The field of dreams – and the story behind it
The home of all-conquering NFL side, the New England Patriots, was built on the site of the former Foxboro Stadium, where six games took place at the 1994 World Cup, including Maradona’s last two on the global stage. The 60,000-capacity venue then co-hosted the Women’s World Cup five years later – 50,484 watched USWNT beat North Korea here – by which time billionaire businessman Robert Kraft had launched New England Revolution in the inaugural year of MLS, 1994.
Lifelong Patriots fan/owner Kraft would play a prominent role in the North American bid for World Cup 2026, having built a stadium for his all-conquering Pats two decades earlier. Of the many options, he had chosen to stay in Foxborough, 25 miles from Boston, paying for the whole thing himself, more than half a billion dollars in today’s money.
With an initial capacity of 68,756, Gillette Stadium featured a grand entrance whose two signature features were a bridge modelled on a historic crossing linking Boston and Cambridge, and a lighthouse, a nod to the coastal heritage of New England. Here the Patriots embarked on a string of Super Bowl wins, led by all time-hero quarterback Tom Brady, whose statue was unveiled here in 2025.
Around the stadium, Kraft built retail hub Patriot Place, where you find sports bar The Harp and mainstream eateries, and then oversaw a substantial overhaul of the arena from 2021. A new lighthouse attraction now offers panoramic views for miles around, while the video board is the largest of its kind in the States. Crowds for soccer, however, are usually relatively modest – which won’t be the case when England and Scotland play here in June.
Note that for the length of the tournament, the Gillette Stadium will be known by its non-sponsored name of Boston Stadium – even though it’s in Foxborough.
getting here
Going to the stadium – tips and timings
Logan Airport is ten miles (16km) east of Downtown Boston. A free Silver Line bus (SL1) runs from each of the airport’s four terminals every 8-15mins to South Station (20-30min journey time) – follow the signs for Ground Transportation. Boston Logan Airport Cab (+1 617-420-5888) should charge around $30 to South Station (10-15mins) and $100 to Gillette Stadium 30 miles (48km) away in Foxborough (45min journey time), although surge pricing on match days could double this.
From South Station, MBTA trains run to Foxboro Station alongside the stadium, $80 round-trip via the MBTA app. Only those with same-day match tickets can use the service – regular rail links run on non-match days. Boston Stadium Express buses run from 100 hotels in the Boston area, roundtrip for same-day match-ticket holders $95. Rideshare services drop off and pick up at Lot 16 – this is not available for private vehicles. Booked parking nearby via JustPark starts at $175.
MBTA runs a subway and bus network (one-way $2.40/$1.70), pay contactless or top up a free CharlieCard (min $5). Single-use CharlieTickets https://www.mbta.com/fares ($2.90/$2) are also available from machines. Use the MBTA app for Commuter Rail and ferries.
For a local taxi, call +1 617-268-1313 or download the app.
