Patriots Replace Noncompliant Turf Ahead of Preseason Opener

The New England Patriots are in the process of replacing their recently installed Hellas turf field at Gillette Stadium with a compliant FieldTurf surface. This change comes after the Patriots and the MLS's Revolution opted for Hellas following the World Cup, only to discover that the field lacked the required shock-absorbing e-layer.

The removal of the noncompliant Hellas field began on Sunday, following the last Revolution game. FieldTurf is set to install the new surface by Thursday, in time for the Patriots' preseason opener against the Colts.

FieldTurf is highlighting the situation as a victory, noting that the absence of the e-layer is a critical requirement for NFL fields. Hellas's decision to forgo this feature has led to the swift replacement, emphasizing the importance of compliance in artificial turf installations.