Patriots Forced Into Last-Minute Field Change Days Before Preseason Opener

['Maggie Mackenzie', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow', 'Class', 'Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus', 'Display Inline', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Where Img', 'Height Auto Max-Width', 'Vertical-Align Bottom .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Vertical-Align Middle .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar Is .Alignleft .Alignright'] Heavy Sports 2026-08-10 19:41:25

Just days before the New England Patriots kick off their preseason schedule against the Indianapolis Colts, Gillette Stadium is undergoing an unexpected makeover. The Patriots are replacing the stadium’s artificial playing surface after it was deemed noncompliant under NFL and NFL Players Association laboratory testing protocols, forcing a last-minute field change before Thursday night’s preseason opener. The original artificial turf was removed to make way for natural grass for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, before that grass was taken out and replaced with a new artificial surface following the tournament. Now, the team will install a new artificial turf field to meet compliance. The replacement is expected to be completed in time for kickoff, meaning the Patriots’ preseason opener will proceed as scheduled.