Considering coming to Gillette for 12/19 Pats-Pack Game

[BrewCity Cheesehead]

Hey guys,

As I stated in the new member forum, I'm a Packer fan from Milwaukee, Wisconsin (aka Brew City). When watching the draft a couple months ago with a couple friends, we got to talking about seeing our beloved team play on the road this season. So we got to thinking... Philly was crossed off immediately due to stuff like this YouTube - Eagles Fans throw snowballs at 49ers fans. Washington was next to be eliminated due to the stadium being possibly the worst fan experience in the league. Minnesota was next because their stadium stinks. Detroit was crossed off since their team stinks. That left New England, NY Jets, Atlanta and Chicago. Nothing really excites me about visiting Atlanta. Chicago could be a possibility, but only for budgetary reason as we could just go for the day and wouldn't have to fly anywhere. I have been to Chicago many times (though not to Soldier Field), but I'd rather go somewhere I haven't been before.

So we have it narrowed down to either the Patriots game or the Jets game. Both are good teams and I've never been to either area, and always wanted to visit both New York and Boston. the Jets have the brand new stadium, but I would say at this point that the Pats-Packers game interests me the most, since the game is sunday night, nationally televised, and the Pats fanbase seems to be more respectable (When I think of the Jets fanbase, I keep thinking of the crazies at the NFL draft making a scene every year).

So I'm wondering a few things.... What could we expect showing up at Gillette Stadium wearing our Packer gear? I would expect, as in most stadiums, I would get at least some friendly razzing, but are most fans generally respectful of the visiting fans? (in other words not Philly fans) Maybe I'm mostly concerned since there could be snowball making material that time of year.

Otherwise what can you tell me about Gillette? Where to sit/not to sit? Are there usually pre-game tailgate parties organized by nearby restaurants/bars? What are a few must-see sites in the area? We'll probably make a long weekend out of the trip (maybe flying in thursday, leaving monday). And also, feel free to tell me why I shouldn't go to the Packers vs. Jets game, if you feel the need to take a jab at them, since there is still a possibility we could go there instead.

 

[Kontradiction]

You'll probably be treated with a bigger amount of respect in Foxboro than you would in New Jersey. Jets fans are only a peg up from Eagles fans in class. Also, you might want to post this in the main forum. Nobody really visits the NFL Forum anymore.

 

[BrewCity Cheesehead]

You'll probably be treated with a bigger amount of respect in Foxboro than you would in New Jersey. Jets fans are only a peg up from Eagles fans in class. Also, you might want to post this in the main forum. Nobody really visits the NFL Forum anymore.

I would have posted there... but the board doesn't allow me to start a thread there unless I have 100 posts in. If a Mod would kindly move the thread to the main forum, it would be very much appreciated.

 

[Kontradiction]

I would have posted there... but the board doesn't allow me to start a thread there unless I have 100 posts in. If a Mod would kindly move the thread to the main forum, it would be very much appreciated.

If I was a mod, I'd move it. Since I'm not, I'll help you out by posting it in there myself.

 

[itsspelledfear]

Come to a game at the new stadium. Fans in Jersey are obnoxious, but at least they know football.

 

[Ryan]

There's one positive in terms of going to a Jets game instead of a Pats game: you have a GREAT chance of seeing the Packers win because, as we all know, the Jets SUCK.

In terms of fans, no doubt Patriots fans are a lot classier and will treat you with a good amount of respect. Maybe some jokes here and there but no real hostility. Jets fans might try to kill you in a bathroom or something.

And Foxboro is a lot nicer than the Armpit of America.

Anyway, good luck in the upcoming season. Gotta say, Rodgers is one of my favorite non-Pats players right now. I'll be cheering on GB every week except for the Pats game.

 

[UWCheesehead]

I may be coming out from Wisconsin as well, I hear the lots owned by the Pats around Gillette Stadium are a traffic nightmare after the game...and I want to tailgate for 3-4 hours beforehand so driving is a necessity. Any tips?

 

[jmt57]

I may be coming out from Wisconsin as well, I hear the lots owned by the Pats around Gillette Stadium are a traffic nightmare after the game...and I want to tailgate for 3-4 hours beforehand so driving is a necessity. Any tips?

I'd simply plan on being around for a while after the game. The stadium is not directly off an interstate, everybody has to travel on route one to get back to the highway. It's not the lots that are a problem, it's the fact that everyone has to use that one small road.

Gilette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts | MapQuest

And be aware that parking is not cheap either. Do yourself a favor and park before you get to the stadium; too many people go beyond the stadium and park. The further away you are the less time you will spend trying to exit, and could save yourself a little bit of money too.

 

[shirtsleeve]

I may be coming out from Wisconsin as well, I hear the lots owned by the Pats around Gillette Stadium are a traffic nightmare after the game...and I want to tailgate for 3-4 hours beforehand so driving is a necessity. Any tips?

Getting there early for a tailgate is definitely the way to go.

I'd simply plan on being around for a while after the game. The stadium is not directly off an interstate, everybody has to travel on route one to get back to the highway. It's not the lots that are a problem, it's the fact that everyone has to use that one small road.

Gilette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts | MapQuest

And be aware that parking is not cheap either. Do yourself a favor and park before you get to the stadium; too many people go beyond the stadium and park. The further away you are the less time you will spend trying to exit, and could save yourself a little bit of money too.

Good avice.

Also, spend the weekend. In Dec, Boston is a beautiful city to experience some holiday cheer and hospitality. Its a very cosmopolitan city, yet very European in character and feel. And its geographically small enough to get around on the T. (the MBTA transit system). Its about a half hour north of Foxboro or so. Boston is not cheap, but its world class in its hospitality industry.

