LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 31: Tom Brady attends Los Angeles Premiere Screening Of Paramount Pictures' "80 For Brady" at Regency Village Theatre on January 31, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)

Yes it’s HARD to believe, we are sharing our Patriots At Gillette Stadium: Everything You Need To Know, guide already! It’s our annual comprehensive guide for everything you need, if you’re brave enough, I mean lucky enough to migrate to Gillette this Sunday, for the season home opener. Let’s get started!

Tom Brady Tribute

This home opener will be unlike any other. This Sunday footballs greatest quarterback, Tom Brady will be honored by the team that started it all for amazing career. It promises to be a heartfelt moment. Have some Kleenex ready.

According to WCVB: 

“The greatest player in the history of the game played right here in Foxboro, and I’m happy to tell you…I invited him back to come here and be with us at the opening game,” Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a statement posted by the team.

Brady is under contract to join Fox Sports as the network’s lead football analyst. That 10-year deal is reportedly worth $375 million.

NFL.com talked to Patriots coach Bill Belichick asking him to reflect on his favorite Tom Brady moments during their twenty seasons together:

“Well, there are six of them that come to mind,” Belichick responded, alluding to the six Lombardis the pair won together, via 

Bill Belichick on @TheGregHillShow was asked about his favorite Tom Brady memories and gave a pretty good answer:

"Well, there are six of them that come to mind. Can’t say enough about Tom – what he’s meant to this organization, what he’s meant to me personally. He just…

— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) September 4, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mark Daniels of MassLive.

What Does Tom Say?

On his Let’s Go podcast Tom reflected on his twenty years with the team:

“I had two decades of incredible life-altering experiences, he added. “I’m creating a new memory with the people there.

Who Are We Playing?

We are hosting the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette at 4:25 pm. The Eagles are coming off a Super Bowl loss last winter, losing to the Chiefs, 38-35  after a holding call late in the fourth quarter, which cost the Eagles a Super Bowl win. The weather will be warm, with a chance of thunderstorms.

So, get on your Pats gear for the Patriots At Gillette Stadium: Everything You Need To Know!

  • What Time Should I Arrive?

    Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images

    Game time is 4:25 PM, Sunday

    I ALWAYS leave early and allow for traffic and other surprises. For Springsteen, we arrived early enough to have a fun dinner at Bar Louie.

    Gate opening times will vary per event. Please review the Event Guide for the specific event you are interested in attending. Or, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/GilletteStadium for up-to-date information on any given stadium event.

  • Bag Policy: IMPORTANT

    Bag

    Image by Getty Images

    I always put this up at the top, because, getting sent back to your car is no fun! When in doubt, just bring a small, clear bag. Read below CAREFULLY!

    • Clear Bag Policy:
      • Non-clear bags are not to exceed 4.5” x 6.5”.
      • Clear bags are not to exceed 12” x 6” x 12”.
      • Clear backpacks are allowed, as long as they meet the 12″ x 6″ x 12″ clear bag policy.
    • Banner Information:
      • Banners larger than 11” x 17” are not permitted.
      • Lights/battery packs are not permitted on signage, clothing or any other objects.
      • Stadium/artist management reserves the right to prohibit signs or banners due to message content.
    • Electronics Information:
      • No GoPro, video cameras, tripods or monopods.
      • No professional cameras or cameras with detachable lenses.
      • Polaroid cameras and portable phone chargers are permitted.
    • Empty reusable water bottles are allowed inside Gillette Stadium ONLY if you are sitting in the 100s, 200s and 300s. No reusable water bottles will be allowed if you have floor tickets.
    • Selfie sticks, backpacks, lasers, umbrellas, and outside food and beverage are NOT permitted inside the stadium. For a full list of permitted and prohibited items, please click here.
  • Can I take A Train To Gillette? YES You Can!

    T

    Image by Getty Images

    • Roundtrip tickets are $20 each and can be purchased via the mTicket app.
    • Please note: These are special event trains and ticket sales will be stopped once the maximum capacity is reached. Regular Commuter Rail tickets and passes are not valid for special event trains.
  • Parking At Gillette: When Should I Arrive?

    Parking

    Image by Getty Images

    Like I mentioned, allowing extra time will help you enjoy this event!

