A Visitor’s Guide To Attending New England Patriots Games At Gillette Stadium

Written By Dan Holmes on August 2, 2023 - Last Updated on October 7, 2024
A full fan guide for attending Patriots games at Gillette Stadium, from playma.com

If you are planning on attending a New England Patriots game at Gillette Stadium this season, PlayMA has you covered.

This guide has everything you need to know about getting to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough for a Patriots game during the 2024-25 season.

Getting to Gillette Stadium

Now that Massachusetts sports betting is legal, NFL game days should be spent betting on the Patriots rather than finding your way to the game.

When planning your trip to Gillette Stadium, it’s important to know the best way to get there ahead of time. Here are some options:

Driving from Boston

Gillette Stadium is located at 1 Patriot Place, Foxborough, Massachusetts. It’s about a 28 mile drive from the heart of Boston to Foxborough, which is south and west of the city. There are several highways that can get you there: I-90, I-95 and onto I-95S.

Before starting your journey, check traffic on your smart phone or the local news to choose the best route on your game day.

Oh, and remember, New England has its share of slang terms. In Boston, a roundabout is called a “rotary,” so don’t be confused when you encounter one on the way to the stadium.

Also, try not to be a “Masshole,” which is what locals call a bad driver.

By train from Boston

Patriots fans have a special transportation option that not every NFL team offers: an exclusive train from Boston for ticketed fans. It’s called the Gillette Stadium Train, or Patriot Train.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority offers the Patriot Train traveling north to south, from Boston’s South Station, Back Bay Station or Dedham Corporate Station. The train will take you to Gillette Stadium for any preseason or regular season home game.

By train from south of Foxborough

Fans coming from south of Foxborough can catch the northbound Patriot Train at TF Green Airport. This trek includes stops at Providence, South Attleboro and Mansfield.

No matter where you decide to catch the Patriot Train, it’s a good call to arrive early in order to purchase tickets for the journey. Tickets cost $20 from the MBTA.

Parking at Gillette Stadium

The parking lots at Gillette Stadium open four hours prior to kickoff.

You can tailgate in the parking lots, but no open flames are allowed. And of course, underage drinking is not permitted. Parking rangers patrol the lots before, during and after the games.

For day games, lots will remain open for two hours following the conclusion of the game. For night games, lots close immediately after the game.

There are some free parking areas, so check the maps before heading to Gillette. You can also subscribe to a parking plan, which is perfect for season ticket holders. Keep in mind that large vehicles (anything over an extended van) are not allowed to park at NFL lots for games.

Selecting your seats

There are many excellent seating options to choose from when going to watch the Pats at Gillette Stadium. In fact, the stadium will be even better this season, as the facility is undergoing a major $225 million renovation project.

When entering the stadium, it is important to know that there are three main gates, each named for a different team sponsor: Ticketmaster Gate (North corner), Bank of America Gate (NW corner) and CVS Health Gate (SW corner).

Gillette Stadium has a capacity of 68,878, and there might not be a bad seat in the house.

Lower level sideline seats

The most popular sections with Patriots fans are sideline seating areas at the lower level.

These sections are close to the field of play and give fans a unique perspective of the action.

Putnam Club

The Putnam Club is a VIP lounge seating area at Gillette Stadium. The space features floor-to-ceiling windows looking out toward the Patriots’ bench, above the sideline seating sections.

According to the Patriots front office, single-seat tickets in the Putnam Club start at $4,750 per seat, per season (for seats between the 30- and 40-yard lines), and $3,750 per seat, per season (between the 20- and 30-yard lines).

Using a private entrance only available for members, Putnam Club level seating is open 75 minutes before kickoff, at which time you can take advantage of food and beverage services. That service extends until the last five minutes of regulation for an NFL game.

The Putnam Club is great for those months when the weather gets chilly in New England, because you are tucked away in a comfy, cozy and warm space.

