DLF Turf Varieties Selected for Major Football Tournament Venues in North America
As preparations continue for the international football tournament taking place across North America in summer 2026, advanced turf systems are playing an increasingly important role at several host venues. DLF turfgrass varieties have been selected as part of the playing surfaces at two stadiums set to host matches during the tournament: Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and BC Place in Vancouver.
The tournament, running from June 11 to July 19, 2026, will feature 48 teams and 104 matches across sixteen host cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Several stadiums are adapting or replacing existing surfaces to meet the demands of elite-level football, including conversions from artificial turf to natural grass.
In Mexico City, Estadio Azteca has transitioned to cool-season turf for the first time in the stadium’s history. Located 2,240 metres above sea level, the venue’s climate conditions favour cool-season grasses during the summer tournament period.
The playing surface includes the Champion GQ PRG perennial ryegrass blend featuring DLF varieties SR 4700, Aspiration, and Tetrasport 4 Turf, combined with Kentucky bluegrass varieties Sombrero and Granite. The stadium is scheduled to host five matches during the tournament, including the opening match on June 11.
In Vancouver, BC Place has installed a natural grass surface inside the indoor stadium, replacing its permanent artificial turf. The sod was grown by local producer Bos Sod Farms Inc. using a sod-on-plastic production system and installed over a 20 cm sand layer in May 2026.
The hybrid sod blend included DLF perennial ryegrass varieties Gator Cinco and SR 4700.
“Sod grown on plastic adds a different dimension,” said Bert Bos of Bos Sod Farms Inc. “The sod must be spoon-fed because nutrients can leak through perforations in the plastic and lead to uneven growth.”
Bos said DLF varieties were selected for their turf quality and wear tolerance.
“I was looking for a top NTEP variety for overall quality and high wear tolerance. SR4700 ranked very high and was among the top performers for wear tolerance.”
The projects in Mexico City and Vancouver highlight the growing importance of turfgrass breeding, stadium agronomy, and surface performance in elite international football.