In 1994, Robert Kraft made a decision that made plenty of East Coast soccer fans happy: he changed the turf of Foxboro Stadium from synthetic grass to natural grass.
The goal at that time was for the Boston-area stadium to be more attractive and appealing to FIFA officials who were looking for venues in the U.S. to host the various games in that year’s World Cup.
Kraft’s effort to transform the Foxboro pitch was successful, and the location soon joined stadiums in California, Texas, and Florida in hosting that year’s various Cup events.
Now, he’s hoping to work the same magic three decades later. Kraft recently announced his intention to renovate the field at Gillette Stadium in an effort that includes adding actual grass with high hopes that the stadium will be considered as a venue in the 2026 World Cup.
Gillette Stadium replaced Foxboro in 2002 as the area’s leading sports stadium. Today, it is the home field for the New England Patriots, a championship NFL team, as well the New England Revolution soccer team.
Both teams are owned by the Kraft Group, a family-owned diversified holding company that includes professional sports teams, entertainment, real estate development, and paper and packaging manufacturing. The company includes more than 100 venture and private equity investments, as well as a philanthropic arm that contributes funding for medical research, religious groups, academic programs, and various charities.
Robert Kraft, the founder, chairman and CEO, formed the organization in 1988. Today, it also includes his sons Jonathan, company president, as well as Daniel and Josh who have other leadership roles.
Upgrades proposed at Gillette Stadium go beyond adding grass to the playing field. The proposal includes moving or getting rid of sideline seating and making more room for players, media, and security. The effort will also re-activate the infield irrigation system which hasn’t been needed.
Although removing some sideline seating will cut down on overall attendance figures, the condition of the pitch could even be more appealing to FIFA officials and be competitive with international standards.
If the effort proves successful and Gillette Stadium is chosen, it will be one of several North American locations that will be part of the 2026 game line-up.
Interestingly, the cup won’t just be in the U.S. for this game: FIFA officials are planning to select venues throughout North America for the scheduled 80 games.
This means cities in Canada and Mexico, such as Toronto and Edmonton to the north and Mexico City and Monterrey to the south, are also hoping to offer possible locations. In the U.S. there are currently 17 stadiums considered to be in the running, including New York’s MetLife, Washington D.C,’S FedEx, AT&T in Dallas, and the Rose Bowl in the Los Angeles area. FIFA officials have indicated that 11 U.S. venues are expected to be chosen.
Among the stadiums in consideration, Gillette Field is technically the oldest. But if the modifications are made to the turf and other areas, it will be the newest in terms of overall improvements and age of the grass.
Robert Kraft, who is the honorary chair of the 2026 World Cup United Bid Group, has spent time with FIFA officials this summer visiting the various venues as well as finalizing plans for Gillette Field. He was joined by Brian Bilello, president of the New England Revolution.
Being chosen as a cup venue could certainly be a coup for the selected cities. Not only will the games attract thousands of ticketholders who will spend plenty of money in local communities but it will command world-wide attention through TV and online outlets. Available sponsorship opportunities are also significant.
In 1994, more than 324,000 soccer fans attended the matches at Foxboro. That year also saw the highest attendance of all the World Cup years: 3.5 million.
At the time there were half as many teams—today, there are 48.
While Robert Kraft is certainly known for his involvement with the New England Patriots, he’s proud to be a soccer fan as well and has come to love what the World Cup represents: bringing the world together, at least every four years.
