INTERNATIONAL SOCCER
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA STADIUM Location: Santa Clara, California, USA Opened: 2014 Capacity: 71,000 Roof: Open air Turfgrass: Bermudagrass, hybrid reinforced fibers Sod Origin: West Coast Turf, California
The natural grass turf is reinforced with synthetic fibers to stabilize the pitch and help it perform consistently across six matches. The fibers were installed with a shallow stitch, enabling the sod to be removed easily at the end of the tournament and a new surface to be installed for the NFL season.
SEATTLE STADIUM Location: Seattle, Washington, USA Opened: 2002 Capacity: 69,000 Turfgrass: Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass blend, hybrid reinforced fibers Sod Origin: Washington
To cover the stadium’ s synthetic turf for FIFA World Cup 26 matches, aluminum concert flooring was placed over the original turf, with a drainage layer of gravel, 20 centimeters of sand, and a system that can bring water in and pull it out. The weather in Seattle in June and July is great for the growth of grass, with less rain and longer days.
San Francisco Bay Area Stadium
Content provided by FIFA and the University of Tennessee
Seattle Stadium
Podcast
We’ re not just in the outdoor space. We’ re also in the podcast space.
VISIT US AT
Booth # 301
The SportsField Management Podcast brings you interviews with sports field management experts, industry updates and conversations to help you better manage your sports field and facilities.
LISTEN NOW!
sportsfieldmanagementonline. com / podcast
sportsfieldmanagementonline. com January 2026 | SportsField Management
47