Pieces of the playing surface from New York New Jersey Stadium, the venue for the 2026 World Cup final, are being offered for sale online. These collectibles, which are encased in resin, will be shipped to buyers after the final match on July 19. The sales are limited to customers in the U.S., UK, and Europe.
The acrylic casing for each piece of turf will feature the 2026 World Cup logo, the venue, the date of the final, and the match’s final score. An accompanying USB drive will contain an “authenticity film.” The items are produced by UK-based Keep Stub, which also offers additional versions of the collectible on its website.
Collectible Tiers and Revenue Potential
The pieces of the pitch are available across four pricing tiers. The initial offering, known as the “Foundation Edition,” is priced at $450. Higher tiers are available at $900, $1,200, and $3,000. Each of these four tiers is restricted to 2,026 pieces, emphasizing their limited availability.
The packaging and additional items included with the pitch pieces vary with each price increase. For the three lower tiers, the grass section measures 2.5″ x 2.5″ x 2.5″. The most premium option, the “Hero Edition,” priced at $3,000, includes a larger 3″ x 3″ x 3″ section of turf. This premium edition also comes with a gold-etched metal souvenir ticket, a miniature replica World Cup final ball, and a crystal-cut glass World Cup trophy.
If all available pieces across the four tiers are sold, the program could generate more than $11.2 million in revenue. This initiative highlights how sports organizations are transforming memorabilia into a significant business category, positioning licensed collectibles as a revenue stream alongside ticket sales, sponsorships, and broadcast rights.
Playing Surface Concerns and Precedent
The playing surface at New York New Jersey Stadium was sourced from a turf farm in North Carolina and installed in early May. However, the pitch has drawn criticism from players, including those from Brazil and France, who described it as dry and challenging to play on following earlier tournament matches.
Selling pieces of notable playing surfaces is a practice that has become more common in the sports collectibles market. For instance, Boise State sells sections of its blue turf American football field, with prices ranging from $40 for a small swatch to $25,000 for a 400-square-foot sheet that includes professional installation. Similarly, Major League Baseball offers small jars of dirt from Game 7 of the 2025 World Series at Rogers Centre for $50 each.
This is not the first time the organization has sold match-used turf. Following the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final, authenticated pieces of the field where Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain were auctioned. Earlier this week, Sotheby’s also auctioned two 4-by-8 sections of court used at Madison Square Garden for NBA Finals Games 3 and 4, with each selling for over $100,000.
The grass pieces are the latest in a series of high-priced collectibles offered for the tournament. In May, limited-edition host city jerseys were released, priced at $375 each. Despite only 999 of each of the 16 jerseys being produced, they remain available on the official website.
The sale of these pitch pieces will commence after the World Cup final on July 19.
Source: nytimes.com
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