New England Patriots
New England Patriots Travel Guide: Gillette Stadium
How to Get There
Flying In: You have two great options. Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) is a massive global hub for Delta and JetBlue, located about 35 miles north of the stadium. Alternatively, you can fly into Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD) in Providence. It is roughly 30 miles south of the stadium, significantly smaller, and much easier to navigate if you want to avoid heavy city traffic and are able to find a flight.
The Neighborhood: Gillette Stadium is not located in Boston; it sits in the quiet suburb of Foxborough, MA. Because it is surrounded by conservation land and suburban neighborhoods, the local roads are mostly two-lane highways that bottleneck heavily on game days.
Where to Stay
Because Foxborough is suburban, hotel inventory immediately next to the stadium is limited and prices skyrocket on game weekends. You can splurge to stay right on the stadium footprint, crash in a neighboring town, or stay in downtown Boston/Providence and commute in. See guide for the Red Sox if looking to stay in Boston proper and experience the city itself.
Budget Options
Red Roof PLUS+ Boston - Mansfield/Foxboro: Located about four miles south of the stadium in Mansfield, this is a clean, highly reliable, no-frills option. It keeps you close to the stadium corridor via Route 1 without the astronomical price tags attached to the properties on the stadium footprint.
EnVision Hotel & Conference Center Mansfield-Foxboro: Another fantastic suburban value pick located just minutes down the road. It features comfortable, straightforward rooms, an on-site lounge, and puts you right near the major highway intersections for an easy game-day drive.
Higher-End Options
Renaissance Boston Patriot Place Hotel: This is the absolute premier luxury home base for a Patriots weekend. It is located physically on the stadium footprint inside the Patriot Place complex. Many rooms feature direct views looking right into the Gillette Stadium bowl, and you can literally walk out the front lobby straight to the stadium gates.
Hilton Garden Inn Foxborough Patriot Place: Also located directly within the Patriot Place entertainment complex, this property offers premium, modern comfort just steps from the stadium. It features a great outdoor patio area, an indoor pool, and unmatched convenience for casual walk-up access to all pregame activities.
Nearby Activities
The Hall at Patriot Place: Located right next to the stadium, this is a state-of-the-art, highly interactive museum celebrating the history of the Patriots' dynasty. It features high-tech exhibits, iconic artifacts from their six Super Bowl victories, and interactive football challenges.
Patriot Place: This massive, open-air shopping, dining, and entertainment center completely surrounds the stadium. It features dozens of retail shops, a massive movie theater, bowling alleys, and a Topgolf Swing Suite.
Pregame Food and Drink
The Parking Lot Tailgates: Tailgating at Gillette Stadium is a massive New England tradition. The expansive asphalt lots surrounding the stadium open four hours prior to kickoff and turn into a giant sea of grills, seafood boils, and lawn games.
Wormtown Brewery: Located right at Patriot Place, this massive taproom features an incredible outdoor patio that sits directly in the shadow of the stadium. It is a fantastic spot to grab a pint of local Massachusetts craft beer before heading to the gates.
Scorpion Bar: If you want a high-energy, vibrant indoor vibe, hit this upscale Mexican cantina at Patriot Place. It features massive projection screens, loud music, and a fantastic menu of gourmet tacos and specialty margaritas.
CBS Sporting Club: A massive, modern sports bar with a 25-foot LED interior video wall and a sweeping outdoor deck that overlooks the stadium’s plaza, making it a premier spot to grab traditional pub fare before kickoff.
Getting to the Event
The MBTA Patriot Train: This is the absolute best way to avoid the legendary gridlock on Route 1. On game days, the MBTA operates a special commuter rail train that runs directly from Boston (South Station and Back Bay) and Providence straight to the Gillette Stadium station. Tickets must be purchased in advance via the mTicket app, and the train departs exactly 30 minutes after the final whistle blows.
Driving & Free Parking: If you choose to drive, Gillette Stadium implements a unique parking structure: general parking in all stadium-controlled lots on the opposite side of Route 1 is completely free. While this saves you a ton of cash, be prepared for a long wait to exit the lots after the game ends.
Rideshare: There is a dedicated Uber and Lyft drop-off and pick-up zone operating in Lot 15. Getting to the stadium is simple, but trying to secure a ride out after the game faces heavy surge pricing and long wait times.
Where to Sit at Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium is a completely open-air stadium. It recently underwent a massive multi-million dollar end zone renovation that added the largest outdoor videoboard in the country and a towering new lighthouse structure featuring a public observation deck.
The Premium Club Experience: The Putnam Club (200-level sidelines) offers the absolute best overall sightlines in the stadium. These premium tickets grant access to massive, high-end, climate-controlled indoor lounges featuring upscale food stations and private bars—a total lifesaver during freezing December games.
Away Fans: If you are traveling to cheer on the visiting team, look for tickets on the East sideline (Sections 107-112). Targeting rows 15-25 keeps you intimately close to the action while elevating you high enough to see cleanly over the players and coaching staff standing on the sideline.
The Renovated North End Zone: Look for seats in Sections 122-124 or 141-143 to sit right next to the stunning new lighthouse structure. These sections offer a fantastic, head-on view of the game action and place you right in the center of the stadium's newest architectural showpiece.
The Budget Move: The 300-level (upper deck) offers the most affordable tickets. Because the upper bowl is relatively steep, you get a fantastic panoramic view of the entire field and the surrounding New England scenery. Try to buy tickets in rows 1-5 of the 300 level to minimize your walk up the stairs and stay close to concourse restrooms and concessions.
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