A stadium that has been a staple of the NFL, especially the AFC for the last 20 years in particular, the Gillette Stadium has seen some iconic performances from the greatest player in league history, Tom Brady. Since its opening in 2002, it has served as the host for two major franchise’s home games. The New England Patriots of the NFL and the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer. As a replacement to the Foxboro Stadium nearby, Gillette Stadium has quickly become one of the most recognizable in the entire National Football League. Occasionally, the Stadium also serves as a home base for the University of Massachusetts Minutemen Football Team.
New England Patriots Home Venue
Located in Foxborough, the Gillette Stadium is some 35km away from Boston and 29 km from Providence.
After an initial debut in 2002 for an MLS soccer game, the stadium officially opened on September 9th of that year with the Patriots unveiling their Super Bowl XXXVI banner. Due to the dot-com bust, the stadium saw a name change, going from CMGI Field to the present iteration.
The current deal that Gillette has with the Patriots, made official in 2010, extends till 2031, including naming rights to the home field. Extremely accessible via rail line, Gillette Stadium holds a unique record. Or, more accurately, the record pre-dates even the stadium, stretching all the way back to New England home games at Foxboro Stadium. Since 1994, the team has seen a sold-out crowd across every single match - whether it be preseason, regular season, or even the playoffs.
The stadium is a project of the Kraft Sports Group, itself a subsidiary of the Kraft Group, owned and operated by Robert Kraft.
Gillette Stadium Capacity
In a sports hallow like Massachusetts, the Gillette Stadium stands as a proud contributor to the state’s rich history. From a capacity standpoint, the stadium is one of the smaller stadiums in the NFL. As a soccer field, however, it has a 20,000 capacity that can be expanded based on needs.
Before the remodeling in 2014, the stadium’s capacity was at 68,756. However, the renovations saw that number see a slight dip, dropping to 65,878. However, the mammoth at 1 Patriot Place can hold larger numbers as well. During a concert by Ed Sheeran at the beginning of July 2023, Gillette housed more than seventy-one thousand people, 71,723 to be exact. That stands as the largest crowd ever inside the stadium, a record attendance that hasn’t been matched.
Gillette Stadium History
Even though Foxboro Stadium served as the home for the Patriots for about thirty years, from 1971 onwards, its mediocre capacity wasn't cutting it to the NFL standard. As a result, new stadium construction conversations began with many cities in the New England area pitching in their name for the location. Cities like Hartford and Boston all put in their bids but ultimately Kraft decided on a new stadium in South Boston. Eventually, they settled on Providence but the deal fell through and a new location was needed. After a strong bid from Hartford and an agreement by Kraft, the plan fell through leading to outrage from then-governor John G. Rowland. Eventually, the team decided to stay in Foxborough, leading to the construction of the Gillette Stadium. Kraft himself paid for 100% of the construction costs, a rarity in NFL circles.
The 68,000 seating capacity behemoth was revealed in early 2000, solidifying Boston as the only city to have each sports stadium be privately funded. A new road from U.S. Route 1 and a parking space increment for the additional fans were also constructed.
Gillette Stadium Construction and Cost
The design, by HOK Sport, took inspiration from Baltimore’s M&T Stadium which Robert was a big fan of. Further, Disneyland-like entrances were made mandatory. 200 designs were reportedly rejected before Kraft decided on one.
The entrance is famous for its lighthouse and a modeled version of the Longfellow Bridge. They became so iconic that they are now featured on the stadium’s logo. Even though the stadium was more traditional in its first 8 years or so, with smaller LED scoreboards and a video display at each field end, the entire concept saw a dramatic overhaul in 2010. Two new HD Daktronics video displays took over the previous setup, becoming the second-largest video monitor for any NFL stadium at the time.
After breaking ground in 2000, the nearly 68,000-strong stadium that included over 5,000 club seats and nearly 100 luxury suites was complete and ready to use in 2002 with a total cost of roughly $325 million, a figure that would look closer to $530 million in today’s market.
Gillette Stadium Seating Chart
What to bring to Gillette Stadium?
There is a long list of prohibited items not allowed at Gillette Stadium. But, there are some items that can be taken in after inspection.
Prohibited Items List
All food and beverage items, except a 20oz factory-sealed water bottle
Glass, metal, plastic thermos, cups, bottles, or flasks
Backpacks, fanny packs, belt bags, cinch bags, coolers and bags larger than permissible size
Helmets and hardhats
Weapons including guns, knives, etc.
Fireworks
Flammable Liquids
Noisemakers like air horns or bells
Boom Boxes
Video or professional cameras
Laser pointers of any type
Portable Heaters
Large Strollers
Floor mats and carpet squares
Seat cushions, especially ones with pockets, zippers, compartments, or covers
Sports balls
Permitted but after Inspection
Clear plastic bags with a maximum size of 12” by 6” by 12”
Clear fanny packs and backpacks are also allowed
One-gallon clear plastic zip-seal bags
Small clutch bags (max size:4.5” by 6.5”)
Small still cameras under 6” without a case
Binoculars without a case
Hand-held radios and TVs with earpieces
Blankets
Banners, signs, and flags (Max size: 3’ by 5’)
Small compact umbrellas (cannot be opened inside the stadium)
Water Bottle (Factory sealed, 20oz or less)
Breast pumps and supplies
Portable Chargers (Max size: 6” by 3” by 1.5” and need to be disconnected during inspection)
Seat Cushions without pockets, zippers, compartments, and covers
What is the parking cost at Gillette Stadium?
What stadium was the Patriots’ original home stadium in New England?
For their first run, from 1971 to 2001, the New England Patriots would use the Foxboro Stadium as their home field. It had an extremely small budget and its private funding led to very few amenities for fans, with aluminum seats that would freeze over and no organization to their dirt parking lot.
It couldn’t generate the necessary revenue and was falling into debt, with its 60,000 capacity barely qualifying for NFL standards and making it among the smallest stadiums in the league.
After two unsuccessful ownership changes and a Victory Tour in hopes of building up value, it became clear that a new stadium was essential. Hence, the conversation for Foxborough began.
FAQs
A. Gillette Stadium can hold 65,878 onlookers.
A. An Ed Sheeran concert in July 2023 set the record for the Gillette Stadium capacity, clocking in at 71,723 fans.
A. Barely above the NFL requirement, the Foxboro Stadium could hold 60,292 fans at maximum capacity.
A. Yes, the heating system allows the grass to be thawed during the cold months as a result of the water and glycol circulation.
