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71-474: It features restaurants and entertainment venues, including Highmark Stadium and the 396-room Sheraton at Station Square. As one of Pittsburgh's largest tourist destinations, it attracts more than three million people annually, including many Pittsburgh natives. The retail development was built at the location of a former station on the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad , with many of the original structures such as

142-501: A $ 1 billion plan to renovate an area of Hartford, including building a stadium. Kraft then signed an agreement to move the team to Hartford on November 18, 1998. The proposed stadium included 68,000 seats, 60 luxury boxes, and had a projected cost of $ 375 million. As before in Boston and Providence, construction of the stadium was challenged by the residents. Problems with the site were discovered, and an agreement could not be reached regarding

213-756: A 28–21 New York Jets victory. During the 2011–12 NFL playoffs, the Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos, 45–10, and the stadium hosted its third AFC Championship, where they won against the Baltimore Ravens, 23–20. However, the New York Giants ruined the Patriots' season by beating them in the Super Bowl for the second time. The following year, they again hosted the AFC Championship game, where they lost 28–13 to

284-427: A Boston Stadium after the affair. In January 1997, Kraft began talks with Providence mayor Vincent Cianci to relocate the team to Providence and build a new stadium there. The proposed 68,000-seat domed stadium would have cost $ 250 million, and would have been paid through income taxes, public bonds, surcharges on tickets, and private funds. Residents of the neighborhood of the proposed project were extremely opposed to

355-617: A Patriot, they were upset by the Tennessee Titans in the First Round of the 2019 playoffs with a loss of 20–13. Entering the 2023 season, the Patriots had an all-time playoff record of 19–4 at the stadium. As part of the UMass football program's move to Division I FBS , the Minutemen played all of their home games at Gillette Stadium for the 2012 and 2013 seasons. The stadium is 95 miles away from

426-431: A bridge modeled on Boston's Longfellow Bridge . The lighthouse and bridge are now featured on the stadium's logo. For the first eight years of its existence, the stadium used a video display, with a smaller LED scoreboard just beneath it, at each end of the field. The south side also had a large LED scoreboard in addition to the smaller one. In 2010, the stadium installed two new HD Daktronics video displays to replace

497-479: A full "Megaplex" at the crosstown site, with then-new Boston Mayor Thomas Menino favoring construction of a new, stand-alone convention center in South Boston. Ultimately, the residents of neither of these neighborhoods wanted a stadium, and as a result, Menino backed out, fearing that it would affect his chance at re-election. The Fenway Park plan was cancelled after many "Save Fenway Park!" groups popped up to save

568-562: A mixed-use historic adaptive reuse development that gave the foundation the opportunity to put its urban planning principles into practice. Aided by an initial gift from the Allegheny Foundation in 1976, Landmarks adapted five historic Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad buildings for new uses and added a hotel, a dock for the Gateway Clipper Fleet and parking areas. Now, shops, offices, restaurants and entertainment anchor

639-704: A neutral site for the Army–Navy Game . Navy will also play their rivalry game with Notre Dame in Foxborough in 2026. Gillette Stadium also hosted the eighth edition of the NHL Winter Classic , between the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens , on January 1, 2016. Memorable Major League Soccer playoff victories include wins over the Chicago Fire in the 2005 and 2007 Eastern Conference Final, sending

710-456: A rainstorm contributed to the deterioration of the grass surface in a Patriots game against the Jets, team management decided to replace the natural grass surface with a synthetic surface, FieldTurf . Normally, NFL rules insist that such work could only be done during the off-season; however, the grass field was in such poor condition, the league agreed to waive the rule. The entire job was done during

781-592: A regular season match between the Revolution and Inter Miami CF , who had signed Lionel Messi the year prior; 65,612 would watch the Revolution fall 1–4. Gillette Stadium will host seven matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup : five group stage, one Round of 32, and one quarterfinal. It is one of eleven US venues selected to host matches during the tournament. During the event, the stadium will be temporarily renamed to "Boston Stadium" in accordance with FIFA's policy on corporate sponsored names. Gillette Stadium hosted

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852-504: A semicircle of six flowering trees, a commemorative plaque, a mural, and tribute stones with the names of the victims. On December 10, 2021, a $ 225 million renovation project was announced. Construction began in January 2022 and was completed in September 2023. The renovations included a new 22,000-square-foot outdoor video board installed at the north end, the largest video board of its kind in

