It was in this context that WMF recognised the potential of artificial turf for the further development of minifootball after long history when minifootball has been played only on the nature grass. Due to its resistance to weather and more intense use, it is the best alternative to natural grass. However, there are huge differences in terms of quality between the various systems of different kind of generation surfaces that are available on the market.

Only artificial playing surfaces which have been tested in the laboratory and on the field according to the testing criteria of the WMF Quality Programme can be called minifootball turf. This name means that these systems fulfil the quality requirements necessary for minifootball in terms of playing performance, safety, durability and quality assurance.

Minifootball is played on smaller field and its load on natural grass is obvious. The starting point of this situation is an artificial turf, which offers not only financially less maintenance, but at the same time rejects the eventual ineligibility of the terrain, especially in the raining days and winter months. Therefore, WMF has decided to officially test lawns that meet the WMF's expected paramaters for a competitive matches.

Only artificial playing surfaces that have been tested in the laboratory and on the field according to the test criteria of the WMF Quality Program can be called minifootball turf. This means that these systems meet the quality requirements for minifootball in terms of playing performance, safety, durability and quality assurance.

To identify football turf pitches, WMF awards the WMF QUALITY mark to pitches that meet the standard for community and amateur pitches, and the WMF QUALITY INT mark to pitches that ensure the highest playing performance for mostly international minifootball competitions organized by WMF or its continental federations.

Quality assurance

The development of the standard

The benchmark for testing from the start is a natural grass pitch in good condition. The artificial surface is only awarded one of the WMF QUALITY marks and called minifootball turf.

A stringent two-phase testing procedure, which includes testing the product in the laboratory and testing the final installation, ensures that the minifootball turf meets the requirements for playing performance, safety, durability and quality assurance. Both testing phases focus on:

• Interaction between the player and the surface
• Interaction between the ball and the surface
• Product composition
• Weather resistance
• Seam strength
• Service life

By comparing the results of both tests, you can be sure that the field of play fulfils exactly the same requirements as set out by the WMF Quality Programme. If both tests are passed, WMF awards the final installation either the WMF QUALITY or the WMF QUALITY INT mark.