The seating areas of the Putnam Club are designated CL6 to CL13 and CL28 to CL35.

ADA accessible seating

Gillette Stadium aims to meet the needs of all fans. To help fans have a better game day experience, Gillette Stadium provides wheelchair and companion seating on every level of the stadium and at all price points.

To purchase one of the accessible seating options, call the ticket office at (508) 384-9191. You can also find accessible seating options on Ticketmaster by toggling the “Accessibility” feature when buying your tickets.

If you have any further questions related to accessible seating, you can email [email protected].

Accessible parking

In addition to accessible seating, Gillette Stadium also offers plenty of accessible parking options.

Gillette Stadium’s licensed ADA parking spaces are located in Lot 4A and Lot 22. Overflow ADA parking spaces are located in Lot 3A and Lot 20B.

Access to all ADA parking spaces at Gillette Stadium is restricted to patrons with a valid state issued ADA parking placard or license plate.

If you do not have this documentation but have mobility issues and wish to use accessible parking spaces, it is best to enter through the P7 or P2 entrances. Once there, tell the cashier or usher that you require close parking. They will do their best to accommodate you, but your options are subject to availability.

If you have further questions about ADA parking at Gillette Stadium you can reach out to [email protected].

Best food at Gillette Stadium

If that latest defensive stop by the vaunted Pats’ defense leaves your mouth watering, you won’t have to go far to pass something across your taste buds. Gillette Stadium has 60 concession or restaurant/food service options.

From hot dogs to smash burgers to roast beef, you can find it all during a Patriots game. Why cheer on an empty stomach?

The best choices for flavor at Gillette Stadium include:

  1. Street Tacos, The Local Street Kitchen
    Available near sections 108, 138, 308, 311, 330, and 330
  2. Asian Noodle Bars, Marketplace Express
    Sections 105, 122, and 129
  3. Pulled Pork Sandwich, Backyard Barbecue
    Sections 112 and 140

Honorable mention: Smash burgers from Smokehouse Grille, located in the south end zone.

Food for the family

The Patriots offer a family pack meal with four items and four drinks for $39. That means you can get a hot dog, nachos or pretzel, paired with a non-alcoholic drink for everyone in the family at an affordable price.

Keep in mind that outside food and drinks are not permitted in Gillette Stadium during Patriots games.

That being said, you can bring your own food to eat while tailgating in the parking lot before kickoff.

Gillette Stadium bag policy

Fans are allowed to bring bags into Gillette Stadium on game days, as long as they are in line with stadium policy.

In accordance with Gillette Stadium Security Guidelines, the only bags permitted to be carried by fans into the stadium include:

  • One-gallon, clear, plastic freezer bag that does not exceed 11″ x 11″
  • Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag that does not exceed 12″ x 12″ x 6″
  • Small wristlet or handheld wallet, with or without handle or strap that does not exceed 6.5″ x 4.5″

The only exception to the above rules are medically necessary items and items related to dietary needs and childcare. These can be admitted after being screened by security personnel.

If you wish to request an exception to the Gillette Stadium bag policy, you can email [email protected] at least 48 hours in advance of the event you plan to attend. You will receive a response within 48 hours of sending your email.

What does it cost to see a game at Gillette Stadium?

Here’s a breakdown of the cost for four people attending a regular season Patriots game at Gillette Stadium.

  • Tickets: $462.50
  • Parking: $80
  • Food: $18 (four hot dogs)
  • Beer: $17 (two 16-ounce)
  • Soda: $13 (two 16-ounce)
  • TOTAL: $590.50

According to The Athletic, the Patriots have the highest-priced seats, on average, among all NFL teams for the 2023-24 season.

Tickets for the home opener on Sep. 10, when the team will honor Tom Brady, are averaging $769, according to NESN.

Traditions at a Patriots game

No franchise has won more Super Bowl titles than the Patriots, who have hoisted the trophy six times (2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016 and 2018). With winning comes tradition, and tradition means greatness.

