Why are temporary grass pitches used for soccer matches in USA?

In early August, Ohio Stadium, nicknamed “The Shoe,” gave Premier League fans in the U.S. a rare chance to see their favorite soccer teams up close. Manchester City and Chelsea faced off in an exciting 4-2 game during the FC Series as part of their preseason preparations for the 2024/25 season. Some of Manchester City’s goals came from mistakes by young Chelsea players who are still adjusting under their new head coach, Enzo Maresca. Both teams’ managers seemed to think that the pitch at Ohio Stadium contributed to these errors.

City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, suggested that the playing surface was to blame for Chelsea’s mistakes, saying, “If this match was at Stamford Bridge, it wouldn’t have happened.” Chelsea’s Maresca agreed, though he was reluctant to make excuses. He mentioned that the pitch wasn’t ideal for their style of play, as the ball moved more slowly than it would on their regular home ground.

This isn’t the first time global managers have had issues with U.S. playing surfaces. With the 2026 World Cup coming up, there’s growing concern about how the quality of these fields might impact the tournament. The U.S. has unique challenges with its soccer pitches compared to Europe, and some adjustments may be needed.

In the United States, many soccer games are played on artificial turf, but FIFA requires all World Cup matches to be played on natural grass. Top European clubs often refuse to play on artificial turf, so tournaments that want to attract these big teams must use grass fields instead.

There’s a common belief that artificial turf increases the risk of injuries. While studies are still ongoing to confirm this, the concern is widespread and has some basis. Artificial turf has several advantages, such as lower maintenance costs, versatility for different sports, and durability for non-sporting events like concerts and conventions. However, for major soccer matches, these fields must be converted to grass, a process that has improved over time but still faces challenges.

How Grass Fields Are Installed Over Turf

To understand the issues with grass-over-turf fields, it’s important to know how they are prepared and installed. About six months before a match, the grass is grown at a sod farm. For example, for the Manchester City vs. Chelsea game at Ohio Stadium, the grass was grown at Carolina Green Corp in North Carolina. The grass, called Bermuda grass, is grown on plastic and is intended for immediate use.

Transporting the sod to the stadium requires careful planning. For the Ohio Stadium match, 31 refrigerated trucks were needed to move 558 rolls of sod weighing over a ton. The installation team, Bush Sportsturf, managed to lay the sod in under two days without driving vehicles over it to prevent damage. They have to account for different base surfaces, like a turf field and a track, to ensure the grass performs consistently.

Concerns with Grass Over Turf

Recent soccer matches in the U.S. have faced criticism for the quality of these grass-over-turf fields. During the 2024 Copa America, players and coaches pointed out issues such as seam tightness and inconsistent bounce. These problems can affect player safety and performance, with some coaches suggesting the surface might contribute to injuries.

Improvements have been made, but challenges remain. The focus has shifted from just laying down grass to ensuring the temporary fields meet high standards for safety and performance. However, with the World Cup approaching, there’s a need to adapt to the unique conditions of U.S. pitches.

Differences in Grass and Climate

Soccer pitches in different parts of the world play differently due to climate and grass types. In Europe, cool-weather grasses like ryegrass and bluegrass are common, but in the U.S., Bermuda grass is preferred due to its ability to handle warmer weather. This difference affects how the ball moves and bounces on the field.

FIFA is working to create consistency across venues for the 2026 World Cup. They’re exploring hybrid grass systems, which combine natural and artificial elements, to address the challenges posed by varying climates and field conditions in the U.S. Testing these systems at the 2025 Club World Cup might provide insights into their effectiveness.

In conclusion, while soccer pitches in the U.S. might differ from those in Europe, these variations reflect the global nature of the sport. Players and coaches may need to adjust to these differences, but efforts are being made to ensure the World Cup fields offer a high standard of play and safety.