• Loading stock data...
Thursday, July 24, 2025

NFLPA Reignites Grass-Turf Debate Ahead of Club World Cup

The NFLPA has lobbied for years for teams to change the playing surface at stadiums from turf to grass.

Soccer
John David Mercer-Imagn Images

The Club World Cup might be struggling to sell tickets, but at least it got the attention of the NFL Players Association. 

The union weighed in on the installation of a grass field at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey ahead of its hosting of the preliminary rounds by commenting “Looks nice…#SaferFields” on X off a picture of the new-look stadium. 

The NFLPA’s crusade to get all of the league’s stadiums switched from turf to grass has been years in the making. Players prefer it, though the league disputes that data show any difference in safety. Major international men’s tournaments require grass, which is in about half of NFL stadiums. But the temporary grass isn’t perfect either: The new surface for the Copa America at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium was criticized for being bumpy

Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be installing temporary grass again for the Club World Cup along with MetLife, Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, and Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, but will be switched back to turf in time for the NFL season. 

Next summer, seven NFL stadiums will have to make the temporary switch from turf to grass in order to host matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The World Cup has long been a rallying cry for the NFLPA to point out that team owners can switch the playing surface at their stadiums if they really wanted to. 

“We’ll remind everyone that just saying ‘it can’t be done,’ or ‘we’re not going to do it,’ well, you’re doing it,” NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell previously told Front Office Sports at the NFL Scouting Combine. 

The issue was highlighted again in 2023 after then-Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles four plays into the season on MetLife’s turf surface. A year before his injury, Rodgers lobbied for stadiums to switch to natural grass, which would reportedly cost the NFL just $12 million.

We want to provide surfaces that perform best for our players,” NFL field director Nick Pappas told ESPN. “We want them to be able to go out and play and execute and be able to just focus on football.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Dec 7, 2024; New York, New York, USA; A general view of Times Square during the MLS Cup Times Square Watch Party prior to the game between the LA Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls.

MLS Reveals Apple TV Streaming Numbers, Raising Questions

The league gives a rare glimpse inside the high-profile streaming pact.
President Donald Trump speaks during the American 250 kickoff event on July 3, 2025, at the Iowa State Fairgrouds.

Trump Signs Executive Order on College Sports Pay

The order marks Trump’s first foray into legislating college sports compensation.
Michael Johnson
exclusive

Michael Johnson Says Investor Pulling Out Caused Grand Slam Track’s ‘Major, Major..

The investor walked away from an eight-figure term sheet, a source says.
Hockey Canada

Judge Finds All Five Former Hockey Canada Players Not Guilty of Sexual..

The judge said she did not find the accuser’s testimony “credible or reliable.”

Featured Today

Ryan Field Construction
exclusive

First Look Inside Northwestern’s $862 Million New Ryan Field

Five big things FOS learned on our exclusive stadium tour.
Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.
July 17, 2025

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.
2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen
July 16, 2025

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.

Sophie Cunningham Fined $500 for Criticizing WNBA Refs on TikTok

The Indiana Fever star has more than 1.5 million followers on TikTok.
July 23, 2025

MLS Commissioner: Fall-to-Spring Schedule Shift Is Too Big to Rush

The league does not shift its schedule to the global standard.
Nov 30, 2024; London, England; United states midfielder Lindsey Horan (10) with an overhead kick to shoot on gaol under pressure from England substitute Nikita Parris England defender Leah Williamson (5) and England defender Lucy Bronze (2) in the first half of an International friendly at Wembley Stadium.
July 24, 2025

WSL Extends Test of Alcohol in Stands Through Next Season

Attendance was up during the trial.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Matt Corral
July 23, 2025

UFL Relocating Four Ex-USFL Teams to New Cities: Reports

The league called reports of moving half its franchises “unauthorized speculation.”
July 23, 2025

TKO’s Boxing Ambitions Get Boost From New Bipartisan Bill

Legislators get behind potential oversight changes to the sport.
Nov 7, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; General overhead view of the Atlanta United and the Columbus Crew match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
July 22, 2025

Will MLS Switch Its Seasons to Fall? Owners Near a Defining Vote

A long-discussed and historic schedule shift could at last gain approval.
Mar 14, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Drake Powell (9) shoots as Duke Blue Devils center Patrick Ngongba II (21) defends in the second half at Spectrum Center
July 22, 2025

ACC Will Start Fining Schools for Court and Field Storming

Schools will incur escalating fines from $50,000 to $200,000.