New England Revolution
After swapping out the natural grass, Gillette Stadium will see its second turf playing surface installation of the summer due to a specific NFL policy.
A view of the Gillette Stadium turf after the Revolution game on Aug. 8. Via Hayden Bird
After discarding its natural grass surface following the World Cup, Gillette Stadium will see a second surface swap ahead of the Patriots‘ first preseason game.
The Foxborough-based venue will switch to a new turf playing surface, replacing the one that was only recently installed after the summer soccer tournament.
The reason for the quick changeover is down to a procedural NFL rule, according to a Revolution team source. Stadium crews were set to begin the changeover following the Revolution home game on Saturday evening. The installation will take several days, but will be completed in time for the Patriots’ preseason opener against the Colts on Thursday.
When the turf was re-installed after the World Cup (grass was put down for the tournament to satisfy FIFA regulations), the surface met the standards of both FIFA Pro performance and NFL field testing requirements.
The problem was that the surface had not been approved by NFL laboratory testing protocols, which is mandated if the surface does not use an “E-layer” (short for elastic layer).
Since Gillette Stadium does not have a concrete sub-base below the field (and instead has what the club calls a “stone dust” layer), local stadium officials chose not to use the “E-layer,” which, per a team source, would have had conspicuously negative impacts on the bounce of the ball, and thus the integrity of the game.
Due to the deviation from normal procedure — most stadiums have concrete sub-bases, necessitating the usage of an “E-layer” — New England was required to have the turf surface tested during a defined window in the spring. Having missed that window, the turf was not officially compliant with NFL protocols.
As a result, the turf being installed as the update will be the version used prior to the World Cup at Gillette Stadium (one that was used by the Patriots and Revolution in 2025).
Per a team source, Kraft Sports Group (which operates the Patriots and Revolution) asked the NFL to do an updated test, but was told that it was not possible until the next procedural window in early 2027.
Hayden Bird
Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.
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