Robert Kraft Makes Final Decision on Gillette Stadium’s Grass Field Following World Cup

New England Patriots owner, chairman, and CEO Robert Kraft says there will be no grass at Gillette Stadium for the 2026 Patriots season.

You may recall that Kraft removed the artificial turf at Gillette last spring and replaced it with natural grass to qualify the field to host World Cup soccer matches.

Kraft had real Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass installed for the 2026 FIFA World Cup games, but like the beer-chugging men of the Tartan Army, the grass is a distant memory now.

From FIFA Grass Back to NFL Turf

Gillette has used artificial turf since first installing it in 2006. It will use it again as practice is underway, and the 2026 NFL season approaches at The House That Tom Brady Built.

Foxboro's Gillette Stadium Removes New Grass Surface For 2026

The Expensive Tech Behind World Cup Pitch Standards

Boston.com reported last spring that "World Cup venues needed to have a field lighting system and a vacuum ventilation system in case of rain."

"Because Gillette Stadium had natural grass in a prior life, it had an intact drainage system that didn't need any repairs," according to the site. The Gillette field also "required a full 'Hydronic Heating System,' a 'Sub-Air System' that manages moisture, as well as grow lights."

Whew! All of that for seven FIFA matches.

A History of Changing Names and Playing Surfaces

The real grass wasn't the only change to occur at Gillette for the FIFA games. The stadium's name was also changed to "Boston Stadium" for several weeks during the summer.

Longtime New England Patriots fans will remember that before Gillette Stadium opened in 2002, the Patriots played home games at Schaefer Stadium, later called Sullivan Stadium and then renamed Foxboro Stadium.