Story perspectives

NFLPA Chief Calls for Grass Fields After World Cup

5/13/2026

Summary

Tretter Urges Grass

JC Tretter, NFL Players Association executive director, urges owners to keep grass fields after the 2026 World Cup.
A survey of 1,700 players shows 92% prefer grass over turf.
Eleven World Cup venues will install new grass starting June 11, while fifteen of thirty stadiums currently use artificial turf.
The 2025 NFL-NFLPA deal requires surface metrics compliance by 2028, while the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) through 2030 limits major changes.

Summary

Jones Pushes Turf

Jerry Jones said in March he hopes turf will be re-installed at AT&T Stadium after the World Cup.
He argued that switching to grass for the tournament does not improve player safety versus NFL turf.
Seven NFL venues, including AT&T Stadium, are installing grass to meet FIFA standards.
NFLPA executive director JC Tretter said soccer players now get the grass surface NFL athletes have long wanted.

Summary

NFLPA Flags Turf

NFLPA data show non-contact knee injuries are 32% higher and foot-ankle injuries 69% higher on artificial turf than on natural grass.
MetLife Stadium has recorded season-ending ACL and Achilles tears on artificial turf since 2020, including Nick Bosa and Aaron Rodgers.
Patrick Mahomes suffered a season-ending ACL tear on natural grass at Arrowhead Stadium in December 2025.
Players claim concerts and monster-truck rallies damage fields while they receive no revenue share.

History

Historical Context

After the Astrodome installed AstroTurf in 1966, the Houston Oilers played the NFL’s first game on synthetic turf in 1968 and the league followed with Franklin Field in 1969, launching a nationwide rollout that eventually produced over 11,000 artificial fields. The same safety concerns resurface as JC Tretter and owner Jerry Jones challenge FIFA’s 2026 World Cup grass mandate.

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Tretter Urges Grass

JC Tretter, NFL Players Association executive director, urges owners to keep grass fields after the 2026 World Cup.
A survey of 1,700 players shows 92% prefer grass over turf.
Eleven World Cup venues will install new grass starting June 11, while fifteen of thirty stadiums currently use artificial turf.
The 2025 NFL-NFLPA deal requires surface metrics compliance by 2028, while the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) through 2030 limits major changes.

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