As ACL injuries continue to sideline high-profile stars in women’s football, questions are being raised about the very ground they play on.
England captain Leah Williamson, Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema, Beth Mead, and Chelsea’s Sam Kerr are just a few top names who’ve suffered serious knee injuries, prompting renewed debate: are current football pitches—designed primarily for men—suitable for female players?
Brighton CEO Paul Barber has reignited the discussion, suggesting women’s physiology and injury patterns could warrant a different type of playing surface. With plans underway to build a purpose-built stadium for Brighton Women by 2027-28, the club is keen to investigate whether hybrid surfaces—typically 95% sand and reinforced with synthetic fibres—are part of the problem.
Currently, most Women’s Super League (WSL) matches are played on hybrid or natural grass pitches shared with men’s teams. But some experts believe overuse and poor maintenance, rather than pitch type alone, could be increasing injury risks.
“We’ve always just designed football pitches,” said Neil Rodger of STRI Group, a leading surface consultancy. “But more usage means more wear and tear, and that impacts pitch quality.”
West Ham boss Rehanne Skinner emphasized the need for better pitch management. “TV can mask poor pitch conditions,” she said. “When you stand on them, it’s a different story.”
Former England defender Claire Rafferty, who suffered multiple ACL injuries, said the idea of gender-specific pitches is “interesting,” but warned it could limit access to facilities, especially at grassroots level.
Meanwhile, Jen Beattie and Ellen White called for greater focus on research into women’s health, conditioning, and the menstrual cycle’s effect on ligaments. “Women are just different,” said White. “It’s not just the pitch—it’s strength, hormones, even footwear.”
With evidence mounting and more players speaking out, one thing is clear: more research is urgently needed to ensure the safety of female footballers from the ground up.
