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MetLife Stadium has been a source of immense distaste for various reasons: a horrid design, traditionally bad NFL teams suiting up there, but the loudest source of outcry comes from the plagued turf that has severely injured many players throughout its days.
Each season, it feels like an NFL star has their season cut short due to a leg or lower body injury sustained in East Rutherford. The artificial turf is very firm and fails to move with players as they plant a foot and embark on their journey down the field.
Last season, New York Giants' star young wide receiver Malik Nabers bowed out of the 2025 campaign in Week 4 after he tore his ACL and meniscus, which ended any hope of his team exceeding expectations.
Here's the rundown on why the stadium took out the World Cup grass and replaced it with their infamous turf.
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What surface did MetLife Stadium use for World Cup?
At this summer's 2026 World Cup, MetLife Stadium featured a grass playing surface that the best soccer players from around the world played on. Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal, and many others avoided injury while present in East Rutherford, yet the artificial turf was still put on ahead of the Giants and Jets' 2026 NFL campaigns.
In addition to other World Cup matches, the tournament's final was also played at MetLife. The field at MetLife Stadium was a "warm season" mix of 95 percent Bermuda grass.
Once the Bermuda grass was installed at MetLife Stadium, it was stitched with five percent artificial turf — the process most stadiums at the World Cup followed. Three venues used a pre-stitched carpet which arrived at the stadium with turf already woven in.
MORE: A complete overview of the FIFA World Cup final playing surface at MetLife
Why is soccer always played on grass?
While many people who have played soccer growing up can recount times they've played on an artificial turf field, professional soccer is typically played on grass fields.
According to FIFA's official stadium guidelines, grass fields are best suited for surfaces in an open environment that features free circulation of natural air, along with no significant shadowing from surrounding stands or other nearby objects.
Another pitch type, called hybrid, features grass that is mixed with a synthetic model grown on a mat. Many stadiums around the world that have a purpose other than hosting soccer matches use this model for a surface that is more resistant to wear and tear.
Why MetLife Stadium won't change turf for NFL
The main reason MetLife Stadium will still feature turf is that it is much cheaper and easier to maintain. Inadvertent damage from players and cleat marks are virtually nonexistent compared to the same amount of force on a grass surface.
As a plant, grass fields require vast amounts of water in order to be well-maintained. The year-round process of this would set franchises back a significant sum of money compared to synthetic turf. Along with that, stadiums that frequently host concerts or other large gatherings may have a lot less trouble setting up a usable surface.
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, who has been a victim of multiple leg injuries and is a firm advocate for the change to a grass playing surface, was at MetLife Stadium's World Cup final back in July. His stance remained unwavering,
Grass still looks great! Let’s use grass instead of turf @NFL !! Please? Thanks guys! pic.twitter.com/1iS8Jf2zPX
— George Kittle (@gkittle46) July 19, 2026MORE WEEK 1 NFL:
Natural grass vs. turf fields difference
The main difference between a natural grass and turf playing surface involves how players move around while playing their respective sport. When a player's foot slides on a natural grass field, the surface is very forgiving. The ground will move with the player, whereas a turf field stands firm. If enough force is applied on the grass field, the surface may divot and fling grass upwards.
As the World Cup comes to an end, I still find it amazing that soccer players got to play on beautiful natural grass in NFL stadiums, only for those fields to be switched back to turf a few months later for the actual NFL season.
Protect the players! Makes no sense. 🤷🏻♂️ pic.twitter.com/j6nbjl26QZ
One of the few positives of artificial turf does not involve the health of players. Organizations may prefer the use of artificial turf for its drainage capabilities. According to Go Turf, artificial turf drains rainfall and other forms of water drastically better than natural grass does.
Turf also does not need to be repaired as much after each match compared to grass fields. Player cleat marks or divots from a fall are much more evident compared to what is seen on an artificial turf field.
MORE: How long is Myles Garrett out for the Los Angeles Rams?
NFL turf injuries at MetLife Stadium
Since 2020, here is a list that features some of the most notable injuries suffered on the MetLife Stadium turf.
- Nick Bosa (ACL tear)
- Solomon Thomas (ACL tear)
- Jimmy Garoppolo (ankle sprain)
- Raheem Mostert (MCL tear)
- Sterling Shepard (Achilles tear)
- Sterling Shepard (ACL tear)
- Wan'Dale Robinson (ACL tear)
- Blake Martinez (Achilles tear)
- Shane Lemieux (patellar tendon tear)
- Jabrill Peppers (ACL tear)
- Kyle Fuller (ACL tear)
- Aaron Rodgers (Achilles tear)
- Al Woods (Achilles tear)
- Jaelan Phillips (Achilles tear)
- Andrew Thomas (Lisfranc injury)
- Malik Nabers (ACL and meniscus tear)
MORE: Why NFL players frequently complain about the MetLife Stadium turf
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