- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,153,740
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
Gillette Stadium Makes Change For First Time In 20 Years For World Cup originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Gillette Stadium, which will be known as "Boston Stadium" for the duration of the FIFA World Cup, had to undergo major changes to prepare to host matches.
Gillette Stadium, typically home to the New England Patriots, is one of the 11 host stadiums in the United States for the World Cup. Scotland and Haiti will go head-to-head on Saturday in the first of seven matches held in Foxborough throughout the tournament.
Ahead of hosting World Cup matches, however, major changes were needed with the stadium, primarily with the playing surface. Gillette had a synthetic turf field, but will now have a grass field for the first time in 20 years for the World Cup.
"Ahead of Saturday’s opening match between Scotland and Haiti, World Cup organizers offered a sneak peek at some of the changes taking place around New England’s largest sporting venue," Boston.com's Conor Ryan wrote on Thursday. "Beyond the miles of temporary fencing, barriers, and checkpoints pockmarking both Boston Stadium and the miles of parking lots, shopping centers, and bars located straight off Route 1, one of the most noticeable changes is the revamped playing surface.
"For the first time in 20 years, Gillette Stadium has a grass field -- or pitch -- in place, as FIFA requires that every venue hosting international soccer have a grass surface."
Boston was not the only stadium in the United States that needed to be revamped with a grass field ahead of the international tournament.
"Of the 11 host stadiums in the US that will host FIFA World Cup matches over the next few months, seven of them have synthetic turf -- including Gillette Stadium," Ryan wrote. "Replacing that playing surface with grass has been a months-long undertaking by both FIFA and Gillette Stadium officials -- especially when it comes to battling the unpredictable spring weather in New England."
Transforming the field was a massive undertaking, but now Boston will host seven matches, including five group-stage matches, a Round of 32 knockout match and a quarterfinal match.
More NESN: Boston’s World Cup Volunteer Rollout Plan Has Felt ‘Amateurish’
Continue reading...
