THE HALFAX HEIMDALL AUGUR

One scientist's quest to grow the perfect World Cup grass | CNN Video Ad Feedback This Colorado farm grew the World Cup’s perfect pitch. 2:00 • Source: CNN This Colorado farm grew the World Cup’s perfect pitch. 2:00 Soccer See all topics Facebook Tweet Email Link Threads Link Copied! Follow Summary Turfgrass scientist John Trey Rogers has spent six years preparing the grass for the World Cup pitches. Using three species of grass, Rogers and his collaborators determined the best type, or combination, for each stadium. The process is complicated by the fact that five stadiums have domes, dramatically reducing the amount of sunlight available. AI-generated summary was reviewed by a CNN editor. When the World Cup starts next week, no one will be watching the pitch more closely than John Trey Rogers. The players will have their eyes on the ball; the referees will be studying the gameplay. Rogers will be focused on the grass beneath their feet. Rogers, professor of turfgrass research at Michigan State University, is the grass guru responsible for the quality and durability of the World Cup pitches at the tournament’s 16 venues in North America. “I’m more of a grass guy than a soccer guy…

The surprising science behind the 2026 World Cup grass | Scientific ... June 10, 2026 Add Us On Google Add SciAm Inside the high-stakes effort to bring natural grass to World Cup stadiums How scientists are engineering the perfect World Cup pitch—one so flawless that players never notice it By Rachel Feltman , Fonda Mwangi & Alex Sugiura FREDERIC J. BROWN / Getty Images SUBSCRIBE TO Science Quickly Apple | Spotify | YouTube | RSS Rachel Feltman: For Scientific American ’s Science Quickly , I’m Rachel Feltman. It’s no secret that most of us could do with going out and touching some grass. But for some scientists, touching grass is much more than a metaphor for logging off—and watching grass grow is anything but a waste of time. In fact, for people like today’s guest, grass—sorry, turf—is more, even, than a mere occupation. It’s a calling. While this passion for low-profile plants might strike many as strange, their work is about to have a huge impact on the most-watched sporting event in the world. On supporting science journalism If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing . By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure…

Inside a grass scientist's 6-year quest to grow World Cup stadium turf CNN-Other By CNN Published June 5, 2026 11:00 AM CNN By Katie Hunt, Jeremy Harlan, CNN (CNN) — When the World Cup starts next week, no one will be watching the pitch more closely than John Trey Rogers. The players will have their eyes on the ball; the referees will be studying the gameplay. Rogers will be focused on the grass beneath their feet. Rogers, professor of turfgrass research at Michigan State University, is the grass guru responsible for the quality and durability of the World Cup pitches at the tournament’s 16 venues in North America. “I’m more of a grass guy than a soccer guy,” he said. The World Cup, which begins June 11, will see 48 teams playing 104 matches across the United States, Mexico and Canada over the course of six weeks, with conditions spanning from southern heat and humidity to temperate, northern climates. The turf may not be top of mind for many fans, but it’s a critical component of the high-stakes tournament, as it affects the physics of the ball and players’ movements, and the likelihood of injury. While eight of the host stadiums are normally outfitted with artificial turf, and t…

One scientist's quest to grow the perfect World Cup grass | CNN Video Ad Feedback This Colorado farm grew the World Cup’s perfect pitch. 2:00 • Source: CNN This Colorado farm grew the World Cup’s perfect pitch. 2:00 Soccer See all topics Facebook Tweet Email Link Threads Link Copied! Follow Summary Turfgrass scientist John Trey Rogers has spent six years preparing the grass for the World Cup pitches. Using three species of grass, Rogers and his collaborators determined the best type, or combination, for each stadium. The process is complicated by the fact that five stadiums have domes, dramatically reducing the amount of sunlight available. AI-generated summary was reviewed by a CNN editor. When the World Cup starts next week, no one will be watching the pitch more closely than John Trey Rogers. The players will have their eyes on the ball; the referees will be studying the gameplay. Rogers will be focused on the grass beneath their feet. Rogers, professor of turfgrass research at Michigan State University, is the grass guru responsible for the quality and durability of the World Cup pitches at the tournament’s 16 venues in North America. “I’m more of a grass guy than a soccer guy…

