Foxboro Stadium

Foxboro Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, serving as the primary home for the New England Patriots of the National Football League for three decades. Originally opened as Schaefer Stadium in 1971, the facility also hosted the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer and numerous major concerts and sporting events. Its utilitarian design and often harsh weather conditions contributed to a formidable home-field advantage, cementing its place in the regional sports landscape before being replaced by the adjacent Gillette Stadium.

History

The stadium's construction was spearheaded by Billy Sullivan, the original owner of the New England Patriots, to provide the team a permanent home after years of playing at various venues including Boston College's Alumni Stadium and Harvard Stadium. Financed with private funds, it opened on August 15, 1971, for a preseason game against the New York Giants. The venue was initially named Schaefer Stadium through a pioneering naming rights deal with the Schaefer Brewing Company. In 1983, following the expiration of that deal, it was renamed Sullivan Stadium in honor of the team's patriarch, before becoming Foxboro Stadium in 1990 under the ownership of Victor Kiam. The stadium's final years were under the stewardship of Robert Kraft, who purchased the team and stadium in 1994, paving the way for its eventual replacement.

Design and features

Designed by the architectural firm HOK Sport, the stadium was a classic example of a "cookie-cutter" multi-purpose bowl, with a single-tier, horseshoe-shaped design open at the north end. Its initial playing surface was AstroTurf, which was replaced with natural grass in 1991. The facility was known for its basic amenities, with many seats offering obstructed views due to supporting pillars, and its exposed location on the grounds of the Foxboro Raceway made it notoriously windy and cold. Notable features included the iconic Dunkin' Donuts sign overlooking one end zone and the Pepsi scoreboard, which became familiar landmarks to generations of fans.

Notable events

Beyond Patriots games, Foxboro Stadium hosted a wide array of significant events. It was a frequent site for FIFA competitions, including matches during the 1994 FIFA World Cup and the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup. The stadium held major concerts by iconic acts such as The Rolling Stones, U2, and Bruce Springsteen. It served as a venue for the NCAA's New England Football Conference championships and was the site of the famous "Snowplow Game" in 1982, where a stadium caretaker cleared a spot for a winning Patriots field goal against the Miami Dolphins. The 1996 MLS Cup, the first championship game for Major League Soccer, was also held at the venue.

Demolition and legacy

The final event at the stadium was an AFC Divisional playoff game on January 19, 2002, where the Patriots defeated the Oakland Raiders in the "Tuck Rule Game" en route to winning Super Bowl XXXVI. Demolition began almost immediately in January 2002 and was completed by that May to make way for parking lots for the new Gillette Stadium. The stadium's legacy is one of a gritty, no-frills venue that embodied the early struggles and eventual success of the Patriots franchise. Its intimate, often raucous atmosphere is fondly remembered by fans, and its replacement symbolized the league's shift towards modern, revenue-generating facilities.

References

Category:American football venues in Massachusetts Category:Soccer venues in Massachusetts Category:Demolished stadiums in the United States Category:New England Patriots Category:1994 FIFA World Cup stadiums