About Gillette Stadium
The New England stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, is one of the largest NFL venues, with a seating capacity of over 64K. NFL's New England Patriots and MLS's New England Revolution have their home fields and administration offices here. Since opening its gates, the multi-purpose stadium has sold out every Patriot home game; season ticket holders occupy most seats. Similarly, Gillette Stadium parking sees high demand for pre-booked spots, leaving only limited options for day-of-game purchases.
Gillette Stadium is a popular destination for fans of all ages. It offers world-class amenities, including various food and beverage options, team stores, clubs, onsite parking, and more. The stadium hosts events throughout the year, including concerts, festivals, and special events in its annual calendar. If you are a football or soccer fan, catching a game at Gillette Stadium must be on your bucket list. It is one of the eleven venues hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches.
Gillette Stadium History
Gillette Stadium officially opened in 2002 to replace Foxboro Stadium. It is about 30 miles southwest of Boston and 25 miles northeast of Providence. A soccer game kicked off the event schedule with New England Revolution beating Dallas Burn 2-0 on May 11, 2002. The first concert was a WBCN River Rave on June 9, 2002, with Jeremiah Freed being the first band to perform at Gillette Stadium.
Before Gillette acquired the stadium's naming rights, it was briefly known as the CMGI Field. The name will remain the same until the Patriots' 2031 NFL season. The stadium construction was privately funded by Patriots and Revolution owner Robert Kraft. He still owns and operates the stadium through the Kraft Sports Group. The Patriots games, including preseason and playoffs, have been sold out at Gillette Stadium since moving in. Their sold-out games streak extends back to 1994 when they played at Foxboro Stadium.
Gillette Stadium Capacity
The 1.9 million sq. ft. stadium can officially seat up to 64,628 people. The Gillette Stadium seating capacity includes 5,876 club seats and 92 luxury suites. The stadium's Putnam Club offers members access to 120,000 sq. ft. of indoor space and premium outdoor seats between midfield and the 20-yard line.
As for parking at Gillette Stadium, over 16K spots are available onsite at the stadium's official lots. Overflow parking areas are also available near the stadium. Most of the official parking spots go to pre-booked season ticket holders on game days, just like the stadium seats. You may purchase game-of-day parking, but it's limited and expensive.
Gillette Stadium Seating Map
The stadium's seating map is divided into four main sections: the Lower Bowl, the Upper Bowl, the Club Level, and the Suites.
The Lower Bowl is the closest to the field, offering the best game views. The Upper Bowl behind the Lower Bowl is a more affordable option for fans. The Club Level is between the Lower Bowl and the Luxury Suites at the top of the stadium. ADA/Accessible seating is available at all levels, with enhanced sightline. You'll also find ADA parking spots in the stadium lots. The main concourse has all the visitor amenities and facilities for those seated on the 100 and 200 levels, while the 300-level seat holders can use the upper concourse.
Gillette Stadium seating and parking maps vary according to the event. Always check the official event page or the stadium website for up-to-date information. It will help you find the shortest route from the parking lots or gates to your seat.
Best Home Team Seats at Gillette Stadium
Most of the seats at Gillette Stadium go to Patriots season ticket holders. So, don't expect any upgrades if you want single-game tickets. Lower Bowl seats, near the 50-yard line, have the best views. They are also the most centrally located, making getting to and from the concourse easy.
The home team's sideline is below seating sections on the east side. Sections 109 and 110 are directly behind the Patriots' bench, while Sections 131 and 132 are behind the visiting team's bench. Sections 102-104 and 115-117 are closest to the sidelines. Avoid seats in the first ten rows of the Lower Bowl. The players' benches and field goalposts often obstruct these seats.
Gillette Stadium Gates
Gillette Stadium has ten main entrance gates, but not all are open to visitors. You can use the Patriot Place Gate on the stadium's east side, the UBid Gate on the west side, and the Bank of America Gate on the northwest corner, near the Patriot Place North retail shopping area. The gate on the stadium's south side is near PrimeSport VIP Club. Putnam Club entrances are on the east and west sides of the stadium, near the Putnam Club luxury seating area. There's another gate near the Founders Club luxury seating area.
