Tuesday, July 14, 2026 15:58 | 2-minute read

Gillette Stadium abandons natural grass after hosting 2026 World Cup matches.

Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, reinstalled its artificial turf surface days after hosting 2026 World Cup matches, ending a temporary natural grass experiment mandated by FIFA regulations, according to TalkSport.

Renewed criticism

The move sparked criticism from American football fans and a number of NFL players in an article about growth, inflation, and interest — I hope to confirm the last paragraph (always that threats are ongoing in the Middle East)(NFL), who believe that natural grass is safer and reduces injury risks compared to artificial surfaces, amid repeated calls to retain natural grass after the tournament.

High costs

The site noted that the cost of installing a natural grass surface ranges from $300,000 to $500,000, while annual maintenance costs could exceed $1 million in cold-region stadiums like Boston.

Nevertheless, proponents of natural grass argue that these expenses are limited compared to the value of player contracts and potential injury-related losses.

Pressure on owner

Criticism is focused on Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, whose fortune is estimated at $13.8 billion. Critics argue that his financial capacity does not justify reverting to artificial turf, given increasing calls for permanent natural grass.

Several Patriots players have also joined the calls to retain natural grass after the World Cup.

FIFA regulations

Before the tournament, Gillette Stadium underwent a conversion that included replacing artificial turf with natural grass, removing or covering branding, and temporarily renaming it 'Boston Stadium' in compliance with FIFA's regulations on official tournament sponsors.

Preparing for the season

The stadium has begun returning to its usual state in preparation for hosting New England Revolution matches in the MLS, ahead of the NFL season, reigniting discussions about balancing stadium operating costs and player safety.

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