923-458: A two-week road trip, with three shifts working around the clock. The Patriots' first game on the surface was a victory over the previously 9–1 Chicago Bears on November 26. Brady and his teammates commended the much-improved surface. At the conclusion of the 2007 season, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had a career record of 31–3 on artificial turf. The team lost a preseason matchup in August 2007 to

994-706: Is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts , United States. The stadium is 22 miles (35 km) southwest of downtown Boston, Massachusetts and 18 miles (29 km) northeast of Providence, Rhode Island . It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for both the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL) and the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer (MLS). It opened in 2002, replacing

1065-547: Is notable for its picturesque albeit unusual layout, with the Monongahela River in close proximity to the field. As a result, during daytime broadcasts of Riverhound matches, the river serves as a backdrop for the action on the field. Since the team's creation, there had been no official announcement concerning a permanent home for the Hounds, but much had been speculated since GM and manager Gene Klein, on 13 July 2007, said that

1136-505: Is run in-house and is led by the Patriots executive director of foods and beverage David Wheeler. From January 18, 2021, to June 14, 2021, Gillette Stadium was used as a mass distribution site for the COVID-19 vaccine , with a total of 610,283 shots being administered. Marking the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks , a memorial garden was installed outside Gillette Stadium. It has

1207-481: The 2020 season , but the COVID-19 pandemic put the season on pause and the league scrapped their 2020 schedule. On June 2, 2019, Gillette will host a handful of games for the Women's Professional Lacrosse League to start their 2019 season . The AMA Supercross Championship has been racing at Gillette Stadium since 2016. Monster Jam has been coming to the stadium since 2014. On November 14, 2006, two days after

1278-542: The Franklin/Foxboro Line , at Foxboro station . The Patriots have sold out every home game since moving to the stadium—preseason, regular season, and playoffs. This streak dates back to the 1994 season at Foxboro Stadium; by September 2016 , it had reached 231 games. The stadium is owned and operated by Kraft Sports Group , a subsidiary of the Kraft Group, the company through which businessman Robert Kraft owns

1349-691: The Governor of Connecticut , proposed to the Connecticut General Assembly that a new stadium should be built in Hartford to attract the Patriots to move there, stating that a stadium had "potentially great benefit" if it were built. The bill passed in the State Assembly on September 27, 1993. Back in Massachusetts , there was a proposal to build a "Megaplex" in Boston, which would be the site of

1420-610: The NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championships in 2008, 2009, 2012, 2017, and 2018 and was the home of the Boston Cannons for the 2015 season . Source: On February 15, 2019, the Premier Lacrosse League announced that Boston would be the first city on the schedule for the 2019 season . It was also announced that Gillette Stadium would be the venue to host the league on June 1 and 2. The PLL was planning on returning to Gillette for

1491-662: The USL Championship and the Pittsburgh Thunderbirds of the American Ultimate Disc League . The stadium was also home to the Pittsburgh Rebellion women's football team for 2017. Three local colleges use the stadium for soccer, lacrosse and rugby, and six different local high schools will use the field for soccer and lacrosse. The $ 10.2 million project began with the demolishing and excavating of

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1562-589: The Baltimore Ravens in the final game for long-term Patriots radio announcer Gil Santos . During the Divisional Round of the 2014–15 NFL playoffs , the Patriots avenged their 2012 defeat by the Baltimore Ravens by beating them 35–31. The following week, they defeated the Indianapolis Colts 45–7 in the 2014 AFC Championship. The stadium hosted its sixth AFC Championship game during the 2016 playoffs, as

1633-498: The Hartford proposal fell through, Robert Kraft paid for 100% of the construction costs, a rare instance of an NFL owner privately financing the construction of a stadium. On April 18, 2000, the team revealed plans for the new stadium in Foxborough. It was announced as a 68,000-seat stadium at a cost of $ 325 million, with the entire cost privately funded. Boston is thus the only city in professional sports in which all facilities are privately owned and operated. The Kraft Group (owner of

1704-544: The MLS's Portland Timbers, where its installation was recently completed. When the field is configured for American football, the Patriots have their "Flying Elvis" logo (or " Pat Patriot " if they are wearing throwback uniforms) painted on the field at dead center of the 50-yard line. Off to both sides along the 50-yard line, the Gillette Stadium logo is also painted on the field. This is a gray-and-blue stylized representation of

