Gillette Stadium

Gillette Stadium is a stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 28 miles (45 km) southwest of downtown Boston and 20 miles (32 km) northeast of downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for both the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL) and the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer (MLS). In 2012, it also became the home stadium for the football program of the University of Massachusetts (UMass), while on-campus Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium was undergoing renovations. Gillette will continue to host higher attended home games.

General information

Official website: https://www.gillettestadium.com/

Arena capacity: 65,878  spectators

Address: 1 Patriot Pl, Foxborough, MA 02035, USA

GPS coordinates for the navigator: 42°05′27.40″N 71°15′51.64″W

Year of construction: May 11, 2002

Construction cost: $453 million pounds

Field: FieldTurf lawn with dimensions of 120 yd × 53 1/3 yd

Seating plan of the Gillette Stadium

Features & Amenities

Located along the sidelines of the second tier of seating, the Putnam Club seats offer amazing sight lines to both ends of the field, an ideal viewing height, and good views from inside the club lounge as well.

Club ticket holders will benefit from the wide, plush, padded seats, and enjoy the convenience of a private entrance for less time spent waiting to get into the stadium. Flat screen HDTVs, video walls, and upscale food and beverage are all readily available to Putnam Club level ticket holders.

Best Seats for Kids and Family at Gillette Stadium

Our list of top recommendations for bringing the family to a football game at Gillette Stadium has a clear starting point thanks to two different designated family sections. Located on the second seating tier, sections 225 and 238 feature a strict no-alcohol policy which helps to promote a less rowdy atmosphere and gentler language from neighboring fans.

These second tier corner sections are very similar in regard to views, both having a comfortable angle to the center of the field from a very good viewing height. The entry tunnels are located near row 3, so we would advise searching in rows 12 and lower to keep your walk up and down the aisle at 10 rows or less.

If you prefer being on the lowest seating tier when bringing your crew to a football game, there are some excellent options located in all four corners of Gillette Stadium. The upper rows (34 and higher) of sections 102-104, 115-117, 124-126, and 137-139 are an ideal area for a family as you’ll never be more than 5 rows away from the concourse – eliminating any lengthy walks up and down the aisle.

But the best feature of these seats is the overhead coverage from the seating deck above, which will give you and your group some protection from the weather. If you’re little ones are Patriots fans, you’ll want to opt for sections 102-104 or 115-117 as these are closer to the home team sideline.

Also found on the lower seating tier, the upper rows of sections 118-122 deserve some consideration as well when searching for a good spot to bring your family. Rows 34 and above here will not have the same great overhead coverage that you’ll find in the lower level corner sections mentioned previously, however you do still have the shorter walks up and down the aisles (no more than 5 rows).

Views are incredibly comfortable as you simply look straight ahead to follow the action on the field and the videoboard above the far endzone. With the Optum Field Lounge located just below, there are just 20 rows of reserved seating in each of these sections, creating a smaller more comfortable atmosphere.

Finally, when searching for tickets for your family outing at Gillette Stadium, we recommend avoiding the upper portion (rows 8 and higher) of the 300 level sections whenever possible. These seats are very high up in the stadium, are exposed to the weather, and have very steep walkway aisles when moving between the seats and the concourse.

Best Seats for Impressing a Guest at Gillette Stadium

For an impressive spot at Gillette Stadium for a Patriots football game, look no further than the premium Putnam Club seats located near midfield on their own private seating deck. Not only will you have spectacular sideline oriented views from an absolutely perfect viewing height, but you also get the great perks that comes with being a club seat ticket holder.

The wider plush seats while watching the game are a very nice touch, and your guests are sure to appreciate the upscale environment of the luxurious club lounge which has top notch food and beverage options available for purchase.

Entry tunnels are located at the top of the sections, so you’ll just have to make a choice as to whether you prefer to have closer views in the lower rows, or shorter walks to and from the lounge in the upper rows. When searching for Putnam Club tickets, we recommend passing on sections 6, 13, 28, and 35 as the additional railings at the sides of these sections can create sub par views of the near endzone for select seats.

