Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:60 Washington Street
Foxboro, Massachusetts
Our Sports Superfan Says:
One of the National Football League's newest venues is also one of its most imposing. Since it opened in 2002, the New England Patriots have almost never lost at their home field of Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts (located about 30 miles southwest of Boston, and 20 miles northeast of Providence, Rhode Island). As of 2008, the New England Patriots have won more than 80 percent of their home games, one of the most dominant marks in the league. In the 2007-2008 season the New England Patriots were not only dominant at home but on the road as well, going undefeated in the regular season, only losing the Super Bowl to the New York Giants 17-14, ending an otherwise perfect season. No other team has ever won all 16 games of the regular season—the Miami Dolphins came close, winning 14 games, back when the season was only 14 games long. Legendary Patriot Quarterback Tom Brady has already led the team to four Super Bowls, winning three, in his seven year career, and currently holds the most passing touchdowns in a season, at fifty. The New England Patriots also star excellent wide receivers Randy Moss and Wes Welker, who really come through with clutch catches to consistently put the team on top.
The stadium also hosts the New England Revolution, of Major League Soccer. While they have not quite been as successful as the Patriots, they've still managed to make the MLS Cup Finals four times since they moved to Gillette Stadium, including three in a row from 2005-2007, albeit without winning any.
Aside from the Pats and the Revs, Gillette Stadium also hosted the 2002 MLS Cup, games at the 2003 Women's World Cup, and assorted international soccer matches. It was also home to the 2008 NCAA Men's Lacrosse championship. During the rare gaps between the Patriots' (fall-winter) and Revolution's (spring-fall) seasons, there are camping and home shows at the stadium.
Holding 68,756 people, Gillette Stadium's suburban location makes it accessible only by car. The Patriots play eight regular season home games a year at the stadium, and the Revolution fifteen, in addition to the requisite preseason games and postseason games as necessary.