1775-715: The NFL team the Patriots and the MLS team the Revolution) owns Gillette Stadium, the Red Sox own Fenway Park, and TD Garden is owned by Delaware North (the owner of the Bruins) (the Celtics rent the TD Garden from Delaware North). Concurrently announced was a new road to access the stadium from U.S. Route 1 , and an additional 3,000 parking spaces to accommodate the increased number of fans. The stadium

1846-669: The Patriots and Revolution. The stadium is set to host several matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup . Due to FIFA rules regarding stadium sponsorships, Gillette will be known as Boston Stadium for the tournament, in reference to the Greater Boston area the stadium sits on. From 1971 to 2001 , the Patriots played all of their home games at Foxboro Stadium. The stadium was privately funded on an extremely small budget and featured few amenities. Its aluminum benches would freeze over during cold-weather games and it had an unorganized dirt parking lot. Foxboro Stadium did not bring in

1917-411: The Patriots announced that their partnership, which includes naming rights to the stadium, would extend through the 2031 season. Additionally, uBid (a wholly owned subsidiary of CMGI until 2003) continued to sponsor one of the main entrance gates to the stadium. Gillette Stadium is served by special MBTA Commuter Rail service from Boston and Providence during events, plus regular weekday service via

1988-610: The Patriots defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 36–17. The seventh AFC Championship hosted at Gillette Stadium came the next year, when the Patriots knocked off the Jacksonville Jaguars by a score of 24–20. In the 2018 season, Gillette Stadium hosted a Divisional Round game, as the Patriots knocked off the Los Angeles Chargers by a score of 41–28 on the way to winning Super Bowl LIII . In Tom Brady 's final game as

2059-459: The Patriots unveiled their Super Bowl XXXVI championship banner before a Monday Night Football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers . The stadium was originally known as CMGI Field before the naming rights were bought by Gillette after the "dot-com" bust . Although Gillette was acquired by Procter & Gamble in 2005, the stadium retains the Gillette name. In September 2010, Gillette and

2130-593: The Revs to the MLS Cup. Additionally, the venue hosted MLS Cup 2002 , four games of the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup , and some Copa America Centenario matches in 2016. The crowd of 61,316 drawn to the 2002 MLS Cup Final was the largest stand-alone MLS post-season crowd on record until the 2018 MLS Cup in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium . The stadium's soccer attendance record would once again be broken on April 27, 2024 during

2201-645: The Riverhounds "are to the point on the stadium complex where it is a matter of paperwork and it will get done. We hope to make an official announcement on it...but like everything else, we'll walk with it before we try and run. We are doing things the right way." On 9 July 2008, Dan Onorato , Chief Executive of Allegheny County , announced a planned development of a 78-acre (320,000 m ) sports and recreation park that covers area near Pittsburgh in Coraopolis , Robinson , and Moon known as Montour Junction. The land

Station Square - Misplaced Pages Continue

2272-640: The Station Square complex was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the "Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad Complex." Station Square was conceptualized by Arthur P. Ziegler, Jr. , one of the founding national leaders of historic preservation in the United States and President of the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation , or Landmarks. Landmarks developed the site in 1976 as

2343-460: The Tennessee Titans on the new FieldTurf but otherwise won its first eleven regular-season and playoff games on the surface covering the period of November 2006 until September 2008, when the Patriots lost to the Miami Dolphins . In February 2010, the surface was pulled and upgraded to FieldTurf "Duraspine Pro", which was expected to meet FIFA standards that the previous turf did not, preventing

2414-614: The UMass campus in Amherst —the longest trip of any FBS member. The Minutemen's on-campus stadium, Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium , was not suitable for FBS football in its previous configuration. Its small size (17,000 seats) would have made it prohibitively difficult to meet FBS average attendance requirements, and its press box and replay facilities were well below Mid-American Conference standards. Additionally, several nonconference teams would not even consider playing games in Amherst. McGuirk Stadium

2485-571: The United States include: Providence Park , CenturyLink Field , and Gillette Stadium , all of which house Major League Soccer franchises. On August 1, 2015, the supporters' section was renamed the Paul Child Stand in honor of Pittsburgh soccer legend Paul Child . About Highmark Stadium, Benjamin Zand of the BBC once said it is "[...]probably the most beautiful stadium I've ever seen." Highmark Stadium

2556-565: The United States. A new lighthouse, which reaches 218 feet at the top, provides 360-degree views of the stadium, Patriot Place, Foxborough, and beyond. 75,000 square feet of hospitality and function spaces were constructed to connect the East and West Putnam Clubs, the Dell Technology Suite Levels, and the upper concourse. The construction of these new spaces connected all levels 360 degrees. A new plaza and fan entrance were also built on

