Overview
- Several NFL venues that normally play on artificial turf installed natural grass for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with seven confirmed turf-to-grass conversions to meet FIFA’s grass mandate.
- George Kittle and other high-profile players intensified public pressure on Friday by urging the league to keep the World Cup grass long term and stressing that grass reduces wear on players’ bodies.
- The NFL has said it will not force a leaguewide grass requirement, pointed to its injury data showing near parity between surfaces, and is issuing a new library of approved field standards that covers both grass and synthetic turf.
- Stadium operators and owners argue permanent grass is costly and complicates multi‑event scheduling and maintenance, and most World Cup installations are expected to be temporary and revert to turf after the tournament.
- The swaps have become bargaining leverage for the NFLPA ahead of future CBA talks and have focused scrutiny on MetLife Stadium, where reporting and players have linked the venue’s turf history to a string of serious lower‑leg injuries.