Gillette Stadium is a multi-purpose arena located in Foxborough, Massachusetts. It is one of 11 stadiums across the United States designated to host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, starting on June 11.
Owned by the Kraft Group, the 68,756-capacity stadium opened in May 2002 after construction began two years earlier, reportedly costing a whopping $325 million.
Kraft Group spent another $250 million to renovate the arena in 2023, including replacing the previous lighthouse at the north end of the stadium with a new 22-storey lighthouse standing about 218 feet tall.
As part of the revamp, a large 370-foot-by-60-foot high-definition video board was installed at the north end, along with a 360-degree observation deck allowing visitors to view the stadium and its surroundings.
The Gillette Stadium is home to two major sports teams: the National Football League franchise New England Patriots and the Major League Soccer side New England Revolution.
Originally christened the CMGI Field, Gillette, an American personal care company, and the Patriots entered a partnership in 2010 that included naming rights for the arena through at least 2031. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
However, Gillette Stadium will undergo another rebranding during the World Cup, being referred to as the Boston Stadium in accordance with FIFA regulations on sponsorship during competitions.
Unlike some of the arenas selected to host World Cup matches, Gillette Stadium doesn’t have a retractable roof, making it an open-air facility that allows fans to experience natural weather conditions during games.
The stadium has hosted major international football tournaments, including the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the Copa América Centenario, and the International Champions Cup.
Like most other venues selected for the World Cup, the venue has hosted famous artists such as the Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, Toby Keith, Taylor Swift, Jay Z, Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, and many others.
The highest attendance ever recorded was set during one of those concerts, when 71,723 attended Ed Sheeran’s July show. The arena will host seven fixtures during the World Cup, including five group-stage matches and two knockout-round games.
England and Ghana will meet in a high-profile match at the venue on June 23. Scotland, Morocco, Haiti, Norway and France are also scheduled to play at the venue during the tournament.