2627-525: The adjacent Foxboro Stadium . It also served as the home venue for the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Minutemen football team in 2012 and 2013 , while on-campus Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium underwent renovations; it continued to serve as a part-time home venue for higher attendance UMass games through 2018 . Gillette Stadium's seating capacity is 64,628, including 5,876 club seats and 82 luxury suites . The town of Foxborough approved plans for

2698-442: The bridge and tower at the north entrance of the stadium. In 2006, the Patriots and Kraft announced plans to build a "super regional lifestyle and entertainment center" in the area around Gillette Stadium named Patriot Place. The cost of the project was $ 350 million, more than the cost to build Gillette Stadium itself; Kraft had purchased much of the surrounding land, about 700 acres (280 ha), when he bought Foxboro Stadium in

2769-541: The conclusion of the 2024 USL Championship season . Although several warm-up matches and other non-soccer events were held at the stadium previously, the first official Riverhounds match took place on April 13, 2013, against the Harrisburg City Islanders . The first concert at the stadium was The Steve Miller Band featuring Don Felder of The Eagles in July 2015. Gillette Stadium Gillette Stadium

2840-445: The details of the stadium. The entire plan eventually fell through, enraging then Connecticut governor John G. Rowland , who lobbied hard for the stadium and spent weeks deliberating with Robert Kraft. Rowland announced at a press conference that he was officially "a New York Jets fan, now and probably forever". In 1999, the team officially announced that it would remain in Foxborough, which led to Gillette Stadium's construction. After

2911-438: The entire previous setup at both ends. At the time of their construction, the larger screen, at 41.5 feet tall and 164 feet wide (12.6 m x 50.0 m), was the second-largest video monitor in any NFL stadium; only AT&T Stadium had a larger one. Gillette Stadium ranks first among all NFL venues in stadium food safety with 0% critical violations. The Gillette Stadium food service, instead of being outsourced like most NFL teams,

Station Square - Misplaced Pages Continue

2982-519: The first seven playoff games held at the stadium between the 2003 and 2007 seasons, including the 2007 AFC Championship Game , where they beat the San Diego Chargers to improve to 18–0 and advance to Super Bowl XLII . On January 10, 2010, the Baltimore Ravens beat the Patriots 33–14, giving the Patriots their first home loss in the playoffs in Gillette Stadium. The Patriots suffered their second consecutive home playoff loss on January 16, 2011, in

3053-414: The former Trib Total Media Amphitheatre , building foundations for the scoreboard, light poles and grading foundations for the grandstands as well as the installation of underground utilities. The field surface is FIFA 2-star certified artificial turf , the highest rating that an artificial surface can achieve, one of only six fields in the country to earn that rating. Other fields to earn this rating in

3124-480: The freight house building and the concourse being converted into restaurants. Proximity to a stop on the Port Authority of Allegheny County 'T' Pittsburgh Light Rail system and the dock for the Gateway Clipper Fleet of local river cruise boats makes Station Square a major parking and jumping-off point for activities and events around the city. The property is operated by Brookfield Asset Management . In 1979,

3195-489: The historic ballpark. Kraft then began a plan to build a new stadium in South Boston. In that plan, Kraft was to pay for the stadium himself, hoping to win the support of Weld and Menino. He began to sketch designs, but the project was leaked to the press in December 1996. The residents of South Boston objected to a stadium being built in that location, causing Menino and Weld to become angry at Kraft. Kraft abandoned all plans for

3266-619: The historic riverfront site on the south shore of the Monongahela River , opposite the Golden Triangle (Pittsburgh) . It reflects a $ 100 million investment from all sources, with the lowest public cost and highest taxpayer return of any major renewal project in the Pittsburgh region since the 1950s. In 1994, Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation sold Station Square to Forest City Realty Trust which created an endowment to help support its restoration efforts and educational programs. Each year

3337-516: The late 1980s. The first phase of the project opened in fall of 2007, and featured the first Bass Pro Shops in New England, as well as Circuit City (now closed), Bed Bath & Beyond , Five Guys Burgers, Christmas Tree Shops , and Staples . In December 2007, the Patriots and CBS announced plans to build a themed restaurant and nightclub, named "CBS Scene", at the site, which would also include studios for CBS-owned WBZ-TV . The restaurant

