New
England Patriots - Gillette Stadium |
Address: |
One Patriot Place
Foxborough, MA 02035 |
|
Name: |
Gillette Stadium |
Home Team:
|
New England Patriots |
Capacity:
|
68,756 |
Playing
Surface: |
Grass |
Year Opened:
|
2002 |
|
After two decades at Foxboro
Stadium, Gillette Stadium is a major upgrade from the Patriots
former home. In the mid to late 1990’s, Patriots owner
Robert Kraft proposed the idea for a new stadium. The Patriots
needed a new stadium because Foxboro Stadium had fewer amenities
and seats than newer stadiums had. After several bonds were
not passed, Kraft decided to use his own money to build the
Patriots a new stadium. Construction on the Patriots new stadium
began in early 2000. Like many other NFL teams, the Patriots
sold the naming rights to the stadium. Originally, CMGI Investments
purchased the naming rights. However, in August 2002, the Gillette
Company bought the naming rights to the stadium after CMGI Investments
underwent financial failures. The
New England Patriots played their first game at Gillette Stadium
on September 9, 2002. Gillette Stadium is a vast improvement
over Foxboro Stadium. The stadium has around 68,000 seats,
with the majority on both sidelines. Gillette Stadium consists
of three seating decks. The lower section of seats nearly
enclose the field, while the club and upper levels of seating
are on both sides of the gridiron. All of the seats are angled
toward the 50 yard line giving fans an excellent view of the
game. Gillette Stadium has 80 luxury suites, and over 6,000
club seats.
Two massive video/scoreboards are located
beyond both endzones. Gillette Stadium also has a 120,000
square foot Patriots Club lounge that is used year-around.
Bringing a New England feel to the game is a lighthouse motif
and a bridge. These are located where many fans enter the
stadium at the North Portal Plaza. Gillette Stadium is also
the home of the New England Revolutionary (MLS). The Patriots
hope to have years of success at Gillette Stadium.
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