    • Parking lots open four (4) hours prior to the start of the show, and close immediately after the event concludes. As a ticket holder, you can save time on event day by purchasing a prepaid parking pass. In order to purchase, you must use the same email address your event tickets are associated with. You may only purchase 1 pass per account.
    • Prepaid parking is $50 and is the ONLY way to park on the stadium side of Route 1 – a spot in one of our stadium-side lots is guaranteed regardless of when you arrive. Please note that parking passes are limited and are subject to availability. Click here to buy.
    • Gillette Stadium also offers general parking on the opposite side of Route 1. General parking is included in the price of your ticket. Click here to see a map.
  • Does Gillette Use Cash? No

    ATM

    Image By Getty Images

    Unlike Fenway, Gillette is completely cashless. What does that mean?

    • Gillette Stadium is a completely cashless stadium. Only contactless payment options will be accepted within the stadium. Event attendees will be able to utilize one of our new Cash-to-Card kiosks to convert cash to Visa® prepaid cards. Visa® prepaid cards will be valid anywhere Visa® is accepted. For more information on our Cash-to-Card kiosks, click here.
  • Is There Wifi?

    WIFI

    Image by Getty Images

    Look for the Gillette Stadium wifi to stay connected throughout the event. It’s complimentary.

  • ADA: What If I Have Special Needs?

    Tom Brady

    (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

    • Gillette Stadium provides two (2) dedicated ADA Elevators for guests needing additional accommodations and requiring elevator access: one on the west side of the stadium at the W1 entrance, and one on the east side of the stadium at the Ticketmaster Gate. To see a map of these stadium entrances, please click here.
    • Please visit our Accessible Services page to learn about Accessible Seating and Relocation or call our ADA Coordinator at (508) 384-9191 / MassRelay (800) 439-2370.
  • Is There A Guide For Restaurants?

    Seasoned French Fries with Organic Ketchup laid out on a cooking sheet.

    Image by Getty Images

    Of course!! As we all know, Patriots Place has a variety of dining and fun bar experiences. We had a great experience at Bar Louie. It was packed, but we still got great service, and food was awesome. Only thing is you have to wait a little for a seat. No reservations. So arrive early!

    Explore the shops and restaurants at Patriot Place before and after the event.

  • Can We Tailgate?

    Tailgate

    (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

    Yes WE CAN! But sorry, no open flames.

    Policy:

    Tailgating in general parking lots may begin when the lots open to general parking unless directed by parking/security or public safety officials. However, open fires are not allowed. All fires must be contained within a suitable and appropriate fire burning device and must be movable in the event of an emergency. “Fire pits” with open flames are not considered movable in the event of an emergency, and therefore are not allowed. All fires and/or grills should not be left unattended. Used charcoal briquettes and/or other burning material must be disposed of properly and not left on the parking surface to burn out.

  • Where Are My Seats?

    Philadelphia Union v New England Revolution

    (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

    Trying to figure out which side of the stadium you’re sitting on? Certainly helps for deciding where to park! You can check out the handy Gillette Stadium seat guide.

  • Can I Charge My Electric Car?

    Tesla

    Image by Getty Images

    Yes, if you’ve got an electric car, there are a number of places to charge up, I counted six on this map. You may want to get there early though!

  • What If I Want to Give My Tickets To Someone Else?

    Graphic Courtesy of Gillette Stadium

    All ticketing at Gillette these days is via the Mobile App.

    Tickets to all events at Gillette Stadium will be accessible via mobile device only. Fans can access and manage mobile tickets via the Gillette Stadium App which is available on the App Store (for iPhone users) and Google Play Store (for Android users). It is recommended that you add your mobile tickets to your Apple Wallet or Google Pay to beat busy network connections at the game or event.

     

  • Can I Vape?

    Vape

    Image by Getty Images

    Smoking or vaping is a NO GO, sorry. Gillette has been a smoke free facility since 2012, so plan accordingly!

  • What If I Have More Questions?

    Gillette Stadium

    For everything else you may need to know, you should check out the official Gillette Stadium A-Z Guide for all of the answers!

  • Tom Brady Will Be Honored

    Tom Brady's NEW Team

    (Photo by Cameron Smith/Getty Images)

    This home opener will be unlike any other. This Sunday footballs greatest quarterback, Tom Brady will be honored by the team that started it all for amazing career. It promises to be a heartfelt moment.