Gillette Stadium – stadium description

Where does Gillette Stadium get its name from?

The name Gillette Stadium comes from the American brand Gillette, a world-renowned manufacturer of razors and shaving accessories. The company, which belongs to The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G), acquired the stadium’s naming rights under a sponsorship deal announced in 2002, just before the venue opened. Gillette replaced the sponsor planned during the design phase—CMGI Field—because CMGI encountered financial difficulties after the dot-com bubble burst, preventing it from fulfilling the agreement.

Gillette Stadium was built as the new home of the New England Patriots (NFL) and New England Revolution (MLS), replacing the aging Foxboro Stadium. Although the financial details of the naming-rights contract have not been officially disclosed, U.S. media have often emphasized that it is a long-term agreement of significant value, intended to tie the Gillette brand closely to professional sport. In 2010, after Gillette became part of Procter & Gamble, the agreement was extended and the stadium’s name remained unchanged—further strengthening its recognition in the sports world.

The title sponsor also has historical ties to the Foxborough area and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as Gillette was founded and developed its business in that state. This gave the partnership a natural, local character—a global brand with strong roots in New England.

In summary, the venue bears the name Gillette Stadium as a result of a long-term sponsorship between the stadium owner—Kraft Group—and the Gillette brand, and is a classic example of the U.S. model of commercial naming for sports facilities.

Where is Gillette Stadium located?

Gillette Stadium is located in Foxborough (also spelled Foxboro), Massachusetts, United States. It lies about 35 kilometers (≈22 miles) south of Boston and roughly the same distance north of Providence, Rhode Island, placing it almost midway between two of New England’s major urban centers.

The stadium’s address is 1 Patriot Place, within the large Patriot Place entertainment and retail complex, which includes shops, restaurants, a hotel, a medical center, and the museum The Patriots Hall of Fame presented by Raytheon Technologies. The venue sits in a relatively quiet, suburban area away from dense urban fabric, which allows for the smooth organization of mass events.

Administratively, Foxborough is in Norfolk County, and the stadium is an important element of the region’s sporting and economic infrastructure. Although it is not in Boston proper, it is often associated with the city because it is home to the New England Patriots—one of the NFL’s most recognizable teams—and New England Revolution of Major League Soccer.

What is the capacity of Gillette Stadium?

The official capacity of Gillette Stadium is 65,878 for NFL games played by the New England Patriots. This is the standard configuration, featuring permanent two-tier stands encircling the field on all sides. As such, the venue ranks mid-pack in the NFL by capacity while still offering very good sightlines from most sections.

Depending on the event, the capacity can change. For major sporting events and concerts, additional seating is installed on the field, pushing attendance to over 70,000. For New England Revolution matches in MLS, usually only the lower bowl is opened to create a more compact, atmosphere-rich crowd. Thanks to this flexibility, Gillette Stadium adapts effectively to different sporting and entertainment needs.

When did Gillette Stadium open?

Gillette Stadium officially opened on September 9, 2002. Construction began in March 2000 and lasted just under two and a half years. The venue replaced the aging Foxboro Stadium, which no longer met NFL standards or the expectations of club owner Robert Kraft. The new Foxborough facility was designed as a modern sports arena with extensive commercial and business amenities, meeting the high standards of professional American football.

The first event held at the venue was a New England Revolution preseason match in May 2002, but the official opening date is tied to the start of the 2002 NFL season. On that day, the New England Patriots, then the reigning Super Bowl champions, played their first game at the new stadium against the Pittsburgh Steelers, winning 30–14. The opening of Gillette Stadium thus coincided with the beginning of the Patriots’ most successful era and launched one of the NFL’s most high-profile dynasties.

Who uses Gillette Stadium on a day-to-day basis?

Day to day, the main tenant of Gillette Stadium is the New England Patriots of the NFL. Owned by the Kraft family, the team has played all of its home games at the venue since it opened in 2002. For the Patriots, the Foxborough stadium is not only the center of game operations but also houses training and organizational facilities, forming a key component of one of the most decorated franchises in NFL history.

