A Historical Overview

Gillette Stadium: Home of the New England Patriots

A Historical Overview

Gillette Stadium, located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, serves as the home stadium for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). The stadium was originally opened in August 1971 under the name Schaefer Stadium, primarily hosting the Patriots, who had been renamed from the Boston Patriots. The land for the stadium was granted by the Bay State Raceway.

Patriots' Dominance

The Patriots have enjoyed immense success at Gillette Stadium, including three Super Bowl victories and numerous conference and division championships. In 1971, they shocked the favored Miami Dolphins 34-13 in Week 12, overcoming a 17-7 first-quarter deficit by scoring 27 unanswered points. This victory was a significant moment in the team's history.

Stadium Evolution

Before moving into Gillette Stadium in September 2002, the Patriots played in several different arenas. Schaefer Stadium underwent renovations and expansions, leading to its renaming as Sullivan Stadium in 1983 and Foxboro Stadium in 1991. With its state-of-the-art facilities and amenities, Gillette Stadium has become one of the premier football stadiums in the NFL.