Workers have begun tearing up the temporary grass pitch at B.C. Place Stadium just days after the final World Cup match in Vancouver. The Kentucky bluegrass and ryegrass sod, which hosted seven unforgettable games, will be composted and recycled rather than sold or donated to the public.
No souvenir grass for fans
Unlike the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where fans can purchase acrylic-encased grass chunks for US$450 to $3,000, Vancouver will offer no such mementos. PavCo, the crown corporation operating B.C. Place, confirmed that the grass will be sustainably composted, with 99% of organic material returned to B.C. soil.
“While we explored the possibility of a donation, the transportation requirements and long-term maintenance needs proved too complex and costly for a community organization to take on,” PavCo wrote in a statement. “This approach ensures the material is reused responsibly and supports a sustainable outcome.”
Time constraints prevent grass preservation
B.C. Place manager Chris May explained that the tight turnaround made it impossible to preserve or auction the grass. “It does sound like such an easy thing to do — just grab a piece of grass,” May said. “The biggest challenge with that is just how it’s built, and then how you kind of guarantee keeping it alive afterwards?”
The stadium has just 17 days to transition from FIFA to the B.C. Lions, including ripping up the grass and installing new artificial turf. The Lions and Whitecaps were evicted from B.C. Place during the World Cup and are eager to return. The Lions have played two road games and two “home games” in Kelowna, while the Whitecaps have played five road games since April 26.
New turf installation under way
The artificial turf underneath the World Cup grass is also being replaced on a three-year cycle, shorter than the previous five-year schedule. The Lions will return to B.C. Place on July 25 to host the Argonauts, and the Whitecaps will return on Aug. 1 against LAFC. The Whitecaps also played a Canadian Championship match at Swangard Stadium on July 10, winning 3-0 against Cavalry FC with goals from Thomas Müller, Brian White, and Rayan Elloumi.
MetLife Stadium offers pricey souvenirs
In contrast, the company KeepStub is selling World Cup final grass souvenirs from MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Prices range from US$450 for a basic acrylic block to US$3,000 for a top-tier package that includes a gold-etched finals ticket, replica ball, and crystal trophy. The company could earn over US$11 million if all tiers sell out.
May noted that MetLife’s longer timeline — the NFL Giants and Jets don’t start until September — allows for such sales. “There just isn’t a time to do everything we would love to do,” he said.
