So, you're heading to the game.
While you're probably well-versed in Pats lore, how much do you know about the place you're going? About 20 miles south of the city, Gillette is a 60,000+ seat stadium hosting concerts, the New England Revolution, and the New England Patriots. If you're looking for a handy reference guide to where to park, shop, and fuel up on food before kickoff, here's our guide to crushing game day at Gillette Stadium. Go Revs! Go Pats!
Photo credit: Luis Roman / Unsplash
How do I get there?
You may have heard the "one way in, one way out" adage about driving to Gillette, and it's true. All traffic to and from the stadium must eventually hit Route 1 and follow it for several miles. Naturally, on a packed game day, this can lead to massive traffic delays.
The solution? Give yourself the best game day experience and bang for your ticket buck by arriving well ahead of kickoff time. The lots open 4 hours ahead of game time, so we recommend being there as soon as those doors open for the least stressful start to your day.
There's free, general parking in lots across from the stadium — just wear your walking shoes. If you're arriving in an oversized vehicle, follow the signage to Lot 52 for parking. If you're a season ticket holder or looking for ADA parking, head to the free stadium-side parking section.
Want to be paid to park? To help combat the aforementioned traffic on Route 1, the stadium has implemented a reservation-only, Be Paid To Park lot. Leave your car here, and you'll receive a $50 gift card for doing your part to cut down on congestion. The only catch? This lot doesn't empty out until 75 minutes after the game.
Want to leave the hassle of driving to someone else with public transportation or ride-sharing options? Tell your Uber or Lyft driver to drop you off and pick you up in Lot 15, the stadium's official ride-sharing lot. If you'd rather take the T, Foxboro station is just steps from the stadium. Round-trip tickets from South Station or Providence to Gillette are $10 each. These are available on the MBTA mTicket app at 11 AM on the Monday before the scheduled game.
Photo credit: Blocks Fletcher / Unsplash
Can I tailgate?
Is this a real question?
But there are a few things to note. You can arrive no earlier than four hours before kickoff and stay no later than two hours after a day game. If you're seeing a night game, the lots close immediately after the game, so be prepared to pack it up and head out. Kegs aren't allowed on stadium property, and all fires must be contained, monitored, and able to move in case of an emergency.
I'm not tailgating, but I'm hungry!
Even if you're not playing the part of the parking lot grill-master, rest assured, you won't go hungry. There are nearly 30 places to grab a bite at Patriot Place, with additional options inside the stadium. If you want to avoid the game day rush, there are plenty of restaurants on Route 1 to duck into before you park.
Photo credit: Dave Adamson / Unsplash
Where can I grab a drink?
Okay, we'll assume you mean an alcoholic beverage, but if pregame coffee is what you're after, Dunks and Starbucks have locations at Patriot Place. Nothing, not even game day, can stand in the way of your iced extra extra. For boozy bevs, you've got plenty of options at Patriot Place and inside the stadium. If you've got extra money lying around, consider this boozy game day experience.
Where can I stay overnight in the area?
There are two onsite hotels at Patriot Place, the Hilton Garden Inn and the Renaissance Boston Patriot Place Hotel. Both offer dining options, pools, and fitness centers... and fill up fast for events and game days.
If you'd rather stay outside of the hustle and bustle, you have options like Fairfield Inns, Hampton Inns, and Comfort Inns. Most of these are nestled in the surrounding towns and are no more than 20-30 minutes to drive to the action.
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updated September 2025
