How Auburn is preparing Jordan-Hare Stadium for its first international soccer match

Jordan-Hare Stadium is world-renowned for hosting high-stakes college football, but this Tuesday, the 88,043-seat venue will undergo a dramatic transformation. Instead of the usual gridiron clash, the stadium will host its first-ever international soccer match.

A Global Stage on the Plains

The Argentina and Iceland national teams are set to square off in a high-profile friendly. For Argentina, this matchup serves as a critical final tune-up before the 2026 World Cup, which is hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Field Prep and FIFA Standards

Transitioning the field for soccer required precision. According to Auburn Director of Athletic Turf and Grounds Eric Kleypas, the playing surface will measure 72 yards wide and 115 yards long. Because of the stadium's naturally wide dimensions, the grounds crew was able to hit these FIFA-approved specs without needing extensive infrastructure modifications.

However, some physical changes were necessary. Hedges along the sidelines were removed—a move that was already on the horizon for future north endzone construction. On the west side, this clearing makes room for player benches and additional sod. On the east side, it facilitates the addition of 300 premium field-level seats.

Furthermore, new concrete pathways have been installed to assist with equipment logistics, as site traffic is being rerouted through the south end while construction persists on the north end of the stadium. In the corners, where extra sod was laid to accommodate corner kicks, Kleypas notes the stability is top-tier: "The sod comes on plastic, it’s two inches thick, it weighs about 17 pounds per square foot, so it’s very heavy, it’s not going anywhere. The second you lay it, it’s ready to play on."

An Auburn Flare for the Global Game

While the atmosphere will mirror major international soccer spectacles—complete with traditional walkouts and festivities—fans will also see a distinctly Auburn touch. Rhett Hobart, Auburn’s deputy athletic director for external affairs and chief revenue officer, confirmed that the iconic pregame eagle flight will remain a centerpiece of the event.

"When you have an event like this in Jordan-Hare, your mind immediately goes to making sure that you have all the event uniqueness," Hobart said. "We asked, ‘How would you feel about an eagle flight pregame?’ And they were all about it from the very beginning of the conversation."

The energy will extend beyond the stadium gates, with a fan zone, food trucks, and tailgating opportunities waiting for spectators. While the sport inside Jordan-Hare may look different this Tuesday, the expectation is that the intensity will match any legendary Saturday night in the fall.