NFL Stadium Showcase: Gillette Stadium
The New England Patriots are playing in their 14th season at Gillette Stadium. Located in Foxborough, Massachusetts (also written as Foxboro), the 67,000-seat field was 100 percent privately financed by Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Opened in 2002, Gillette Stadium boasts of 89 luxury suites, 6,000 club seats and 60,000-square-feet of club space. The stadium's most noteworthy feature is the 10-story lighthouse positioned beyond the north end zone.
In addition to playing all home games at Gillette, the stadium houses New England's administrative offices and football operations facilities. The Patriots' two outdoor practice fields and indoor practice bubble (Dana Farber Field-House) are found outside the south end of the stadium. The franchise also holds training camp at the complex.
The Patriots have been based in Foxborough since 1971. The team calls this geography home due to the city sitting virtually equidistant between downtown Boston and downtown Providence. In fact, the majority of visiting teams both fly into and stay in Providence, prior to playing the Pats. In addition, many members of the organization call the state of Rhode Island home.
While the Gillette Stadium grounds are known mainly for football related activities, the complex is also home to Patriot Place, a 1.3 million-square-foot dining, shopping and entertainment center. Patriot Place includes a team pro shop, hall of fame and Renaissance Hotel.
