['The use of sand has been suggested as fitness-enhancing surface in field-based team sports. However, concerns have arisen in regard whether physical responses associated to sand training are sport-specific. We compared physical and technical demands during small-sided football games (4v4 + goalkeeper; SSGs) played on artificial turf and on sand.', 'Movement patterns, rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and technical parameters were obtained from eight adult male footballers (20.1±1.0 years, 176±4 cm and 70.1±2.0 kg) using Global Positioning Systems, Visual Analogue Scale questionnaires and Notational analysis respectively.', 'High-intensity actions (high intensity running, high intensity activities), low changes of speed, as well as peak and average speed were higher on artificial turf (p<0.05; Effect sizes (ES) from 0.41 to 0.82). In contrast, time spent by jogging as well as high and maximum changes of speed was higher on sand (p<0.05; ES from 0.59 to 0.82). Moreover, players perceived more demanding to play on sand (p<0.05; ES=0.72). Rating of successful actions was higher during turf SSGs than sand SSGs (p<0.05; ES from 0.44 to 0.73), whereas actions requiring lifting the ball were higher on sand (p<0.05; ES from 0.47 to 0.50).'] Are small-sided football games on sand more physical-demanding but less technical-specific compared to artificial turf?