While you won’t get the same red carpet treatment on the lower seating tier, the highly sought after 50 yard line views in sections 109-110 and 131-132 are another great spot for providing a memorable outing. Opt for seating rows 20 and up where the seating height creates optimal views, and your guests will be amazed by the perfect positioning for taking in a football game.

Should the weather forecast be less than ideal, you can even find overhead coverage if you search further up in rows 34 and higher on the east sideline (sections 109 and 110). Pats fans will want to be in sections 109-110 where you are closer to the home team sideline, but if your guest is a supporter of the visiting team, opt instead for sections 131-132 on the west sideline.

One of the more unique options for an impressive gameday experience at Gillette Stadium is to purchase a pass to the Optum Field Lounge located just behind the south endzone. It is important to note that these passes will not get you entry into the stadium for the game (you still need to purchase a ticket elsewhere in the stadium!), however once inside the gates you can access this luxury lounge and stay for the whole the game if you desire.

The lounge features a climate controlled indoor space decked out with numerous TVs, bars, and premium food and beverage for purchase, or you can head to the outdoor terrace which is right at field level and just behind the endzone! The Optum Lounge Club passes are difficult to come by, and if you do happen to find one available for purchase, don’t be surprised by the expensive price tag.

Recommended Seats for Partying and Socializing

Sections 120, 121, 142 and 143:

• Communal area behind these seats underneath the scoreboard for socializing;
• Great view of the scoreboard in case you miss some of the action on the field.

Best Seats for Visiting Team Fans at Gillette Stadium

If you’re at Gillette Stadium to cheer on the visitors, one of the most popular spots is going to be behind the visiting team sideline on the lower seating tier. Sections 130-133 put you in prime position behind your favorite players, and also gives you good angles to both ends of the field. Sitting in the front rows will be an exciting choice as you’ll be closer to the team, however overall views of the field can be difficult due to the lower seating height.

Better views can be found in rows 20 and higher here, although as a result you will have to sacrifice being as close as possible to the players and coaches lining the edges of the field. The lack of an entry tunnel above section 131 (due to a press box) makes getting to and from seats there a bit more difficult, so if you prefer more convenience we recommend searching in sections 130, 132, or 133.

Another option which we advise supporters of the away team to consider are seats near the visiting team entry tunnel in sections 115 and 116. From here you get a great perspective of your players as they move between the field and the locker room during pre-game, half time, and after the last second ticks off the clock. Seats in section 116 do not extend all the way to the field, but will have you directly above the team tunnel.

If you prefer being a bit closer, section 115 runs along the side of the tunnel and all the way to the bottom of the lower seating tier. Hoping to get a high five from your favorite players as they move through the tunnel? Search section 115 for seat number 8 in rows 1-2 or seat number 9 in rows 3-5, and you’ll have the best chance by being right up against the side of the tunnel and close to field level.

While not as loaded with the more obvious attractions for a visiting team fan, we also recommend considering seats in sections 121-124 near the south west corner of the lower seating tier at Gillette. Tickets here will give you an intriguing viewing perspective right down the visiting team sideline, and also provides good angles to the iconic lighthouse and bridge above the north endzone. Opting for rows 29 and higher will leave you with a good viewing height, and also keep you close (no more than a 10 row walk) to a number of unique concession options located just above these south endzone seats.

Best Seats for Great Views of the Field at Gillette Stadium

Although many of the top rated views for football games at Gillette Stadium come from being near midfield, there are a number of other factors which fans would be wise to take into consideration when searching for tickets. Finding a balance between viewing height and proximity to the field is important here, as is knowing which spots have great natural angles and which spots have potential pitfalls.

Being on the lower seating tier is always a great option for feeling close to the action, however just as it can be said for many other stadiums across the NFL, Gillette does have some less than ideal views in the very front seating rows. If you prefer to be on the 100 level and want to ensure a fantastic view, we recommend searching in rows 20 and higher across sections 107-112 and 129-134.

