US stadiums convert turf to grass for 2026 FIFA World Cup

Organisers of the 2026 FIFA World Cup are converting the artificial turf of several NFL venues in the United States to natural grass to meet FIFA’s pitch standards. At Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium, seating sections are being replaced with removable steel structures and grass cultivated in Washington State is being shipped in refrigerated trucks. Similar work is underway at stadiums in New York/New Jersey, Boston, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas and Seattle. While venues in Kansas City, the San Francisco Bay Area and Miami already have grass, Canada’s BC Place uses artificial turf and Toronto’s venue has natural grass. Mexico’s three host stadiums all feature natural grass.

The tournament, the first World Cup in North America since 1994, will be the largest ever with 48 teams playing 104 matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The final is set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Alongside the sporting spectacle, the event is prompting cultural coverage, highlighting luxury merchandise such as Bulgari watches and official match balls, underscoring the World Cup’s broad commercial and fashion impact.