Tahoma 31, a warm‑season bermudagrass developed by researchers at Oklahoma State University, will provide the turf for the FIFA World Cup Final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The selection underscores a growing role for U.S. agricultural research in infrastructure for major international sporting events held on American soil.
OSU varieties on fields across the tournament
Of the tournament’s 16 host venues, three used Tahoma 31 during World Cup play. MetLife Stadium hosted eight matches on that variety, while Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, staged six and Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico, hosted four. In total, OSU‑developed bermudagrass was used for 28 of the 104 matches in this edition of the World Cup.
- Tahoma 31 is prized for its fine texture, dark color, density and tolerance to drought and shade.
- Its cold hardiness and wear resistance make it suitable for high‑traffic athletic fields.
- Earlier OSU varieties, such as NorthBridge, have also been used at major stadiums including Arrowhead and Estadio Akron.
Why the turf matters beyond aesthetics
Playing surface selection affects athlete performance, maintenance budgets and event logistics. Stadium operators choose varieties based on factors including wear recovery, climate adaptation and visual quality for television audiences. For a final watched by an expected global audience, the durability and appearance of the grass take on added importance.
“Seeing OSU‑developed Tahoma 31 bermudagrass being used for the world’s biggest stage in soccer reflects years of research, innovation and dedication by our faculty and scientists,” said Dr. Jayson Lusk, vice president and dean of OSU Agriculture.
The prominence of an American land‑grant university’s turf research on the World Cup pitch illustrates how agricultural science can find commercial application far beyond campus fields. It also highlights the international market for plant breeding and cultivar development tied to professional sports and large venues.
| Metric | Number |
|---|---|
| World Cup matches played on OSU bermudagrass | 28 |
| Total matches in tournament | 104 |
| Host venues using Tahoma 31 | 3 |
For American audiences, the story connects agricultural research funding and university extension work to tangible economic and reputational payoff. As global sports events increasingly demand specialized playing surfaces, universities that can produce resilient, broadcast‑ready turf stand to expand partnerships with municipalities and stadium operators both domestically and abroad.
OSU’s presence on the final’s playing surface also serves as a reminder that behind headline sports moments are technical and scientific decisions — from seed selection to maintenance regimes — that shape the conditions of play and the costs of staging international events.