The positioning between the 20 yard lines gives you those desirable sideline viewing angles, but more important is your seating height in the upper half of the section. Avoiding those lower rows allows you enough elevation to be able to see over the sidelines and have a clear view of the action on the field.

But if the lower level isn’t a must for you, and there’s a bit more money in the budget to spend on tickets, some of the best views in the house will be found on the second level in the Putnam Club sections near midfield. The viewing height from this seating deck is superb, allowing you to have phenomenal viewing angles to all areas of the field.

We recommend opting for Club sections 8-11 and 30-33 as these will have you in prime position between the 30 yard lines. Avoid the front two rows if possible as the safety railing can impact your view, and instead search stick to rows 3-12 where the views will be near unbeatable.

While the Putnam Club won’t be an option for all fans due to the higher price of a seat, you can still take advantage of that excellent viewing height in other non-premium seating sections on the second seating deck. Corner sections 203-204, 215-216, 225-26, and 237-238 are excellent spots to score a view not only due to the seating height, but also because of the angling of the seats themselves which have you pointed almost perfectly at midfield.

The corner perspective allows you to grasp the range of movement both from sideline to sideline and endzone to endzone, while also providing a good angle to the videoboard at the far end of the field. Again you’ll want to stick to rows 3-12 here (avoid the first two rows due to the safety railing in front), and also be sure to pass on sections 205, 214, 227, and 236 as there is an additional railing on the side that can cause obstructions in select seats.

Our last recommendation for a great view at Gillette Stadium are the seats in the last 10 rows of sections 118-122 above the south endzone. While you don’t get that desirable sideline viewing perspective, what you do have is an incredibly comfortable spot with straight away sight lines to both the field and videoboard (no head turning needed at all).

Being within 10 rows of the concourse also allows for quicker trips to and from the restrooms and concessions, leaving you more time in your seat to enjoy all the action on the field. As an additional bonus, these seats also have a very nice viewing angle to the stadium’s iconic lighthouse and bridge at the far endzone.

As a final note, we would urge fans looking for a spectacular view to avoid any of the seats on the upper 300 level. While they are certainly some of the most affordable seats, they are incredibly high up and far from the action, and there are also a number of spots on this upper seating tier where the safety railings and partition glass can impact your view.

Where to buy tickets?

Ticket Office Hours of Operation

1. Normal Hours: Monday – Friday, 9AM – 5PM.
2. Patriots Game Days: Four (4) hours prior to kickoff through halftime.
3. Revolution Game Days: Three (3) hours prior to kickoff through halftime.
4. Concerts: When parking lots open until the main act takes the stage.
5. Other Events: Times will vary. Review the Event Guide for the specific event you are interested in attending.

Ticket Office Location

The Ticket Office is located directly across from the ProShop.

Child Tickets

Patriots: All guests in attendance at Patriots home games require a ticket to gain entry into the stadium, regardless of age.

Revolution: For Revolution matches, children ages two (2) and under do not require a ticket. However, all other guests do.

Other Events: The policy for all other stadium events will vary. Please review the Event Guide for details regarding the specific event you are interested in attending.

Group Tickets

Patriots: There are currently no group tickets available for Patriots home games.

Revolution: There are a variety of group ticket options for Revolution home matches. For more information about Revolution Group Packages you may visit revolutionsoccer.net/tickets/group-tickets.

Mobile Tickets

Patriots: Mobile ticketing is enabled for Patriots home games for Patriots Season Ticket Members and those who purchased tickets directly through Ticketmaster, the New England Patriots, or their agents. Mobile tickets can be scanned through the Gillette Stadium app on iPhone and Android devices.

Revolution: Mobile ticketing for Season Members and Multi-Game Package Holders at Revolution home matches is enabled via the Revolution Account Manager. Mobile ticketing is also enabled for guests who have purchased tickets on www.ticketmaster.com as well.

