Overview
- The temporary natural sod that hosted seven FIFA World Cup matches at Gillette Stadium was removed Sunday and the stadium has been relaid with artificial turf ahead of the 2026 NFL season.
- The NFLPA issued a sharp statement criticizing owners for installing grass for the World Cup but not for NFL players and cited a union poll of 1,700 players that found 92 percent prefer natural grass.
- Patriots players said grass feels easier on knees and ankles, and field superintendent Ryan Bjorn said the World Cup sod was installed over six weeks beginning in early February.
- Team owners and stadium operators point to high recurring costs, added heating and irrigation needs for cold-weather sites, and multi-event scheduling as the reasons turf remains the practical choice for many venues.
- The league and the players remain at odds over injury data—NFL figures show nearly equal overall injury rates while the NFLPA cites higher non-contact lower-leg and foot injuries on turf—and the dispute is likely to be raised as a bargaining issue in future collective‑bargaining talks.