Here are some of the great Patriots traditions to be on the lookout for at Gillette Stadium.

  • Crazy Train: The team takes the field for home games to Ozzy Osbourne’s famous anthem “Crazy Train.” This one really gets the crowd going.
  • 1812 Overture: If and when the Pats win, the stadium speakers will often scream out the “1812 Overture”, which is a fitting tribute to the Patriot in all of us.
  • The Hoodie: Many fans will wear a bedraggled Patriots hoodie (typically gray or blue) to games in homage to iconic head coach Bill Belichick. If you have a hoodie like that, it’s the perfect garb for your next trip to Gillette. Remember: Wear the hoodie up, just like Bad Bill does.

Non-football watching activities at Gillette Stadium

DraftKings Fantasy Sports Zone

Located in the southwest corner of the main concourse, the DraftKings Fantasy Sports Zone is a sports betting lounge.

The lounge does not have betting windows, but fans can lounge, have drinks and food, and enjoy some betting on the Patriots on their smart devices. Fans must be 21 years of age or older to enter.

With the growing popularity of sports betting in Massachusetts, the DK Fantasy Sports Zone has become a fun place for bettors to watch games, as TV screens show action from around the NFL on game days.

Patriot Place

Located adjacent to Gillette Stadium, this venue has a Patriots Hall of Fame, fan shops, and displays and exhibits honoring the legends of the franchise.

You can enter Patriot Place from outside the stadium and without a game ticket, but only on non-game days.

Fan etiquette at Gillette Stadium

Gillette Stadium has been the site of many historic NFL games the past two decades. In fact, in its first game, it hosted a celebration of the 2001 Super Bowl Champs. Since, the Patriots have won five more titles.

Rooting and celebrating responsibly

It’s expected that fans will be loud and cheer hard for the Pats. The word “fan” is short for “fanatic,” after all. But be responsible.

Never drink more than you can handle. It’s an NFL game, not a drinking contest.

Also, be respectful of those around you. Folks spent hard-earned money to attend Patriots games, and they have a right to watch the game without being jostled, bumped or harassed.

Celebrate what (hopefully) will be a New England victory. But do it with decorum.

If you are a fan of the visiting team

Don’t be that person. You are a visitor in someone else’s home stadium, which means you should be respectful. Don’t taunt, don’t be rude and never throw anything on the field. Security will be on you quickly if you do.

Patriots fans are generally friendly to visitors, as long as the banter is good-natured. Everyone wants to enjoy the game, and root for their team. Be wise about how you do that in “enemy” territory.

Finally, don’t even think about bringing up “Deflategate.”

Choosing your uniform number

These are the some of the most popular jersey numbers and the associated players for Patriots fans looking to get new duds for attending a game:

  • #12 — Tom Brady
  • #81 — Randy Moss
  • #11 — Drew Bledsoe
  • #87 — Rob Gronkowski
  • #4 — Adam Vinatieri
  • #3 — Stephen Gostowski
  • #40 — Mike Haynes
  • #73 — John Hannah
  • #83 — Wes Welker

Official Patriots NFL merchandise can be purchased at any of the pro shops at Gillette Stadium.

2024 New England Patriots home football schedule

  • Week 2, Sept. 15: Seattle Seahawks
  • Week 5, Oct. 6: Miami Dolphins
  • Week 6, Oct. 13: Houston Texans
  • Week 8, Oct. 27: New York Jets
  • Week 11, Nov. 17: Los Angeles Rams
  • Week 13, Dec. 11: Indianapolis Colts
Photo by AP Photo/Charles Krupa
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Dan Holmes

Dan Holmes is a Staff Writer for PlayMA with plenty of experience under his belt. Dan has written three books about sports and previously worked for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Major League Baseball. He also has extensive experience covering the launch of sports betting in other states, including Ohio and Maryland. Currently, Dan is residing in Michigan with his family.

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