The second permanent tenant is New England Revolution, competing in Major League Soccer (MLS). The Revolution have played their home games here since 2002 and are among the league’s longest-standing clubs. The stadium also regularly hosts other sporting events, including college football games, international soccer matches, and numerous concerts and entertainment events staged within the surrounding Patriot Place complex.

What events have been held at Gillette Stadium?

Gillette Stadium has hosted many prestigious sporting and cultural events on both national and international stages. The venue regularly stages marquee NFL games, including numerous playoff matchups featuring the New England Patriots, who—during the Tom Brady and Bill Belichick era—made the stadium one of the most recognizable sports arenas in the U.S. It has also hosted AFC Championship Games, often decisive in the Patriots’ trips to the Super Bowl. In addition, Gillette Stadium has several times hosted NCAA championships at the FCS level and high-profile college football games.

The stadium also plays a major role in the history of soccer in the United States. It has been a frequent host of CONCACAF Gold Cup matches, including group stage games, quarter-finals, and semi-finals. It has staged U.S. men’s national team matches and international fixtures against teams such as Brazil, Spain, Portugal, and Mexico. Gillette Stadium was also among the hosts of Copa América Centenario 2016, staging both group matches and a quarter-final. Beyond sport, the venue regularly welcomes blockbuster concerts by global stars such as Taylor Swift, U2, Beyoncé, Metallica, and The Rolling Stones, making it one of North America’s most versatile arenas.

What does the architecture of Gillette Stadium look like?

Gillette Stadium was designed in a contemporary sports style that blends functionality with elements symbolizing New England tradition. The seating forms a closed, two-tier bowl with additional premium seating on a third level, and the steep rake delivers excellent sightlines from every seat. One of the venue’s most recognizable architectural features is a tower with an observation platform and a steel bridge inspired by Boston’s historic Zakim Bridge. This structure serves a symbolic role, referencing the identity of Massachusetts, and has become a signature of the stadium.

The stadium’s façade uses modern materials such as steel, glass, and concrete, lending it the rugged, industrial character typical of U.S. sports venues. On the Patriot Place side, commercial development is visually integrated with the stadium’s structure in a seamless, aesthetic way. Gillette Stadium does not have a full roof, but most seats in the upper sections are protected from the elements. The sports lighting and multimedia systems—including enormous LED displays—are integral to the structure, underscoring the venue’s modern, spectacle-ready character. Overall, the architecture combines functional simplicity with bold symbolic accents, giving the stadium a distinctive identity among NFL arenas.

What amenities and technological solutions does Gillette Stadium offer?

From its 2002 opening, Gillette Stadium was conceived as a modern facility with robust technology and a wide range of fan amenities. The stadium offers over 6,000 premium seats, including private suites and exclusive business clubs, making it one of the NFL’s leaders in commercial infrastructure. Numerous concession areas are distributed throughout the stands, and inside the venue there are conference rooms and event spaces used by the Kraft Group for business and corporate purposes. The stadium was also designed with full accessibility in mind, offering dedicated entrances, elevators, and seating for guests with disabilities.

Technologically, Gillette Stadium is considered among the most advanced sports venues in the U.S. It features a high-end sound system and modern LED video boards totaling over 1,000 square meters of display area, which were further enlarged and upgraded in 2023. The stadium provides free, high-capacity Wi-Fi capable of serving tens of thousands of users simultaneously, enabling digital services during games and events. Additional systems include advanced safety management with HD CCTV, electronic access control, and ticket scanners integrated with the mobile app. In recent years, the venue has expanded its digital ecosystem with cashless payments, dynamic information displays, and integration with the Patriots and Revolution club platforms, making it one of New England’s most modern stadiums.

How can you get to Gillette Stadium and what transport options are available?

Gillette Stadium sits in Foxborough, Massachusetts, in a corridor well connected to New England’s major cities. Driving is the most common option, as the stadium is close to major state and interstate highways. U.S. Route 1 provides direct access, linking Foxborough to Boston from the north and Providence from the south. Many fans arrive by car for games and concerts, and the Patriot Place complex offers extensive parking for tens of thousands of vehicles. Due to heavy event-day traffic, special logistics and traffic-management plans are implemented to streamline entry and exit.

