NorthBridge Bermudagrass
The toughest bermuda on the market. Superior sod strength, exceptional cold tolerance, and proven on NFL fields — including Arrowhead Stadium.
Why NorthBridge?
NorthBridge is a fine-bladed, cold-tolerant hybrid bermudagrass developed by Oklahoma State University's Dr. Yanqi Wu. Released in 2011, it was selected for one standout trait above all others: superior sod tensile and shear strength. That's why the Kansas City Chiefs chose NorthBridge for Arrowhead Stadium — it holds together under the most punishing cleated traffic in professional sports. But NorthBridge isn't just for stadiums. Its aggressive rooting, early spring green-up, and dense dark green canopy make it an excellent choice for Tennessee homeowners who want a lawn that recovers fast from heavy use, resists spring dead spot, and looks sharp from early spring through late fall. For golf courses, athletic fields, and commercial properties in the transition zone, it's one of the most reliable bermudas you can install.
Superior Sod Strength
Ranked among the top performers in OSU research across 39 bermudagrass cultivars for sod tensile and shear strength. Holds together under aggressive cleated play better than almost any bermuda.
Exceptional Cold Tolerance
Cold hardiness on par with Midlawn and superior to Tifway 419. Performs reliably in the transition zone where lesser bermudas are prone to winterkill.
Early Spring Green-Up
Greens up earlier than most bermudagrasses and retains winter color longer than Tifway 419, reducing the dormancy window significantly.
Aggressive Recovery
Vigorous stoloniferous and rhizomatous growth fills in divots and worn areas fast — critical for fields hosting multiple events per week.
Best Applications
Where It's Used
GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
Kansas City Chiefs — NFL (installed 2013)
Clemson University Memorial Stadium
Tigers football — ACC
Northwood Club
Dallas, TX — Golf course
Golden Horseshoe Golf Club — Gold Course
Williamsburg, VA
Christopher Newport University
Newport News, VA — Athletics complex
How NorthBridge Compares
Not sure which variety is right? Try our Variety Finder or compare side-by-side.
NorthBridge vs Latitude 36
Choose NorthBridge if...
You need maximum sod strength and shear resistance for sports fields or heavy-traffic areas. NorthBridge is the "toughness pick" — proven at Arrowhead Stadium under NFL-level cleated traffic.
Choose Latitude 36 if...
You want the finest blade texture and best visual appearance. Latitude 36 is the "beauty pick" — finer leaf, darker green, near-zero seed heads, and slightly higher NTEP turf quality scores.
NorthBridge vs Tifway 419
Choose NorthBridge if...
You want better cold tolerance, earlier spring green-up, superior shear strength, and improved spring dead spot resistance. NorthBridge is a modern upgrade of 419 for the transition zone.
Choose Tifway 419 if...
You're on a tight budget and need wide availability. Tifway 419 has 60+ years of proven performance, no patent royalties, and is produced by more sod farms than any other bermuda.
Maintenance Guide
Mowing
Mow every 5-7 days during growing season. Home lawns: 0.75-1.5 inches for best results. Sports fields: 0.75-1.5 inches. Golf fairways: down to 0.5 inches. Up to 3 inches for low-maintenance areas. Never remove more than one-third of the blade. Reel mower recommended for lower heights.
Watering
About 1 inch per week during active growth. Water deeply to moisten soil to 3 inches — avoid frequent shallow watering. Water in early morning to minimize disease risk. Reduce watering in fall to avoid promoting disease. New sod: water daily for 10-14 days after installation.
Fertilizing
3-5 lbs of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft per year. Use starter fertilizer (low N, higher P and K) for new installations. After establishment, apply higher nitrogen in spring and for injury recovery. Monthly granular applications during summer. Always base rates on soil test results.
Seasonal Care
Spring: begin mowing at green-up; apply pre-emergent before soil hits 55°F; start fertilization. Summer: maintain regular mowing; monitor for pests; irrigate as needed. Fall: raise mowing height slightly for deeper roots; reduce nitrogen; apply potassium for cold hardiness. Winter: minimize traffic on dormant turf; avoid fertilization.
NorthBridge FAQ
Is NorthBridge good for Tennessee lawns?
NorthBridge is an excellent choice for Tennessee. It was bred at Oklahoma State specifically for the transition zone — the climate region where Tennessee sits. Its exceptional cold tolerance means it handles Tennessee's occasional harsh winters far better than older bermudas like Tifway 419, and its early spring green-up means less time looking at brown grass.
Why do the Kansas City Chiefs use NorthBridge?
The Chiefs installed NorthBridge at Arrowhead Stadium in 2013 for its superior shear strength (holds together under cleated traffic), cold tolerance (Kansas City winters), aggressive recovery, and early spring green-up. Head Groundskeeper Travis Hogan has cited its ability to handle dormant-season games and extreme cold as key reasons they continue using it.
How does NorthBridge compare to Latitude 36?
Both are OSU varieties from Dr. Yanqi Wu's program with similar cold hardiness and disease resistance. Latitude 36 scores slightly higher in overall turf quality and has a finer leaf texture — it's the "beauty pick." NorthBridge has superior shear strength — it's the "toughness pick." For most residential lawns, either is excellent. For heavy-traffic sports fields, NorthBridge has the edge.
Does NorthBridge go brown in winter?
Yes, like all bermudagrasses, NorthBridge goes dormant and turns tan when temperatures consistently drop below about 55°F. However, it retains winter color longer than Tifway 419 and greens up earlier in spring, so the dormancy window is shorter. You can overseed with ryegrass for winter color if desired.
Can NorthBridge handle shade?
NorthBridge has moderate shade tolerance — better than most bermudagrasses. It performs best with 6-8 hours of full sun but can handle some filtered shade. If your yard has significant shade (less than 6 hours of sun), consider a zoysiagrass variety like Innovation Zoysia or Geo Zoysia instead.
Ready to Get NorthBridge?
Get a free estimate for NorthBridge Bermudagrass delivered to your property. Available in big rolls or pallets.