3408-405: The minimum required capacity of 5,000. The project is anticipated to be completed ahead of the 2019 season . In March 2024, a proposed expansion of Highmark Stadium was announced that would increase capacity to between 13,500 and 15,000. Similar to the original plans announced in 2013, this expansion would be completed in three phases over the course of several years, with Phase 1 beginning after

3479-780: The multi-sport and entertainment facility, while Nello Construction, headquartered in Carnegie, PA, served as Highmark Stadium's general contractor. The architect of record is Ohio-based ThenDesign Architecture. In addition to soccer matches, the stadium was home to the Pittsburgh Rebellion of the Legends Football League for their inaugural season in 2017, as well as tournaments for soccer, football, lacrosse, rugby, and softball, and non-sporting events. The venue also accommodates concerts, cultural fairs, and special events. There are also plans to incorporate outdoor ice rinks during

3550-506: The phase in which the greatest increase in seating occurs. It includes building a second tier of seating over the current grandstand. This would require extensive planning and coordination with the city because it would require building over the roadway. This phase could bring the total seating capacity to slightly over 10,000 and would, like phase 2, be based upon demand. In an effort to meet USSF Division II requirements, Highmark Stadium began an expansion effort to add 1,000 seats; meeting

3621-466: The profits needed to keep an NFL team in New England; at just over 60,000 seats, it was one of the NFL's smallest stadiums. In 1984, team executive Chuck Sullivan funded the Victory Tour of The Jacksons , in an attempt to earn more profit for the team. Tickets sales failed, however, and the team's debt increased even further – to a final total of US$ 126 million. After two unsuccessful owners bought

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3692-455: The project because the surrounding area would have needed massive infrastructure improvements. The proposal fell through after a few weeks. During a news conference in September 1998, the team revealed plans to build a new stadium in Foxborough, keeping the team in Massachusetts. It was to be funded by the state as well as Kraft himself. This plan brought more competition from Connecticut, as

3763-500: The site of the current amphitheater close to downtown Pittsburgh as part of a redevelopment of the area. However, at the time there was no timeline set for the proposed redevelopment. On January 10, 2012, an official announcement was made that the construction would begin and that the stadium would be completed by summer 2012. The stadium was financed with an estimated $ 7 million by private investors in addition to several corporate sponsors including Highmark who hold naming rights for

3834-420: The stadium is expandable vertically on three sides in excess of 18,000 fans, the average attendance of Major League Soccer , making the stadium capable of housing the Riverhounds as they seek to join MLS within a decade. Less than a week after the first league Riverhounds match at the stadium, club officials described three phases of expansion that could be made to the stadium. Phase 1 Phase 1 includes making

3905-444: The stadium was scheduled to begin in late March to early April 2012 and to be completed during summer 2012. However, construction at the site began in August, several months behind schedule, and the stadium's opening was scheduled for fall 2012 maybe as soon as late September. The first Riverhounds match at the stadium was played on 13 April 2013 to a sold-out crowd, several months after the anticipated opening date. Naming rights for

3976-581: The stadium were purchased by Pittsburgh -based health insurance company Highmark and the stadium was subsequently named Highmark Stadium. Once completed, the Riverhounds became only the third USL Pro team to have their own soccer-specific stadium , along with the Charleston Battery ( Blackbaud Stadium ) and the Rochester Rhinos ( Sahlen's Stadium ). Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based Millcraft Industries, Inc. coordinated construction activities for

4047-544: The stadium's construction on December 6, 1999, and work on the stadium began on March 24, 2000. The first official event at the stadium was an MLS soccer game on May 11, 2002, where the New England Revolution defeated Dallas Burn , 2–0. Jeremiah Freed was the opening band at the WBCN River Rave on June 9, making them the first band to play at the stadium. Grand opening ceremonies were held on September 9, when

4118-508: The stadium's north end. The venue has hosted the NFL's nationally–televised primetime season-opening games in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2015, 2017, and 2019 (when the Patriots unveiled their championship banners from Super Bowls XXXVI , XXXVIII , XXXIX , XLIX , LI , and LIII .) The first ever NFL game at the stadium was held on September 9, 2002, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a 30–14 Patriots victory. The stadium's first playoff game

4189-416: The stadium, as well as a new Fenway Park (the home park of the Boston Red Sox ) and a convention center . The proposed sites for this hybrid convention center-stadium were along Summer Street in South Boston or at the so-called Crosstown site along Melnea Cass Boulevard in Roxbury , adjacent to Boston's South End . The administration of Massachusetts Governor William Weld pushed for construction of

