Now that Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, has finished hosting its designated 2026 World Cup matches, so has its temporary natural grass field.
The home of NFL powerhouse New England Patriots usually deploys a turf field, but had to make the switch to a natural grass surface in order to adhere to FIFA regulations.
A general view of the stadium during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between France and Morocco at Boston Stadium on July 9, 2026
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Gillette Stadium in Boston was praised for its playing surface at the World CupCredit: Getty
But less than a week on from hosting its seventh, and final, game of the 48-team tournament - a 2-0 win for France over Morocco in the quarter-final - the stadium has already officially removed the natural grass field.
The process of restoring the artificial turf is now well underway, but has been met with huge criticism from fans.
"Now please explain to me why. Money was invested to get it to this condition. Football players prefer grass, soccer players perfect grass. Why not meek something that was better for the stadium," one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
"Wow real shame. Just needs one NFL to take the initiative and keep the grass or revert to it after watching the World Cup.. real step backwards this and opportunity missed," a second user wrote.
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"I understand for the indoor stadiums but for these outdoor ones to rip it up is bizarre," a third user commented, before a fourth added, "Back to the sh*** turf that makes injuries 10x Worse!!!"
"Players should definitely fight back. Y’all literally were forced to put grass down to make money. Cause clearly wasn’t passing up the chance to host the World Cup. Players been asking for grass & for a whole different sport they did it. Seems wrong," a fifth added.
It is no secret that NFL players have been lobbying for a permanent change to grass playing surfaces for a number of years, amid concerns that turf can be instrumental to elevating the risk of serious injury - claims which have been verified by science and research.
Nonetheless, 92 percent of players would prefer all stadiums around the NFL were installed with natural grass, according to the NFL Players' Association (NFLPA).
So much so that the NFLPA has opted to take action against the richest sports league in the world, unveiling a statement on June 10 calling for extensive field changes to take place league-wide.
Their main argument was that the same investment into player safety and field quality that has gone into soccer players at the World Cup should be given to those in the NFL.
A general view of Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts during the 2026 World Cup
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The iconic NFL stadium Tom Brady used to call home installed natural grass for the 2026 World CupCredit: Getty
Soccer's biggest stars have benefitted from the installation of natural grass at NFL stadiums around the USA
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Soccer's biggest stars have benefitted from the installation of natural grass at NFL stadiums around the USACredit: Getty
Essentially, the field upgrades seen at the World Cup proves that NFL owners have the technology and resources to make the permanent change, but that they are making the conscious decision to refuse to do so for its own league.
This backs up NFLPA's executive director JC Tretter's comments back in May when he said: “What we want is good grass fields. Good, solid fields.
"You look at FIFA, they're rolling out the green carpet for soccer players, and that has become the norm. [European leagues] have surface standards that each thing is rolled out. It's exactly how it's supposed to be. And those players will not play if it's not that."
Robert Kraft facing pressure from players in his own organization
Patriots players have even been vocal in making their preferences known for natural grass in the past, which has seen the pressure pile on owner Robert Kraft.
Running back Rhamondre Stevenson has noted in the past that grass is a “lot less taxing on the knees and ankles and joints.”
Furthermore, Pats Safety Brenden Schooler makes the argument that grass has “got more give on it, doesn’t hurt as bad when you fall.”
Malik Nabers #1 of the New York Giants reacts after being injured against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second quarter in the game at MetLife Stadium on September 28, 2025
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Some gruesome injuries in the NFL have occurred on fields that use artificial turfCredit: Getty
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft looks on during Super Bowl LX Opening Night at San Jose McEnery Convention Center on February 02, 2026
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Patriots owner Kraft has come under fire for reverting Gillette Stadium back to a turf fieldCredit: Getty
It appears money is at the centerpoint of the argument, with a natural grass field costing anywhere between $300,000 to $500,000 to install, and then an additional $1-plus million annually in maintenance for cold-weather teams like Boston.
In comparison, artificial turf's installation costs are far more upfront, but the upkeep is minimal, which in turn, makes it cheaper for stadiums that host multiple events throughout the year.
However, Kraft is worth $13.1 billion per Forbes, and so $1 million a year on the field is pocket change for NFL owners of his wealth, and could be more cost-effective than if a star on a salary above $15 or $20 million a year were to be unfortunately dealt a long-term injury as a result of playing on turf.
But New England aren't the only team reverting back to a turf field, with the Dallas Cowboys also following suit, as well as a few other NFL stadiums that have been used as host venues for the World Cup.
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To inflict even further pain on NFL players, FIFA are even cashing in on the use of natural grass, selling pieces of the grass used at Met Life Stadium - where the World Cup Final is set to be held on Sunday - for a whopping $450.
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