INTERNATIONAL SOCCER
Miami Stadium
MIAMI STADIUM Location: Miami Gardens, Florida, USA Opened: 1987 Capacity: 65,000 Roof: Open air with partial canopy Turfgrass: Bermudagrass, hybrid reinforced fibers Sod Origin: Miami
Even though the stadium is in sunny Florida, grow lights are used to help combat the shade from the canopies above the spectator stands as well as the periods of rain that are common in Miami’ s tropical climate. Unlike that in any of the other stadiums, the sod for Miami comes from its very own sod farm.
New York / New Jersey Stadium
Philadelphia Stadium
NEW YORK / NEW JERSEY STADIUM Location: East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA Opened: 2010 Capacity: 82,500 Roof: Open air Turfgrass: Bermudagrass, hybrid reinforced fibers Sod Origin: Tuckahoe Turf Farms, New Jersey
A temporary pitch was laid over the artificial turf of the stadium, which will host the FIFA World Cup 26 championship match. Before the natural grass pitch was laid on a foundation of aluminum concert flooring, gravel, and sand, more than 1,700 seats were removed to widen the field and make it compliant with FIFA’ s size requirements.
PHILADELPHIA STADIUM Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA Opened: 2003 Capacity: 69,000 Roof: Open air Turfgrass: Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass blend, hybrid reinforced fibers Sod Origin: Tuckahoe Turf Farms, New Jersey
The stadium will play host to a match on July 4, 2026— the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence at Philadelphia’ s Independence Hall, just five miles from the stadium. The pitch was installed over a foundation of gravel and 30 centimeters of sand. Grow lights will help the stadium maintain uniformity throughout the six matches scheduled for play.
46 SportsField Management | January 2026 sportsfieldmanagementonline. com