SoFi Stadium and MetLife Stadium are installing natural grass fields to comply with FIFA requirements for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. World Cup regulations mandate that all host stadiums use natural grass maintained to a specific standard for tournament matches.
Both venues are among several National Football League stadiums adapting their playing surfaces for the international soccer event. Over half of NFL stadiums use artificial turf during the regular season, making the switch to natural grass a logistical undertaking for facilities like SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, and MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Additional host venues are also making changes to meet FIFA’s branding and operational guidelines. Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta will be referred to as “Atlanta Stadium” during the tournament, in accordance with FIFA rules prohibiting corporate naming rights during World Cup matches. Similarly, Hard Rock Stadium in Miami will be designated “Miami Stadium” for the event. Saudi Arabia and Uruguay are scheduled to play the first match at Miami Stadium on June 15, 2026.
Atlanta was selected as a host city in June 2022 and will stage eight matches during the tournament, including a semifinal. To support the natural grass installed for the event, the retractable roof at Mercedes-Benz Stadium will remain closed during World Cup games to maintain cool temperatures conducive to grass health. The turf used there was sourced from Colorado.
FIFA granted Mercedes-Benz Stadium an exception to retain its roof logo during the tournament, determining that covering it could damage the retractable roof mechanism. FIFA also designates “Clean Zones” around World Cup stadiums to limit unauthorized commercial activity in the days leading up to and including matchdays.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The shift to natural grass in NFL venues aligns with concerns from athletes about artificial surfaces; players have stated that synthetic turf can contribute to non-contact injuries. Odell Beckham Jr. suffered such an injury during the Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium in 2022, ending his participation before halftime.