Gillette Stadium

	Capacity		68,756
	Opened		September 9, 2002
	Owner		Robert Kraft
	Cost		$325 million
	Architect		John Bolles

Gillette Stadium is the home stadium for the New England Patriots football team and the New England Revolution soccer team. Located in Foxborough, Massachusetts the facility opened in 2002, replacing Foxboro Stadium. The seating capacity is 68,756, including 6,000 club seats and 87 luxury suites. The stadium is owned and operated by American businessman Robert Kraft, who also owns the Patriots and Revolution.

The stadium was originally known as CMGI Field before the naming rights were bought by Gillette after the “dot-com” bust. Although Gillette has officially merged with Procter & Gamble, the stadium will retain the Gillette name, since P&G will continue to use the Gillette brand name.

By the 1990s, the Patriots needed the increased revenue that would come with a new stadium to remain competitive in the NFL, as Foxboro Stadium had become rapidly outdated and lacked sufficient modern amenities. Robert Kraft, who had owned Foxboro Stadium since 1988, purchased the New England Patriots in 1994 and began a quest to build a more financially lucrative home for his team. After voiding a 1998 agreement to move the Patriots to a new stadium in Hartford, Connecticut, Kraft decided to pursue a new stadium adjacent to Foxboro Stadium on U.S. Route 1.

The Town of Foxborough approved plans for the stadium’s construction on December 6, 1999, and work on the stadium began on March 24, 2000. The first official event was a New England Revolution game on May 11, 2002. The Rolling Stones played their second Boston area appearance on their Forty Licks tour on September 5, 2002. Grand opening ceremonies were held on September 9, 2002, when the Patriots unveiled their Super Bowl XXXVI championship banner prior to a Monday Night Football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Patriots have achieved remarkable success at the stadium, entering the 2006 NFL season a 30-6 (.833) record there in regular-season and playoff games. The Patriots won a franchise-record 21 straight games at the venue from December 29, 2002 to September 8, 2005. Additionally, the team is a perfect 4-0 in playoff games at Gillette Stadium. Every Patriots game played at Gillette Stadium has been sold out.

The venue hosted the 2002 MLS Cup the 2003 AFC Championship Game and four games of the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Additionally, the stadium hosted the NFL’s nationally-televised primetime season-opening games in 2004 (when the Patriots unveiled their Super Bowl XXXVIII championship banner) and in 2005 (when the Patriots unveiled their Super Bowl XXXIX championship banner).

Patriot Place

Patriot Place is built around the stadium and owned by the Patriots. Phase 1 opened in the Fall of 2007. It is described as a “super regional lifestyle and entertainment center”. It includes Circuit City, Bed Bath & Beyond, Christmas Tree Shops, Staples, and New England’s first Bass Pro Shops. Phase 2 will include a 4-star hotel, and many other retail and dining outlets.

In December 2007, it was announced that CBS would build a themed restaurant and nightclub at the site. The studios of CBS affiliate WBZ-TV, co-owned independent station WSBK-TV, and five local stations owned by CBS Radio will also relocate to the site, which will be called CBS Scene. Also included will be a Hall at Patriot Place, honoring the Patriots accomplishments and Super Bowl championships.

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Gillette Stadium website
Gillette Stadium wikipedia entry
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