Concerts: Not all concerts at Gillette Stadium accept mobile tickets. We recommend you always check the respective Event Guide.

For Gillette Stadium concerts that do accept mobile tickets, it is enabled for tickets purchased directly through Ticketmaster, Gillette Stadium, or their agents. Mobile tickets can be scanned through the Gillette Stadium app on iPhone and Android devices.

How to get there?

Gillette Stadium is located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 29 miles southwest of downtown Boston and 25 miles northeast of downtown Providence, Rhode Island. Use the Google Map above to get custom driving directions to the stadium.

From Boston

From I-93 South (S.E. Expressway) take Exit 1 to merge onto I-95 South (Providence). Take Exit 9 onto Route 1 South. Follow Route 1 South approximately 3 miles to Gillette Stadium, which will be on the left.

From Cape Cod

From I- 495 North take Exit 14A onto Route 1 North. Follow Route 1 North approximately 4 miles to Gillette Stadium, which will be on the right.

From Maine, New Hampshire

Take I-128 South to I-95 South. Take Exit 9 onto Route 1 South. Follow Route 1 South approximately 3 miles to Gillette Stadium, which will be on the left.

From Northern Connecticut, Vermont, Upstate New York

Take I-90 East (Massachusetts Turnpike) to I-495 South. Take Exit 14A onto Route 1 North. Follow Route 1 North approximately 4 miles to Gillette Stadium, which will be on the right.

From Southern Connecticut, Rhode Island

Take I-95 North to I-495 North. Take Exit 14A onto Route 1 North. Follow Route 1 North approximately 4 miles to Gillette Stadium, which will be on the right.

Parking

Gillette Stadium strives to make your visit as safe and efficient as possible. Knowing how to get to the stadium, where to park, and other valuable parking information will improve your experience and the experience of your fellow fans on event day.

Parking Lot Rules & Restrictions

To provide all visitors with a safe and enjoyable visit to Gillette Stadium, the following parking lot rules and restrictions apply on event days:

• Visitors must be in possession of a valid ticket to that day’s event to gain access to parking lots.
• Parking license is limited solely to the purpose of parking your vehicle on our property to gain entry to Gillette Stadium. Each paid license entitles the licensee to occupy one parking space.
• Solicitation, commercial or otherwise, by anyone for any purpose is expressly prohibited.
• Sale of any food, beverage or other items in Gillette Stadium parking lots, either prepaid or walk-up, without obtaining prior written approval of stadium management is expressly prohibited.
• Visitors must follow the directions given by the parking attendants and park within the space they designate for your use.
• Spaces cannot be held for vehicles arriving at a later time.
• Vehicles cannot be pulled into drive aisles after they are parked.

Failure to abide by these rules and restrictions will result in the immediate revocation of the individual’s parking license, the individual will be escorted from the property, the vehicle will be towed at the owner’s expense, and such conduct may result in the loss of Season Ticket Member privileges if applicable.

Bus/Limo/RVs

Oversize vehicle parking is located in Lot 52, accessible from P10 North and P10 South from the north and south respectively.

Please note: for Revolution games, if P10 is not open, we will accommodate oversize vehicles in the back of Lot 20 from the South or Lot 3C from the North.

Designated Driver Program

At Patriots and Revolution games, guests wishing to participate in Designated Driver Program should visit one of the stand-alone branded booths located inside the stadium gates, or one of the Guest Service booths located at midfield on both the east and west sides of the Main and Upper Concourses. As a Designated Driver you will receive one free soda in the stadium and free soda at Patriot Place restaurants in addition to other potential prizes.

Drop-off/Pick-up Locations

Drop off/pick up of event-goers on Route 1 is against the law. If you are dropping off or picking up event attendees, please follow signage to our rideshare lot, Lot 15.

Please note: limos and town cars are not allowed to drop off/pick up at the stadium. They are required to park on site and wait for their party. SUV-type limos and town cars should park in a general parking spot ($40), all other Limo parking spots ($150).

