Tahoma 31
Tahoma 31 is a proprietary bermudagrass cultivar bred for wear tolerance and cold hardiness, selected for the 2026 World Cup final pitch at MetLife Stadium.
Last refreshed: 11 May 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Why did FIFA choose an Oklahoma State grass cultivar for the World Cup final pitch?
Timeline for Tahoma 31
Six hundred rolls of grass and a Dutch grow light
2026 FIFA World Cup- What is Tahoma 31 grass and why was it chosen for the World Cup?
- Tahoma 31 is a bermudagrass cultivar developed at Oklahoma State University with exceptional wear tolerance and cold hardiness. It was chosen for MetLife Stadium's World Cup pitch — including the final — because it can withstand November NFL use and recover quickly from heavy traffic.Source: event
- What grass is being used for the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife?
- Tahoma 31, a proprietary bermudagrass cultivar bred at Oklahoma State University. 600 rolls were grown over 10 months at Carolina Green Turf Farm in North Carolina and installed at MetLife Stadium from 6 May 2026.Source: Lowdown
- Why was Tahoma 31 chosen for the World Cup?
- Tahoma 31 was chosen for its exceptional wear tolerance and cold hardiness — critical for MetLife Stadium, which hosts November NFL games in New Jersey. Its dense growth and rapid recovery from wear suit elite match play.Source: Lowdown
- When was Tahoma 31 grass developed?
- Tahoma 31 was first released in 2018, bred at Oklahoma State University. It gained rapid elite venue adoption after its release for its superior wear tolerance over standard bermudagrass.
Background
Tahoma 31 is a proprietary bermudagrass cultivar bred at Oklahoma State University and licensed commercially, selected as the turf for MetLife Stadium's 2026 World Cup playing surface including the final. Its key attributes are exceptional wear tolerance and cold hardiness compared to standard bermudagrass varieties, making it unusually suitable for a stadium that hosts November NFL games in New Jersey. 600 rolls were grown over ten months at Carolina Green Turf Farm outside Charlotte and installed at MetLife from 6 May 2026 in 20 truckloads.
Bermudagrass cultivars have become the standard for high-specification sports venues because of their dense, low-growing habit and rapid recovery from wear. Tahoma 31 was first released in 2018 and quickly gained adoption at elite venues. Its cold hardiness extends the viable playing season in climates like the US north-east, though it still requires management in marginal temperatures.