Researchers work to make pitch-perfect turf for the 2026 World Cup WUSF Researchers work to make pitch-perfect turf for the 2026 World Cup By Sophia Saliby October 9, 2024 at 7:49 AM EDT In less than two years, one of the world's biggest sporting events will be held in North America. The United States, Mexico and Canada will host the 2026 World Cup holding games in 16 cities. Researchers have spent years making sure the grass in each venue will be in prime condition and will have a consistent feel for the world class athletes racing up and down the field. A history-making turf experiment In 1994, soccer fans attended the first ever FIFA World Cup tournament held on U.S. soil. The Pontiac Silverdome, outside of Detroit, Michigan, was one of nine venues for the event and it was the first time World Cup games were played indoors. Michigan State University researchers grew and brought in grass specifically for the stadium. John Sorochan was an undergrad at the time and helped with the history-making project. He says he remembers being nervous trying to drive his mower straight down the field because of the amount of eyes on him "We're mowing back and forth, I had to keep stopping to …

The Secrets of a Soccer-Turf Master John Sorochan, a turf scientist at the University of Tennessee, has led the yearslong, multimillion-dollar effort to develop perfect playing fields for the 2026 World Cup.

AT&T Stadium unveils World Cup grass field transformation - NBC 5 ... Arlington Inside the massive World Cup transformation happening at AT&T Stadium FIFA has replaced the Cowboys’ turf with a natural grass pitch ahead of nine World Cup matches in North Texas By Meredith Yeomans and Alicia Barrera • Published May 14, 2026 • Updated on May 15, 2026 at 8:46 am BOOKMARKER NBC Universal, Inc. FIFA has transformed AT&T Stadium with a natural grass field ahead of nine World Cup matches this summer. Officials say the new pitch includes underground irrigation systems and giant grow lights designed to keep the field match-ready. NBC 5’s Meredith Yeomans has more. AT&T Stadium looks dramatically different as FIFA prepares the venue for the 2026 World Cup. The artificial turf used for Dallas Cowboys games has been covered by a natural grass pitch ahead of nine World Cup matches scheduled at what FIFA will call “Dallas Stadium.” Watch NBC 5 free wherever you are WATCH HERE Journalists were given a first look Thursday at the transformation inside the stadium. “You’re looking at roughly 45,000 man-hours, 15,000 tons of materials hauled in,” stadium general manager Tod Martin said. Create a free…

2026 FIFA World Cup research creates pitch-perfect tournament turf SPORTS 2026 FIFA World Cup research creates pitch-perfect tournament turf Keenan Thomas Knoxville News Sentinel June 10, 2026, 4:18 p.m. ET As players run, kick and slide on the field during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, they'll be performing on a surface that should feel consistent across each North American host stadium following years of turfgrass research led by the University of Tennessee at Knoxville . UT, along with research partner Michigan State University, was tasked by FIFA to research and develop the perfect pitch for 104 matches hosted by 16 stadiums during the tournament, June 11-July 19. The goal is for the pitches − required by FIFA to be hybrid, with about 95% natural grass − to feel the same whether teams are playing in Mexico City, Miami or Vancouver. But consistency is not just about aesthetics and feel. It's also about player safety and fairness. While USA Today keeps everyone up to date with the latest 2026 World Cup news and standings, Knox News is the place for answers to all your turf questions throughout the tournament. How to watch the World Cup University of Tennessee's innovative World Cup t…

Inside a grass scientist's 6-year quest to grow World Cup stadium turf Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email FIFA picked Green Valley Turf in Platteville to grow natural grass turf for three of the sixteen World Cup sites. The challenge? The grass must grow indoors without direct sunlight. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save (CNN) — When the World Cup starts next week, no one will be watching the pitch more closely than John Trey Rogers. The players will have their eyes on the ball; the referees will be studying the gameplay. Rogers will be focused on the grass beneath their feet. Rogers, professor of turfgrass research at Michigan State University, is the grass guru responsible for the quality and durability of the World Cup pitches at the tournament’s 16 venues in North America. Close Inside a grass scientist’s 6-year quest to grow World Cup stadium turf “I’m more of a grass guy than a soccer guy,” he said. The World Cup, which begins June 11, will see 48 teams playing 104 matches across the United States, Mexico and Canada over the course of six weeks, with conditions spanning from south…