Gate opening times vary for each event. For Patriot games, club, suite, and lounge access begin three hours before kick-off, and all other entry begins an hour later. Meanwhile, the stadium gates open one hour before Revolution games kick off; season ticket holders get 15 minutes of early access. The opening times and entry rules vary for all other events and concerts. Gillette Stadium parking lots typically open four hours before the Patriot games and two hours before the Revolution games.
Gillette Stadium Guide
Gillette Stadium is a great place to catch a game or concert. It has a variety of amenities and features that make it an enjoyable experience for fans of all ages.
- The Patriot Place is the 1.3 million sq. ft. area outside Gillette Stadium, offering shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences. It has 19 signature restaurants, including CBS Sporting Club and Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse.
- The stadium's iconic lighthouse is 218 feet tall, with 360-degree views of the neighborhood from its observation deck.
- Enel Plaza's grand staircase leads to the concourse, where you'll find concession stands, restrooms, and other amenities within the stadium.
- Gillette Stadium has a large curved-radius videoboard outdoors.
- The Bud Light Celebration Beer Hall offers 4K square feet of indoor space and 2K outdoor patio space.
- The Putnam Club stretches the stadium's length on both sides, with 120K square feet of space indoors and premiere seating outdoors, between the 20-yard line and midfield.
- Other communal spaces at the Gillette Stadium include DraftKings Sports Zone and the Commons on the Main Concourse, the Encore Boston Harbor Terrace, and the JetBlue Landings on the Upper Concourse.
Gillette Stadium Tips for Visitors
- Everyone attending Patriots home games at Gillette Stadium must have a ticket, irrespective of age. Children two and under do not need tickets for Revolution matches. The rules for other events vary.
- All events at Gillette Stadium use mobile ticketing; you can use the official stadium app to buy tickets. Re-entry is prohibited for Patriots and Revolution home games; rules vary for other events.
- On event days, Route One is the designated access to Gillette Stadium. You may face delays and road closures on other local streets.
- Gillette Stadium is accessible via MBTA's Providence/Stoughton and Franklin lines at Foxboro Station.
- Re-entry and refunds on official Gillette Stadium parking are unavailable. Game-of-day parking is limited; pre-book the available spots for the game or event. Free parking could be available for New England Revolution's regular season home games.
- Tailgating is allowed at Gillette Stadium parking lots, but no open flames. Oversized vehicle parking is free at Lot 52.
- The designated rideshare drop-off/pick-up and taxi pick-up zone is in Lot 15, next to the Bass Pro Shops. During concerts and other events, taxi pick-ups are from Lot 6A.
- EV charging is free at Enel X stations throughout Patriot Place.
FAQs
Is Gillette Stadium open-air?
Yes, Gillette Stadium is open-air. It does not have a roof or any other type of enclosure. However, some sections of the stadium have partial coverage, such as the Putnam Club and sections CL6 and 102-107.
How many fans does Gillette Stadium hold?
Gillette Stadium has an official seating capacity of 64,628 for NFL games. However, it can be expanded to accommodate up to 70,000 for special events. The stadium has 5,876 club seats and 92 luxury suites. The attendance record at a regular season NFL game is 69,104.
Can you take the T to Gillette Stadium?
Yes, you can take the T to Gillette Stadium. On game days, the MBTA Commuter Rail operates a special event train service to Gillette Stadium. Trains depart from South Station in Boston and Providence Station in Rhode Island.
What happens if it rains at Gillette Stadium?
Fans are encouraged to bring ponchos or raincoats to stay dry. Umbrellas are not allowed inside the stadium. If the rain is heavy or there is lightning, the game or concert may be delayed or postponed. Fans will be allowed to stay inside the stadium in case of delays.
What's the difference between club seats and regular seats?
Club seats offer a more luxurious and exclusive experience than regular seats but are typically much more expensive. They are also typically located closer to the field on the lower stadium level. Regular seats can be on any stadium level, but mostly on the upper level.
Are Gillette Stadium seats padded?
Yes, most seats at Gillette Stadium are padded. The only exception is the upper-level corner sections, which are not padded. They are durable and weather-resistant materials designed to provide comfort and support for fans of all sizes.
Where is the best place to sit at Gillette Stadium?
The best place to sit at Gillette Stadium depends on your budget and preferences. However, lower-level sideline seats are the closest to the action and offer the best views of the field. But they are also the most expensive seats in the stadium.