4260-484: The stadium. It was also announced that although it will be a soccer-specific stadium , other sporting and non-sporting events will be held at the stadium, including the home games of the Pittsburgh Passion . Riverhounds CEO Jason Kutney has also said that the stadium will allow the Riverhounds to explore hosting soccer teams from Europe and elsewhere to play friendlies as well as the possibility of bringing women's professional soccer to Pittsburgh. Construction of

4331-433: The staff and docents of Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation introduce more than 10,000 people — teachers, students, adults, and visitors — to the architectural heritage of the Pittsburgh region and to the value of historic preservation. Highmark Stadium (Pennsylvania) Highmark Stadium is a 5,000-seat soccer-specific stadium in Pittsburgh's Station Square which is home to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC of

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4402-436: The supporters section a permanent grandstand and adding more seating to that area of the stadium which could add about another 2,000 seats. That would bring total capacity to about 6,000. Phase 2 Phase 2 involves wrapping the grandstands and creating seating in the corners of stadium and creating more seating near the East End. This phase could add about another 1,000 and would be based upon demand. Phase 3 Phase 3 would be

4473-428: The team and stadium, it was clear that a new stadium had to be built for the team to stay in New England. This is when other cities in the New England area, including Boston (which was previously home to the Patriots), Hartford , and Providence became interested in building new stadiums to lure the Patriots away from Foxborough. The first major stadium proposal from another city came in September 1993. Lowell Weicker ,

4544-403: The team from having to place sod on top of their turf to host international soccer matches. The surface was upgraded again in April 2014 to FieldTurf "Revolution" with "VersaTile" drainage system. The FieldTurf Revolution product is currently used at many venues across North America, including Lumen Field (home to the NFL's Seattle Seahawks and MLS's Seattle Sounders) and Providence Park, home of

4615-441: The winter months for public skate hours and amateur hockey games. It is also known for being the home stadium for the 6A Powerhouse Central Catholic Vikings football. There are 4 gates in Highmark Stadium: the Trib Total Media Gate, the North Gate, the South Gate, and the (#)1 Cochran Gate located in MLP Although the original seating capacity was 3,400 plus 15 suites for 12 people and approximately 400 Standing-room only places,

4686-404: Was believed by many that a stadium would be built around one of the fields and that it would likely become a permanent home for the Hounds. However, none of these earlier plans materialized. Despite speculation and previous attempts to build a permanent home for the Riverhounds at other locations, on December 8, 2011, it was revealed that a stadium for the club could be built at Station Square on

4757-406: Was designed by HOK Sport (now Populous ). Kraft wanted it modeled on M&T Bank Stadium which had opened in Baltimore in 1998. Kraft insisted on it having a "front door" with a Disneyland -like entrance. Populous went through 200 designs before coming up with one that Kraft liked. The entrance includes a lighthouse (which was originally designed to shoot a light 2 miles (3.2 km) high) and

4828-508: Was donated to the county's Redevelopment Authority by the Sports Legacy Foundation, which is chaired by Riverhounds founder and former owner Paul Heasley. The SLF had owned the land since 2002 and had already spent about $ 60k for the environmental cleanup of the land, which was once owned by the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad and had been declared a brownfield . The proposed uses for the park included soccer pitches as well as other multipurpose team sports fields such as rugby and lacrosse. It

4899-423: Was held the next year following the 2003 regular season. Playing in the Divisional Round against the Tennessee Titans , the Patriots hosted the coldest game (4 °F (2 °C), −12 °F (−7 °C) wind chill) in New England Patriots history. The Patriots won 17–14. The stadium also played host to the 2003 AFC Championship Game , in which the Patriots defeated the Indianapolis Colts 24–14. The Patriots won

4970-462: Was part of the second phase of the project, which included an open mall, a health center, a Cinema de Lux movie theater, a four-star Renaissance hotel, and "The Hall at Patriot Place". Attached to Gillette Stadium, the Hall includes a two-level interactive museum honoring the Patriots accomplishments and Super Bowl championships, plus the Patriots Pro Shop. The first restaurants and stores in phase two began opening in July 2008, and were followed by

5041-401: Was renovated to FBS standards for the 2014 season, but the Minutemen's current deal with the Kraft Group calls for the Minutemen to play four of their home games in Foxborough from 2014 to 2016 in exchange for keeping part of the revenue from ticket sales. Moving forward, Gillette continued to host UMass football for games of anticipated larger attendance. In 2023, Gillette Stadium was used as

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