Foxboro Stadium

Foxboro Stadium was a stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and was the home of the New England Patriots of the National Football League from 1971 to 2001. The stadium was also home to the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer from 1996 to 2001. Patriots owner Billy Sullivan played a significant role in the construction of the stadium, which was designed by Finnish architect Eero Saarinen and Kallmann McKinnell & Wood. The stadium hosted numerous events, including NFL playoff games, MLB games, and concerts featuring The Rolling Stones, The Who, and Aerosmith.

● History

The construction of the stadium began in 1970, with Sullivan Family as the primary owner. The stadium was built on a site that was previously a horse racing track, and was designed to be a multi-purpose facility that could host a variety of events, including football, baseball, and concerts. The stadium was officially opened on August 15, 1971, with a preseason game between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants. Over the years, the stadium underwent several renovations, including the addition of new seating areas and luxury suites, designed by HOK Sport and Populous. The stadium also hosted events such as the 1985 AFC Championship Game, which featured the New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins, and was attended by NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle and CBS Sports commentator John Madden.

● Design and Features

The stadium was designed with a unique bowl-shaped design, which provided an intimate and electric atmosphere for fans. The stadium had a seating capacity of over 60,000, with club seats and luxury suites available for premium ticket holders. The stadium's field was made of natural grass, which was maintained by a team of groundskeepers led by George Toma. The stadium also featured a video scoreboard and a sound system designed by Bose Corporation, which provided an enhanced experience for fans. The stadium's design was influenced by other stadiums of the time, including Tiger Stadium and Yankee Stadium, and was constructed by Bechtel Group and Turner Construction.

● Tenants

The primary tenants of the stadium were the New England Patriots of the National Football League and the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer. The Patriots played their home games at the stadium from 1971 to 2001, and won several division titles and AFC Championships during their tenure. The Revolution played their home games at the stadium from 1996 to 2001, and featured players such as Taylor Twellman and Steve Ralston. Other tenants of the stadium included the Boston Minutemen of the North American Soccer League and the Boston Breakers of the Women's United Soccer Association, which was founded by John Hendricks and Philip Anschutz.

● Events

The stadium hosted a wide range of events, including NFL playoff games, MLB games, and concerts. The stadium hosted several high-profile concerts, including performances by The Rolling Stones, The Who, and Aerosmith. The stadium also hosted soccer matches, including international friendlies and World Cup qualifiers, featuring teams such as the United States men's national soccer team and the Brazil national football team. The stadium was also used for high school football games and college football games, including the Harvard Crimson and the Boston College Eagles, which are part of the NCAA and the ACC. The stadium was also the site of the 1985 AFC Championship Game, which was played in front of a sell-out crowd and was broadcast on NBC by Curt Gowdy and John Brodie.

● Demolition

The stadium was demolished in 2002, after the New England Patriots moved to their new home, Gillette Stadium. The demolition process was carried out by Demolition Dynamics, and took several weeks to complete. The site where the stadium once stood is now a parking lot for Gillette Stadium, which is located adjacent to the site. The demolition of the stadium marked the end of an era for the New England Patriots and their fans, who had fond memories of the stadium and its electric atmosphere. The Patriots have since gone on to win several Super Bowl championships, including Super Bowl XXXVI and Super Bowl XXXVIII, under the leadership of Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. Category:Defunct stadiums in the United States