The stadium is also served—though on a limited basis—by public transport. For select special events such as Patriots home games and some major concerts, MBTA Commuter Rail runs special trains from Boston and Providence directly to Foxboro Station, located next to the stadium. Outside event days, train service is less frequent and regular public transport in the immediate area is limited, so most fans use cars or private transport services such as taxis or ride-sharing apps. Even so, access to the stadium is relatively convenient for residents of Massachusetts and fans traveling from across New England.

What sporting events are held at Gillette Stadium?

Gillette Stadium is primarily the stage for National Football League action, hosting the New England Patriots. It was here that the Patriots celebrated the greatest triumphs of their dynasty in 2001–2019, making the stadium a symbol of NFL dominance. Regular-season and playoff games are held here, and the venue has frequently hosted the AFC Championship Game, deciding berths in the Super Bowl. The stadium also hosts selected college football events, including FCS championships and high-profile matchups involving northeastern universities.

The second sporting pillar at the venue is soccer. Since 2002, New England Revolution of MLS have played their home matches here. The stadium has hosted international soccer tournaments such as the CONCACAF Gold Cup, as well as U.S. national team fixtures. In 2016, it was among the arenas for Copa América Centenario, staging both group matches and a quarter-final. In recent years, the venue has more frequently hosted rugby events, including Major League Rugby fixtures and international test matches, further broadening its sporting profile.

Are concerts or other cultural events held at Gillette Stadium?

Gillette Stadium regularly stages concerts and large cultural events, making it one of New England’s premier entertainment venues. It has hosted the biggest stars in music, including Beyoncé, U2, Bruce Springsteen, Metallica, The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Ed Sheeran, and Taylor Swift, who played three sold-out shows there in 2023 as part of The Eras Tour. The venue consistently ranks among the top U.S. outdoor concert sites by ticket sales, with music events forming a major part of its commercial activity.

Beyond concerts, the stadium hosts numerous civic, cultural, and educational events—trade shows, charity functions, winter festivals, fireworks displays, and large corporate gatherings. Gillette Stadium also serves as a setting for patriotic ceremonies, such as military events and U.S. national holiday celebrations. Thanks to the surrounding Patriot Place complex, events are enhanced with additional attractions, reinforcing the venue’s role not only in sport but also as a cultural-entertainment hub for the entire region.

What attendance records have been set at Gillette Stadium?

Gillette Stadium has recorded multiple attendance records, underscoring its status as one of the nation’s premier event venues. The all-time high was set at an Ed Sheeran concert on July 1, 2023, when 71,723 fans filled the stadium. This set an absolute venue record, surpassing previous marks achieved by stars such as Taylor Swift and The Rolling Stones. High concert attendance is possible because field space can be used to exceed the venue’s nominal seating capacity.

For sporting events, the largest soccer crowd was recorded on April 27, 2024, when New England Revolution hosted Inter Miami in MLS, drawing 65,612 spectators. This was among the highest attendances in MLS history and a stadium record for non-NFL events. In American football, attendance records generally align with the official capacity and have been reached many times during NFL playoff games featuring the Patriots, especially in the club’s peak years. Such events regularly sold out, reflecting the Patriots’ immense popularity across New England. Gillette Stadium is therefore one of the most in-demand sports and entertainment venues in the United States.

Has Gillette Stadium undergone renovations or expansions?

Since opening in 2002, Gillette Stadium has undergone several modernization phases, the largest of which took place in 2022–2023. This was one of the most comprehensive renovation projects in NFL stadium history, aimed at updating the venue, improving fan comfort, and increasing functionality. The work focused primarily on the north end, where the seating layout and fan areas were completely reconfigured. A new, expansive viewing terrace with panoramic sightlines over the field was created, along with a distinctive tall tower with an illuminated beacon that now serves as a new visual landmark.

A key part of the renovation was the introduction of advanced technologies and an expanded multimedia infrastructure. The stadium installed the largest video board in its history—among the largest in the NFL. The project also enlarged VIP and hospitality areas, adding new suites and business spaces, including a large glazed atrium. Internal circulation was improved with a continuous concourse enabling a full stadium loop, and gates and the stadium’s surroundings were upgraded. Together, these works have aligned Gillette Stadium with contemporary functional and commercial standards, keeping it competitive on the map of American sports venues.