Patriot Place Retail Parking

1. Patriots and Concerts. Dedicated retail parking lots have been established for customers of Patriot Place who are not attending the game or concert. Parking in these lots is free provided you follow the rules and regulations. Each customer will receive a copy of these rules as they enter these parking lots. Anyone attending a game/concert will still need to park in the general parking lots, even if shopping while on site. To access the stores in the South Marketplace of Patriot Place please use the P9 entrance. To access the stores in the North Marketplace please use the P6 entrance.
2. Parking lots dedicated to retail parking during Revolution matches are lot 23, 3A, 12, 13, 14 and 15. Anyone attending the match will still need to park in the general parking lots, even if shopping while on site. To access the stores in the South Marketplace of Patriot Place please use the P9 entrance. To access the stores in the North Marketplace please use the P6 entrance.

Tailgating Policy

Tailgating in general parking lots may begin when the lots open to general parking unless directed by parking/security or public safety officials. However, open fires are not allowed. All fires must be contained within a suitable and appropriate fire burning device and must be movable in the event of an emergency. “Fire pits” with open flames are not considered movable in the event of an emergency, and therefore are not allowed. All fires and/or grills should not be left unattended. Used charcoal briquettes and/or other burning material must be disposed of properly and not left on the parking surface to burn out.

Transportation

MBTA

The MBTA offers train service from Boston and Providence to Patriots home games.  Tickets can be purchased in advance via the MBTA mTicket app for iOS and Android. Simply visit your App Store, search for “MBTA mTicket” and download. Once downloaded, tap Buy Tickets, select your station(s) and click buy. Your train ticket will then be displayed on your phone. You may also visit the MBTA website for more information. Unfortunately, there is no public transportation offered for Revolution games at this time.

The MBTA offers train service for select Gillette Stadium events. Please review the Event Guide for the specific event you are interested in attending or the MBTA website’s Gillette Stadium Schedule for Patriots games. Or, follow twitter.com/GilletteStadium for up-to-date information on any given stadium event.

MBTA Commuter Rail Service

Beginning in May 2019, the MBTA and Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will offer weekday commuter rail service from Patriot Place-Foxborough Station at Gillette Stadium to Boston’s South Station as part of an 11-month pilot program.

The service will provide three peak morning trains traveling from Foxborough to South Station, three peak evening trains traveling from South Station to Foxborough and one midday train. While a schedule has not been released yet, MassDOT and the MBTA have determined trains will be provided within the existing Fairmount Line schedule.

The trains will not travel further south in Foxborough beyond Patriot Place and Gillette Stadium and will not travel across any grade crossings.

Uber

Gillette Stadium is serviced by Uber. The Uber pickup location is in lot 15 by Bass Pro Shops. Learn more at Uber.

Taxi

Taxi pick up for Patriots games is located in Lot 23. For concerts and other events, taxi pickup is in Lot 6A.

Hotels

Whether you’re visiting Foxborough for leisure, business, or an event, you’ll find everything you need at one of the two on-site hotels both just steps away from Gillette Stadium.

Renaissance Boston Patriot Place Hotel

The Renaissance Boston Patriot Place is the premier luxury hotel in Foxborough MA, a contemporary-style retreat with a sophisticated sense of design and comfort. Indulge in the eclectic menu of Twenty8 Food & Spirits restaurant and revitalize in the modern fitness center and indoor pool.

The Hilton Garden Inn Foxborough/Patriot Place

The Hilton Garden Inn Foxborough/Patriot Place features stylish guest rooms with a microwave, mini-fridge and 49-inch HDTV and complimentary WiFi. The Hilton Garden Inn also offers a business center, fitness center and heated indoor pool and outdoor patio.

Where to eat?

If you haven’t eaten your fill at Gillette Stadium’s countless tailgate parties or the numerous restaurants at Patriot Place, you will find much to choose from at Gillette’s 46 permanent and 60 portable concession stands.

