World Cup
“A lot of planning and a lot of research has gone into this over the last five, six, seven, eight years.”
Gillette Stadium has been renamed Boston Stadium for the next few weeks. (Photo by: Barry Chin/Globe Staff).
FOXBOROUGH — A 12-foot bronze statue of Tom Brady remains on guard just outside the gates of Gillette Stadium.
But beyond the immortalized presence of the Patriots legend, there are very few signs showcasing Gillette Stadium’s standing as New England’s longstanding NFL venue.
Yes, the Patriots’ six championship banners still hang over the south scoreboard, but just about every mention of Gillette Stadium and numerous other brands and logos have been tarped over, blotted out, or removed from the venue ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Such is the cost of doing business for any venue set to host soccer matches during the anticipated international tournament, with the Patriots’ home venue — temporarily tabbed as “Boston Stadium” — undergoing a sizable makeover before tournament play.
Ahead of Saturday’s opening match between Scotland and Haiti, World Cup organizers offered a sneak peek at some of the changes taking place around New England’s largest sporting venue.
Beyond the miles of temporary fencing, barriers, and checkpoints pockmarking both Boston Stadium and the miles of parking lots, shopping centers, and bars located straight off Route 1, one of the most noticeable changes is the revamped playing surface.
For the first time in 20 years, Gillette Stadium has a grass field — or pitch — in place, as FIFA requires that every venue hosting international soccer have a grass surface.
Of the 11 host stadiums in the US that will host FIFA World Cup matches over the next few months, seven of them have synthetic turf — including Gillette Stadium.
Replacing that playing surface with grass has been a months-long undertaking by both FIFA and Gillette Stadium officials — especially when it comes to battling the unpredictable spring weather in New England.
“I’m really proud,” venue pitch manager Greg Whately said of Gillette’s grass field, which is comprised of both bluegrass and ryegrass. “This is the pinnacle for any player. We’re giving them the stage to perform, so we have to give them the proper stage.”
Natural grass on the playing pitch has replaced the synthetic turf that was on the field before. On the left you can see the synthetic turf where it ends before it meets the natural grass. Guided walk though of Gillette Stadium ahead of the first World Cup game being held there on Saturday. – Barry Chin/Globe Staff)
It’s been a labor of love for both Whatley and the rest of the grounds crew in Foxborough, with the blades of grass at Boston Stadium all cut down to nine-tenths of an inch.
Once Saturday’s match ends, Whatley expects his staff to be out there until 3 or 4 a.m. in order to ready the playing surface for the six other games set to be played in Foxborough.
“As soon as the final whistle goes, we’re going to be out there, repairing divots, mowing and fixing any kind of blemishes,” Whatley noted.
While the Patriots have spent the last few weeks holding organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamp practices in the fields behind Gillette Stadium, FIFA has augmented several areas of New England’s arena.
The Patriots’ film room has been converted into FIFA’s press conference area — with the cushioned seats designed to hold a full NFL roster removed and replaced with more standard seats for media and soccer officials.
The Patriots’ locker room is off limits for the teams set to call Boston Stadium home over the next few weeks, with both the Revolution’s locker room and the NFL visiting team’s locker room converted into the two dressing areas of World Cup clubs.
Pictured is a team locker room during a guided walk though of Gillette Stadium ahead of the first World Cup game being held there on Saturday. (Barry Chin/Globe Staff)
As for the fan experience, nearly 200 volunteers will be at the ready for the pre-game ceremonies on Saturday, with just about every corner of the pitch expected to be involved in the pomp and circumstance.
Fans in attendance will also be able to take part in the Stadium Fan Experience zone — located just outside of Boston Stadium. The experience zone, which includes a giant video board, food trucks, and other amenities, will open three hours before kickoff, close a half-hour before the game begins, and then re-open for fans two hours after games ends.
After years of planning, construction work, red-tape stalemates, and other headaches, there is only one thing left to do in Foxborough. Kick things off on Saturday night.
“A lot of planning and a lot of research has gone into this over the last five, six, seven, eight years,” Whatley said. “The pressure is there, but we’re fully confident that we are going to have the answers that we need. Can’t wait for it to start to be honest.”
Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.
Get the latest Boston sports news
Receive updates on your favorite Boston teams, straight from our newsroom to your inbox.
