A horizontally draining artificial turf system comprises an impervious base at proper slope, an impermeable layer or drainage blanket over the base at a corresponding slope for guiding water horizontally, an artificial turf at top of the impermeable layer, and a perforated pipe near the lower edge of the base for receiving water for evacuation. Rainwater over the artificial turf first drains vertically onto the impermeable layer and then flows along the impermeable layer to reach the perforated pipe, without infiltrating into the base. Alternatively, a partially pervious drainage blanket is provided in lieu of the impermeable layer where the base is partially pervious. Backup rainwater runs off the drainage blanket horizontally after it saturates the soils of the base.