Fans rave about NFL field conditions in Brazil as Packers and Eagles slip all over the field

Several concerns had been raised prior to the the NFL first international match of the 2024 season, but slippery pitch conditions were not at the top of the list.

The Philadelphia Eagles hosted the Green Bay Packers at the Neo Quimica Arena in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Friday night. Several players expressed concerns about safety in the lead-up to the match, but at kick-off the pitch appeared to be the biggest threat.

Players on both sides often dropped stitches in the early stages of drives, and that continued throughout the first half.

Starring back Saquon-Barkley, debuted for the Eagles, suffered a major accident on his first carry for Philadelphia, sliding for a loss of five yards. He eventually regained his footing and scored two touchdowns for Philly – hauling in an 18-yard pass from Jalen Hurts for his first score since parting ways with the New York Giants.

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Neo Quimica Arena before an NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers, Friday, September 6, 2024, in Sao Paulo. (AP photo/André Penner)

The Packers had quite a few missed tackles due to the slick conditions.

Quarterback Jordan Love narrowly avoided disaster with just over five minutes left in the first half when he slipped on 1st-and-10 and was nearly intercepted after throwing the ball to avoid a sack.

DeVonta Smith #6 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs after a catch during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Arena Corinthians on September 6, 2024 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Pedro Vilela/Pedro Vilela)

The fans at home were also unhappy with the conditions on the field.

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“If you’re going to fly players all the way to Brazil to play a football match, the pitch conditions have to be better than this. All it takes is one bad slip and it’s dangerous,” someone posted on X.

“I’d rather tear my ACL at MetLife than try to play soccer on the Brazilian field,” wrote another.

“Never again a game in Brazil @NFL. They are not made for this. I have seen 8-10 players eat s— just by slipping on the field. What a disaster.”

Detailed view of a Philadelphia Eagles player’s soccer cleats being cleaned during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Arena Corinthians on September 6, 2024 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Pedro Vilela/Pedro Vilela)

Former Houston Texans defensive end JJ Watt even joined the conversation to give a player’s perspective.

“Football fields are designed for speed and agility. Smaller bodies glide across the surface with minimal contact,” he wrote in a post on X. “They are not conditioned to have the size and strength of NFL players who cut, push and drive the entire game. This is common in international play.”

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Friday’s game will be the first-ever NFL game in Brazil. Neo Quimica Arena is home to Brazilian national football team SC Corinthians. The stadium previously hosted the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Jalen Hurts, #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles, runs during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Arena Corinthians on September 6, 2024 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Wagner Meier/Getty Images)

Before kickoff, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said he hopes for as many as 16 international games per season.

“The owner has already approved eight games,” he said. “I hope to get that to 16 at some point in the future. Let’s see how that goes.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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