While Gillette Stadium lacks a signature concession item and has not joined other venues in adding gargantuan or off the wall items to its menu, there are plenty of quality food choices available here.

All your arena standards can be found, from burgers and hot dogs to sausage sandwiches, pizzas and chicken tenders. We recommend heading to the Backyard Barbeque or Smokehouse Grill stands, where beef brisket, pork ribs, and pulled pork and chicken sandwiches dot the menu.

Fans looking for healthier alternatives should check out the Market Fresh Deli stand, where a selection of salads, wraps and deli sandwiches are available, along with fresh fruit and vegetables. Another soilid option is the Local Street Kitchen, which serves up locally sourced gourmet burgers, specialty sandwiches, mixed greens and street tacos.

Pepsi products are featured at Gillette Stadium. This being New England, Dunkin’ Donuts coffee is a big seller, both in iced and hot versions.

Fans looking for an adult beverage can find a wide selection of beer, wine and mixed drinks at both the permanent stands and portable carts that line both concourses.

Each concession stand features a different brand, so you may need to do a little searching to find your favorite brew. Thirsty Patriots fans looking for a craft brew should head to the Draft Kings Fantasy Sports Zone on the 100 level or the Local Pub on the 300 level, where local favorites from Harpoon Brewery, Sam Adams, Wachusett, Jack’s Abby, Fiddlehead and Little Cranky are featured. Draft beer prices top out at $12 for a 22 ounce cup.

Whether you are a fan of Gillette Stadium’s concessions or not, you can feel safe eating here. A recent study of food safety conducted by ESPN found no food safety violations at the venue. Gillette regularly lands at or near the top of any national food safety rankings.

Atmosphere

One of Gillette Stadium’s strengths is the amount and variety of standing room and social gathering areas. Union Point, the Bud Light Party Deck and Draft Kings Fantasy Sports Zone give fans places to hang out and enjoy some food and beverages while still enjoying great views of the action during the game.

The typical football fan may not think of Foxboro as a tailgating hot spot, but the fans at Gillette Stadium can hang with the best of them when it comes to partying before the game. Gillette Stadium’s suburban location actually works in its favor when it comes to pregame festivities. There is lots of room around the stadium for, well, lots. Cars line up along Route 1 long before parking lots open (four hours before kickoff) to reserve their favorite spots.

Several in-game traditions have developed at Gillette Stadium over the years, most notably the presence of the End Zone Militia, a group of local fans dressed in colonial garb who fire muskets after every Patriots score. The intricate pregame show, which includes the entire team taking the field to Carmina Burana, followed by Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” and AC-DC’s “For Those About to Rock” (featuring a 21 gun salute from the End Zone Militia) before the opening kickoff never fails to whip the crowd into a frenzy. Of course, there is the obligatory “that’s another Patriots…FIRST DOWN” chants and foghorns that blare on every defensive third down.

If tailgating isn’t your thing, the shops and restaurants at Patriot Place ensure that there will be something to do before or after a game in Foxboro for just about everyone.

Neighborhood

Any long time Patriots fan can tell you what a wasteland the area around Gillette used to be. That began to change in 2006 with the development of Patriot Place, an open air shopping center and entertainment venue located on the former site of Schaefer Stadium.

If tailgating isn’t your thing, Patriot Place offers great variety in its dozens of restaurants. Choices range from the upscale (Davio’s Steakhouse, Twenty 8 Food and Spirits), to fast food (Red Robin, Five Guys Burgers), from American fare (CBS Scene, Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill), and fine seafood (Skipjacks, Blue Fin Lounge), to sports bars and night clubs (Bar Louie, Scorpion Bar).

If you would like to enjoy some shopping before the game, the stores at Patriot Place offer a surprising variety of options.

In addition to the dozens of shops here, the Showcase Cinema de Lux shows first run movies, Showcase Live contains a 16,000 square foot concert hall, and Splitsville is a combination bowling alley/restaurant/night club.