 

[Sketchy]

Hi guys, I'm not sure if anyone will see this but I can't create a topic either so I'll just have to hope! I live in the UK but have been looking at coming over for this game - my first time! The only way I can see to get tickets is through online scalpers, I accept that I'll have to pay way over the odds for this but that's not a problem. I'm just wondering if anyone can help me out on the general legality of such things, had some worrying reading on google whilst doing my early research - don't want to get in trouble and the like!

Thanks in advance people.

 

[jmt57]

Hi guys, I'm not sure if anyone will see this but I can't create a topic either so I'll just have to hope! I live in the UK but have been looking at coming over for this game - my first time! The only way I can see to get tickets is through online scalpers, I accept that I'll have to pay way over the odds for this but that's not a problem. I'm just wondering if anyone can help me out on the general legality of such things, had some worrying reading on google whilst doing my early research - don't want to get in trouble and the like!

Thanks in advance people.

The only outlet that the NFL endorses, as far as I know, is the Ticket Exchange which is run by Ticketmaster. In order to participate with the Patriots you have to join their season ticket waiting list. To do that you will have to pay a $100 deposit, which is fully refundable.

https://teamexchange.ticketmaster.com/html/eventlist.htmI?l=EN&team=patriots&EVNT=EFP1213&CNTX=
Official New England Patriots - Stadium - Season Ticket Wait List Information

These prices are in my opinion the most reasonable (despite Ticketmaster pocketing 10% for their 'service'), you'll know the tickets are legit, and you'll know your transaction was legal. Plus I think you'll typically find the prices better than from places like StubHub or ebay.


Hope that helps, and hope you enjoy your visit.

 

[Brady2Welker]

Sorry for semi-hijacking this thread, but I was planning on going to this game as well and I had a question for anyone who's been to a home game, I recently got my tickets for the Packers Patriots game and I gotta say these are the most boring looking tickets I've ever seen. Literally just white with a faded-effect logo for Gillette in the background, it appears to be legit (both the texture and the way it's printed on it) but just the pure absence of anything on it as far as pictures go has me concerned that I may have been scammed. Anyone shed some light on this?

 

[jmt57]

Sorry for semi-hijacking this thread, but I was planning on going to this game as well and I had a question for anyone who's been to a home game, I recently got my tickets for the Packers Patriots game and I gotta say these are the most boring looking tickets I've ever seen. Literally just white with a faded-effect logo for Gillette in the background, it appears to be legit (both the texture and the way it's printed on it) but just the pure absence of anything on it as far as pictures go has me concerned that I may have been scammed. Anyone shed some light on this?

That does not sound good at all. Have been to multiple venues over the last decade and have never seen tickets that looked the way you described those.

Not sure what to suggest. Maybe a call to the Pats or NFL and act like you're being offered these tickets by a friend, and you want to make sure they're legit before you buy a plane ticket? Be the first in line in case somebody else has the same barcode? I'm not really sure how you determine if tickets are good or not before you try to enter the stadium.


By the way, you mentioned no picture on the ticket; if I recall correctly every ticket has the picture of a different player on it for each game. Is there no picture of any player on your ticket? If so, I'm pretty sure you have a bogus ticket.

 

[Brady2Welker]

I've had real problems finding any pictures of the physical tickets them selves to compare them to,

afc-ticketstub | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

is very similar to the tickets I have, and based on the rest of the photos on flickr album that the owner of said ticket was at the event. My ticket is very similar, only difference being the fact that it doesn't have the flying Elvis and instead of Patriots it says Gillette Stadium with the bridge light house picture, the logo of the venue.


Edit: I'm looking at these tickets really closely, they do have almost invisible watermarks on the back that are the Gillette Stadium logo printed across in a pattern taht avoids the 'hold your next function blah blah' section as well as the rights and conditions of the venue. I could only see them because of the light from my monitor, I've never noticed them before as they are very hard to see. On the front they include an account number (season ticket holder resell I believe) on the front, as well as a red printed code on the back along with the bar code, on both the stub and the ticket remainder. If these are counterfeit, someone went to a lot of work.

That said, I do need to do some digging to double check.


*edit* http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2412/2214002343_f97bb5922b.jpg?v=1201115128 After doing some more research I think just some of these tickets are printed in a very non flashy way. Interesting, but comforting lol.

 

[Dufflebagz]

I've had real problems finding any pictures of the physical tickets them selves to compare them to,

afc-ticketstub | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

is very similar to the tickets I have, and based on the rest of the photos on flickr album that the owner of said ticket was at the event. My ticket is very similar, only difference being the fact that it doesn't have the flying Elvis and instead of Patriots it says Gillette Stadium with the bridge light house picture, the logo of the venue.


Edit: I'm looking at these tickets really closely, they do have almost invisible watermarks on the back that are the Gillette Stadium logo printed across in a pattern taht avoids the 'hold your next function blah blah' section as well as the rights and conditions of the venue. I could only see them because of the light from my monitor, I've never noticed them before as they are very hard to see. On the front they include an account number (season ticket holder resell I believe) on the front, as well as a red printed code on the back along with the bar code, on both the stub and the ticket remainder. If these are counterfeit, someone went to a lot of work.

That said, I do need to do some digging to double check.


*edit* http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2412/2214002343_f97bb5922b.jpg?v=1201115128 After doing some more research I think just some of these tickets are printed in a very non flashy way. Interesting, but comforting lol.

I've only seen the "nicer" looking tickets for Pats games, but I know that other teams have the "nice" looking tickets and the tickets you described. I think ST holders get the "nice" tickets and if you buy them off ticketmaster you get the plain ones (not completely sure if that's the resoning). That being said, I know other teams do that so I would assume the Pats do too...but I can't be sure.