World Cup 2026: Even the Pitch Is Patent Protected
The FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) World Cup is usually perceived as a celebration of sport, national pride, talent and unforgettable moments on the pitch. But behind the scenes, and sometimes quite literally on the pitch itself, the tournament is accompanied by a broad layer of intellectual property: from the visible broadcasting rights, marketing and branding ties, to player name, image, and likeness rights, to the less visible trademarks, registered designs and patents protecting cutting-edge technological advances in the match ball, officiating systems, player equipment, stadiums and the infrastructure of the game.
This article turns the spotlight to one of the most basic elements, often taken for granted: the pitch itself, and in particular, the grass playing surface.
FIFA mandates that 2026 World Cup matches are played on natural grass pitches. In response, many US stadiums have covered or removed their synthetic or hybrid turf fields, used for National Football League (NFL) games, replacing them with FIFA-approved temporary natural grass.
These temporary natural grass pitches are hybrid surfaces, composed of 95% natural grass and 5% artificial fibers, typically polymeric, stitched or woven into the grass for stability, alongside various underlying support systems.
At Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium), for example, one of the venues hosting 2026 World Cup matches, a temporary natural grass pitch is stacked on top of the NFL artificial turf field, with a layered structure to provide structural stability and water management. The temporary natural grass pitch includes the following layers, from top to bottom:
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- A natural grass layer of custom-grown sod, tailored specifically for the pitch.
- A base layer of sand.
- A separation layer of geotextile fabric, forming a barrier between the sand and the layers below.
- A support system based on the Permavoid® modular plastic system.
Similar pitches incorporating the Permavoid® support structure are installed at half of the sixteen World Cup venues, including New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium), Toronto Stadium (BMO Field), Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes Benz Stadium), and Houston Stadium (NRG Stadium). Atlanta and Houston are covered stadiums, which presented unique challenges, as the pitch sits inside an enclosed structure.
Among the patents covering the grass layer are two US Patents, Nos. 9,683,335 B2 and 10,151,070 B2, assigned to SISGrass B.V. of the Netherlands. These patents describe a mechanical stitching system that stitches artificial grass fibers vertically into the installed sod at variable, precise depths. The stitched fibers integrate with the natural grass roots without damaging them. The fibers reinforce the turf surface, prevent it from tearing, stabilize the roots, and improve water drainage.
The Permavoid® modular plastic system, which supports the upper layers, is protected by US Patent No. 9,986,693 B2. This patent covers a lightweight subfloor for drainage that disperses impact energy and provides a cushioning profile equivalent to a standard twelve-inch (30.48 cm) sand layer.
The Permavoid® trademark is registered in the US, Canada, Mexico, and the European Union.
Finally, US Patent No. 12,379,306 B2 covers a “Flex” surface tester developed at the University of Tennessee. The patent describes a system that simulates the acceleration and deceleration forces of a 76.3 kg player to test turf traction.
The grass on which tournament matches are played may at first glance seem like the simplest backdrop to the football experience, but in practice, the grass surface and its support system represent complex, protected technology. The combination of natural grass with artificial fiber reinforcement, support layers, drainage solutions, and stabilization systems reflects significant technological advancement that will spread from World Cup host stadiums to venues around the world.
Patent, registered design, and trademark protections will ensure that the developers of these technologies reap the benefits of their innovations.