The days of having to fight the traffic immediately after the end of the game in Foxboro are a distant memory. In fact, many fans head over to Patriot Place after the game to let some of the legendary Route 1 traffic lessen.

Fans

Critics of the game day experience at Gillette Stadium say that the fans of the Patriots have become spoiled by success, that the stadium is too quiet, that the fans here sit on their hands for large parts of the game, and that the corporate types in the fancy red club seats spend too much time inside the Putnam Club and not enough time outside watching the game.

These criticisms all have some merit to them, but consider this: The Patriots have sold out EVERY GAME ever played at Gillette Stadium. In fact, the team’s sellout streak dates all the way back to 1994, long before Tom Brady stepped under center and Bill Belichick patrolled the sidelines. The Patriots’ sellout streak started during the days of Drew Bledsoe, Bill Parcells and Foxboro Stadium. The Patriots now have over 50,000 people on their season ticket waiting list.

While Gillette Stadium can’t rival other NFL venues in terms of noise level, Patriots fans come out to support their team in impressive numbers. The days when the Patriots were rumored to be heading to St. Louis, Seattle, Tampa, Memphis, Jacksonville, Birmingham, Hartford, or Providence are long gone.

History

Location discussions

During a news conference, the team revealed plans to build a new stadium in Foxborough, keeping the team in Massachusetts. It was to be funded by the state as well as Kraft himself. This plan brought more competition from Connecticut, as a $1 billion plan to renovate an area of Hartford, including building a stadium. Kraft then signed an agreement to move the team to Hartford. The proposed stadium included 68,000 seats, 60 luxury boxes, and had a projected cost of $375 million.

As before in Boston and Providence, construction of the stadium was challenged by the residents. Problems with the site were discovered, and an agreement could not be reached regarding the details of the stadium. The entire plan eventually fell through, enraging then Connecticut governor John G. Rowland, who lobbied hard for the stadium and spent weeks deliberating with Robert Kraft. Rowland announced at a press conference that he was officially “a New York Jets fan, now and probably forever”.

And the team then officially announced that it would remain in Foxborough, which led to Gillette Stadium’s construction. After the Hartford proposal fell through, Robert Kraft paid for 100% of the construction costs, a rare instance of an NFL owner privately financing the construction of a stadium.

Design

The team revealed plans for the new stadium in Foxborough. It was announced as a 68,000-seat stadium at a cost of $325 million, with the entire cost privately funded. Boston is thus the only city in professional sports in which all facilities are privately owned and operated. The Patriots own Gillette Stadium, the Red Sox own Fenway Park, and TD Garden is owned by Delaware North (the owner of the Bruins) (the Celtics rent the TD Garden from Delaware North).

Concurrently announced was a new road to access the stadium from U.S. Route 1, and additional 3,000 parking spaces to accommodate the increased number of fans.

The stadium was designed by HOK Sport (now Populous). Kraft wanted it modeled on M&T Bank Stadium which had opened in Baltimore. Kraft insisted on it having a “front door” with a Disneyland-like entrance. Populous went through 200 designs before coming up with one that Kraft liked. The entrance includes a lighthouse (which was originally designed to shoot a light 2 miles (3.2 km) high) and a bridge modeled on Boston’s Longfellow Bridge. The lighthouse and bridge are now featured on the stadium’s logo.

For the first eight years of its existence the stadium used a video display, with a smaller LED scoreboard just beneath it, at each end of the field. The south side also had a large LED scoreboard in addition to the smaller one. In 2010, the stadium installed two new high definition Daktronics video displays to replace the entire previous setup at both ends. At the time of their construction, the larger screen, at 41.5 feet tall and 164 feet wide (12.6 m x 50.0 m), was the second-largest video monitor in any NFL stadium; only AT&T Stadium had a larger one.

Gillette Stadium ranks first among all NFL venues in stadium food safety with a 0% critical violations. The Gillette Stadium food service, instead of being outsourced like most NFL teams, is run in-house and is led by the Patriots executive director of foods and beverage David Wheeler.