The Week 7 matchup between the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium was marked by unexpected challenges on the field—but not the kind fans usually expect.
Players from both sides struggled with footing throughout the game, prompting widespread speculation about what was causing the surface at the iconic London venue to become so slippery. Now, the true reason behind the slick conditions has finally been uncovered, and it’s not what many had originally thought.
For much of the game, players were seen slipping, losing traction, and adjusting their cleats in an effort to find grip on the pitch. Fans watching from the stands and at home could see the difficulties in real-time, with several key plays disrupted by players losing their footing at crucial moments. Initially, many speculated that a combination of recent rain and the natural wear and tear on the field could be the culprits. However, the real cause was far more surprising.
It has now been revealed that the slipperiness of the pitch was caused by an aggressive treatment of the field just days before the game. Groundskeepers at Wembley had applied a heavy dose of a specialized grass treatment formula designed to promote strong root growth and durability in the turf.
However, the timing of the treatment—paired with unseasonably cool and damp weather—caused the surface to retain moisture, leaving it much slicker than anticipated on game day.
Sources close to the situation have confirmed that while the formula is commonly used to strengthen the grass in preparation for major events, the conditions under which it was applied caused an unforeseen impact on the surface’s playability. The combination of a saturated surface and the treatment led to the grass behaving more like a wet carpet than a high-performance sports field.
Patriots and Jaguars players alike had to adapt on the fly. Coaches instructed their players to adjust cleats for better traction, but even with the modifications, maintaining balance and speed became a challenge, impacting both offenses as they struggled to get into rhythm.
The unexpected field issues didn’t go unnoticed by the broadcast crew, who frequently commented on players slipping at key moments, and fans quickly took to social media to voice their concerns over the conditions at the iconic venue. Wembley Stadium, known for hosting high-profile events across various sports, has faced similar critiques in the past, but this incident stands out due to the extent to which it affected gameplay.
In response to the controversy, Wembley officials have stated that they will review the timing and application of field treatments going forward, ensuring that such issues don’t arise in future events. While the surface was playable, the slick conditions certainly added an extra layer of difficulty for both teams.
For the Patriots and Jaguars, the game will be remembered not just for the battle on the scoreboard but for the added challenge of battling the field beneath their feet.
And as the true cause of the slipperiness has come to light, it serves as a reminder that even the most carefully maintained fields can present unexpected hurdles in the world of professional sports.
