Gillette Stadium
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| Gillette Stadium | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Stadium name | Gillette Stadium |
| Location | Foxborough, Massachusetts |
| Broke ground | March 24, 2000 |
| Opened | September 9, 2002 |
| Owner | Kraft Group |
| Operator | Kraft Sports Group |
| Surface | FieldTurf |
| Construction cost | $325 million |
| Architect | HOK Sport |
| Builder | Skanska |
| Tenants | New England Patriots, New England Revolution |
| Seating capacity | 65,878 |
Gillette Stadium is a stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and is home to the New England Patriots of the National Football League and the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer. The stadium was built as a replacement for the Foxboro Stadium, which was the previous home of the New England Patriots. The stadium is owned and operated by the Kraft Group, which is led by Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots and the New England Revolution. The stadium has hosted numerous high-profile events, including the AFC Championship Game, the MLS Cup, and concerts featuring Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, and Bruce Springsteen.
● History
The history of the stadium dates back to the late 1990s, when the New England Patriots were looking to replace their old stadium, Foxboro Stadium. The team was led by Bill Belichick, who had recently been hired as the head coach, and Tom Brady, who was a young quarterback at the time. The stadium was designed by HOK Sport, a renowned architectural firm that had designed several other stadiums, including Reliant Stadium and Lincoln Financial Field. The construction of the stadium was overseen by Skanska, a construction company that had worked on several other high-profile projects, including the Time Warner Center and the Prudential Center. The stadium was officially opened on September 9, 2002, with a game between the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers, which was attended by Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue.
● Design and Features
The stadium was designed with a unique shape, featuring a large video board and a FieldTurf surface. The stadium has a seating capacity of 65,878, making it one of the largest stadiums in the National Football League. The stadium features several amenities, including a Hall of Fame honoring the greatest players in New England Patriots history, including John Hannah, Mike Haynes, and Andre Tippett. The stadium also features a large concourse with several concession stands and restaurants, including Dunkin' Donuts and Papa Gino's. The stadium's design was influenced by several other stadiums, including Lambeau Field and Soldier Field, and has been praised for its unique and intimate atmosphere. The stadium has also been recognized for its sustainability features, including a rainwater harvesting system and a solar panel array, which were designed in consultation with Environmental Protection Agency and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
● Tenants
The stadium is home to the New England Patriots of the National Football League and the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer. The New England Patriots have won several championships since moving to the stadium, including Super Bowl XXXVI, Super Bowl XXXVIII, and Super Bowl XLIX, under the leadership of Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. The New England Revolution have also had success in the stadium, winning the MLS Cup in 2007 and 2008 under the leadership of Steve Nicol and Taylor Twellman. The stadium has also hosted several other teams and events, including the Boston College Eagles and the UMass Minutemen, and has been the site of several NCAA tournaments, including the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament and the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship.
● Events
The stadium has hosted numerous high-profile events, including the AFC Championship Game, the MLS Cup, and concerts featuring Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, and Bruce Springsteen. The stadium has also hosted several international soccer matches, including a friendly between the United States men's national soccer team and the Brazil national football team, and a World Cup qualifier between the United States women's national soccer team and the Canada women's national soccer team. The stadium has also been the site of several NFL preseason games, including a game between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants, and has hosted several high school football championships, including the MIAA Super Bowl. The stadium has also been used for several non-sporting events, including a concert by Paul McCartney and a rally by Barack Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign.
● Transportation
The stadium is located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and is accessible by several major highways, including Interstate 95 and Interstate 495. The stadium is also served by several public transportation options, including the MBTA Commuter Rail and the Patriot Shuttle, which connects the stadium to several nearby parking lots and transportation hubs, including Boston's South Station and Logan International Airport. The stadium has several parking lots on site, including the P10 and P11 lots, which offer park-and-ride service to the stadium. The stadium is also within walking distance of several nearby hotels and restaurants, including the Renaissance Boston Patriot Place Hotel and the Patriot Place shopping center, which features several restaurants and stores, including Davio's and The Cheesecake Factory.