These lines must be straight and precisely positioned — reworking misaligned tufted lines is extremely labour-intensive. Seams should be kept to a minimum, and the turf must be tightly tensioned during installation to maintain flatness and prevent rippling.
2. Inlaid sports field marking lines
Inlaid artificial turf line markings reduce maintenance costs and are less prone to errors, making them generally recommended for all main pitch markings. Typically, white artificial grass is used for the line markings, but yellow, blue and red options are also available for multi-sport facilities.
The inlaid line markings are produced with the same or very similar specifications as the surrounding green turf, ensuring a consistent, level playing surface.
To create inlaid markings, installers cut out the green turf along the line path and insert pre-cut strips of coloured turf. The edges are seamed using seaming tape and adhesive, then finished to ensure an even playing surface.
This method offers long-term stability, visual clarity and consistent performance across a wide range of sports. For details, please refer to our sports field installation video.
Marking lines for different sports fields
Artificial turf area required for sports field installation is equal to the net field area plus the installation loss plus the area of sports field marking lines. You can refer to the table below for the data of different sports field specifications and marking lines.
The values are based on typical international standards (e.g., FIFA, FIH, ITF, FIBA, IHF) and practical installation allowances, and should be adjusted according to local requirements where necessary.
| Sports Field Type | Field Size (m) | Marking Line Width (cm) | Installed Turf Area (m²) | Marking Line Area (m²) |
| 11-a-side football field | 105 × 68 | 12 | ~8000 | 100 |
| 7-a-side football field | 50–80 × 35–50 | 10 | ~4000 | 60 |
| 5-a-side football field | 38–42 × 18–27 | 10 | ~1500 | 30 |
| Rugby field | 109.7 × 48.7 | 10 | ~6000 | ~80* |
| Hockey field | 91.4 × 55 | 7.5 | ~5000 | 60 |
| Basketball court | 28 × 15 | 5 | ~420 | 12 |
| Tennis court | 10.97 × 23.77 | 10 (base line) / 5 (others) | >660 | 10 |
| Badminton court | 6.1 × 13.4 (Doubles) / 5.18 × 13.4 (Singles) | 4 | >230 | 6 |
| Volleyball court | 9 × 18 | 5 | >360 | 4.8 |
| Gateball court | 22 × 15 | 1–5 | <400 | 5 |
| Handball court | 40 × 20 | 5 | ~800 | 17 |
* Rugby marking area varies depending on which in-play lines (22m, halfway, goal areas, etc.) are included; value above is indicative.
3. Line marking paint for sports fields
Using line marking paint eliminates the need to cut and inlay artificial grass lines, making installation simpler and reducing waste during paving. However, the longevity of painted markings is difficult to predict, as paint adhesion depends on usage and environmental factors. Re-painting is required as colours fade.
For multi-sport fields, paint offers flexibility: the most frequently played sport is usually marked in white, the second most frequent in yellow, followed by blue and then red for additional sports.
Choosing suitable marking materials is crucial — they must be formulated for synthetic grass, prioritise player safety and environmental compliance, and provide adequate durability.
There are different types of products available, including temporary and permanent options, depending on your needs. For temporary markings, you can opt for chalk-based products that are easy to apply and remove, and water-based paints can also be used. For longer-lasting line markings and logos on synthetic turf, aerosol paints can be chosen. Selecting the right option will depend on how often the field markings need to be changed and the level of play expected.
When painting lines, different line marking machines are available to achieve accurate, straight results. Depending on field size and efficiency needs, options include wheel markers, spray jet markers, or aerosol applicators.
FAQs about Sports Field Line Marking
Q1. What are field markings?
Field markings are the lines, colors, and patterns used to define and decorate a sports pitch. On artificial turf, they not only include essential markings such as sidelines, goal areas, and center circles, but can also be customized with logos, emblems, or unique patterns by tufting or inlaying colored turf, or applying specialised turf paints.
Q2. How do they make the lines on a soccer field?
Soccer field lines can be created in three main ways: pre-tufted lines ordered with the turf, inlaid coloured turf strips, or painted lines using specialised turf paints. The choice depends on durability, cost, and whether the field is single- or multi-sport.
Q3. Why are inlaid line markings often recommended?
Because they offer a balance of durability and flexibility. Inlaid lines last longer than painted ones and are easier to install accurately than direct-ordered lines, making them a reliable choice for most sports fields.
Q4. Which line marking method is best for multi-sport fields?
For multi-sport artificial turf fields, painted lines offer the greatest flexibility, as they can be applied in different colours and updated when usage patterns change. Inlaid lines are better for the main sport played most frequently.
Q5. Does marking paint wash off in the rain?
No — specialised turf paints are designed to be water-resistant and will not wash away in normal rain. However, temporary chalk-based paints can fade quickly in wet conditions, which is why they are only used for short-term markings.
Q6: How long does paint last on artificial turf?
Paint durability on artificial turf varies based on paint type, field usage, and weather. Temporary chalk-based paints may last a few matches, while permanent turf paints can remain visible for weeks on heavily used fields or months in low-traffic areas before reapplication is needed.
Q7. Can painted lines be removed or recoloured?
Yes. Temporary paints can be easily removed with water or brushing. Tougher types like spray or oil-based, use a turf-safe paint remover or solvent (e.g., acetone-based), applied sparingly. Scrub softly with a soft-bristle brush, then rinse thoroughly.
Alternatively, cover with matching turf paint. Always test on a small, inconspicuous area first to prevent fiber damage.
CCGrass – Your Turf Solution Expert
CCGrass has developed various sports turfs for the global market, including football, rugby, hockey, tennis and multi-sport.
Thanks to close strategic cooperation with world-renowned labs and continuous investments in R&D, our artificial sports grass meets the highest standards from leading sports organizations such as FIFA, World Rugby, FIH and ITF. Call us at 86 25 6981 1666 or email us at [email protected] to find out more today!
