NFLPA executive director JC Tretter told the "Not Just Football" podcast that 92% of the 1,700 players surveyed demand high‑quality natural grass. He argued that the feel of grass reduces strain compared with artificial turf, which still accounts for half of NFL venues. Players view the upcoming FIFA‑driven grass installations as a preview of what they want across the league.

Half of the league’s 30 stadiums currently use synthetic surfaces, including MetLife, AT&T, and SoFi. Tretter warned that injury data shows turf rates flat while grass‑related injuries have risen, underscoring the need for measurable field standards. He urged the next collective bargaining agreement to include metrics that protect grass quality, especially when owners schedule concerts or monster‑truck events that degrade the playing surface.

The NFL and NFLPA signed a new surface‑selection model last year, obliging any team replacing its field for the 2026 season to meet approved criteria. By the 2028 season, all 32 venues must comply, mirroring FIFA’s grass‑only requirement for the World Cup matches at SoFi, Lumen and other sites. The push for premium grass now sits squarely in the next CBA negotiations.