AT&T Stadium, the stadium with the largest capacity for the 2026 World Cup, implemented an innovative system inspired by Wembley and Tottenham stadiums to guarantee the condition of the grass during the World Cup.
The Arlington, Texas, venue that regularly hosts the Dallas Cowboys uses special purple lights to stimulate photosynthesis and growth of natural grass recently installed for the tournament.
Technology to avoid criticism of the Copa América
FIFA and the organizers seek to avoid the criticism that arose during the 2024 Copa América, when several teams and soccer figures questioned the state of the fields.
Among the most memorable complaints were those of the Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni, who criticized the patched grass of the Atlanta stadium, and Vinícius Júnior’s complaints about the SoFi Stadium terrain.
Now, Dallas Stadium is betting on an advanced maintenance system to avoid similar problems during the World Cup.
A raised and heated natural lawn
The new natural grass was installed this week and is 60 centimeters above the stadium’s usual synthetic field.
According to Tod Martin, general manager of the facility, the grass is a mix of Kentucky ryegrass grown in Colorado and has underground irrigation and aeration systems.
The stadium will remain heated and with the roof closed during the tournament due to the high temperatures in Texas, where the wind chill could exceed 40 degrees Celsius in summer.
To compensate for the lack of natural light, the facility uses 18 huge purple lighting structures suspended from the ceiling, specifically designed to encourage grass growth.
Inspiration from Wembley and Tottenham
Martin explained that the project began three years ago and that the stadium team traveled to Wembley Stadium and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to study similar systems used in England.
Unlike Wembley, where the lights move on wheels in contact with the grass, Arlington’s system works suspended from the ceiling, similar to the model used by Tottenham.
FIFA pitch infrastructure chief Ewen Hodge called the technology “a very innovative step forward.”
Key venue for the 2026 World Cup
The Dallas Stadium will host five group stage matches of the 2026 World Cup, including matches between Lionel Messi’s Argentina National Team and the England National Team led by Jude Bellingham.
In addition, the venue will host round of 32 matches, round of 16 matches and one of the semi-finals of the tournament, which will begin on June 11, 2026.
The organizers assure that by the first match, scheduled for June 14, the grass will be completely established and in optimal conditions.
