NFL players have launched a coordinated social-media campaign to pressure team owners into replacing artificial turf with high-quality natural grass in all stadiums. The movement, centered on the hashtag #WorthTheCost, gained momentum on Friday as dozens of players, including Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and Washington Commanders offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, publicly called for the permanent conversion of all league playing surfaces.
The Impact of the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The campaign was ignited by the presence of natural grass at NFL venues hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Players have highlighted this transition as evidence that natural grass is a feasible option for NFL stadiums. If stadiums can make grass work for the World Cup, they can make it work for NFL players,
Laremy Tunsil wrote on X. The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) previously issued a statement criticizing the move, describing the temporary grass as a choice by certain NFL team owners to do for soccer players what they refuse to do for NFL players.
Current Landscape and League Position
As of July 2026, half of the NFL’s 30 stadiums feature natural grass fields, while the other half rely on artificial turf. The league has historically resisted mandates for grass, often citing concerns regarding stadium flexibility, maintenance, and the ability to host other events.
The NFL has also disputed the safety claims central to the players’ argument. In January 2026, the league announced that, based on internal data, the player injury rate was statistically similar on grass and turf. The NFLPA, however, maintains that 92 percent of players prefer playing on natural grass, with Green Bay linebacker Zaire Franklin stating on social media that the cost of doing nothing is paid for by players' bodies.
Financial and Labor Challenges
Transitioning all stadiums to grass presents significant logistical and financial hurdles. For indoor facilities or stadiums in harsh climates, maintaining high-quality grass may require expensive retrofitting, such as implementing systems that slide the field outdoors or store it in underground greenhouses. Additionally, stadiums that host multiple events, such as the Miami Dolphins’ Hard Rock Stadium, often require frequent field replacements to manage wear and tear, a process supported by team-owned sod farms.
Industry observers note that because the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) runs through 2030, a formal shift to mandatory grass fields would likely require a major concession from the players. If the issue were to be addressed during CBA negotiations, the league would likely demand that the players share the costs of installation and maintenance, or cover the loss of revenue from other events that cannot be held on grass. This would effectively require players to choose between funding for the salary cap or the surface they play on.
Stakes for the Future
The current strategy of using public pressure and social-media shaming is intended to bypass the CBA process. However, whether such a campaign can influence ownership remains uncertain. While teams like the Buffalo Bills have opted for grass in their new stadium, other franchises retain the power to choose their preferred surface. Unless players are willing to make significant financial concessions in future labor negotiations, the league’s current mix of grass and turf surfaces is expected to remain the status quo.
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