Heading to my first pats game in December!

Trey Davison · May 26, 2016

Afternoon fellow Patriots fanatics! This is my first go with posting a tread (or chat room for that matter) so I hope I'm not breaking any rules. If I am please let me know. Just a die hard patriot looking to gain some knowledge. Thanks!

Been a Patriots fan since 1998 when my uncle purchased me a DB jersey to anger my mother (PIT fan) and my father (MIA fan) and my love for this club grows stronger by the day. Finally at the age of 24 me and my wife are planing out expensive trip to Foxboro for the Ravens game. I know finding tickets will be tough but am confident we will snag a pair. I've read about arriving at gate open to snag a spot on main lot and the horrendous traffic that will follow.

I guess my question is from some of you Foxboro vets out there is what are the do's and donts of an out of town pats fan? Also, I've read about out of town fans meeting up and enjoying tailgating together. How can I contact the people to set that up? I know I'm early being mid off season but want to be prepared. We can obviously contribute to the fun with drinks and conversation.

I appreciate the help guys. Just a die hard life long memeber of the greatest team in professional sports who's dream of seeing Gillete from the inside will finally come true! GO PATS!!!!!

Froob · May 26, 2016

Be sure to start a "learn the rules" chant after every Ravens penalty.

Galeb · May 26, 2016

Trey Davison said:
Afternoon fellow Patriots fanatics! This is my first go with posting a tread (or chat room for that matter) so I hope I'm not breaking any rules. If I am please let me know. Just a die hard patriot looking to gain some knowledge. Thanks!

Been a Patriots fan since 1998 when my uncle purchased me a DB jersey to anger my mother (PIT fan) and my father (MIA fan) and my love for this club grows stronger by the day. Finally at the age of 24 me and my wife are planing out expensive trip to Foxboro for the Ravens game. I know finding tickets will be tough but am confident we will snag a pair. I've read about arriving at gate open to snag a spot on main lot and the horrendous traffic that will follow.

I guess my question is from some of you Foxboro vets out there is what are the do's and donts of an out of town pats fan? Also, I've read about out of town fans meeting up and enjoying tailgating together. How can I contact the people to set that up? I know I'm early being mid off season but want to be prepared. We can obviously contribute to the fun with drinks and conversation.

I appreciate the help guys. Just a die hard life long memeber of the greatest team in professional sports who's dream of seeing Gillete from the inside will finally come true! GO PATS!!!!!

Welcome. I believe there is a meet up sub forum on this board.

Proper etiquette in the stadium requires you to cheer loudly whenever the other teams offense is lined up.

Keep it clean, but don't be afraid to razz opposing team fans players and coaches if within ear shot.

Don't drink much unless you want to spend most of your time waiting in line for the bathroom.

Trey Davison · May 26, 2016

Galeb said:
Welcome. I believe there is a meet up sub forum on this board.

Proper etiquette in the stadium requires you to cheer loudly whenever the other teams offense is lined up.

Keep it clean, but don't be afraid to razz opposing team fans players and coaches if within ear shot.

Don't drink much unless you want to spend most of your time waiting in line for the bathroom.

I have the bladder of a pea so that's very helpful haha

ralmat55 · May 26, 2016

Trey Davison said:
I have the bladder of a pea so that's very helpful haha

Me too. I went to the Chief playoff game which was my first game. We arrived early and I could not understand why there was a separate entrance and exit to the men's room in my section. I found out at halftime when I spent the whole time standing in line waiting my turn.

It was a better experience than my first trip to Fenway in 1973 however. Think I still am traumatized by that experience as a 10 year old. Had used an outhouse before but nothing prepared me for the Fenway trough.

signbabybrady · May 26, 2016

I would recommend going into the stadium early. I like to watch warm ups so we go in an hour early. If you don't care for that I'ld still plan on going in 20-30 min early as the lines at gates can get backed up.

Trey Davison · May 26, 2016

signbabybrady said:
I would recommend going into the stadium early. I like to watch warm ups so we go in an hour early. If you don't care for that I'ld still plan on going in 20-30 min early as the lines at gates can get backed up.

Yeah I'll be there early haha been waiting my whole life I'll probably be camping out the night before haha thanks for the tip now I know I can see warm ups

deters · May 26, 2016

Trey Davison said:
Yeah I'll be there early haha been waiting my whole life I'll probably be camping out the night before haha thanks for the tip now I know I can see warm ups

Go early and do the HOF. It's great. Traffic is bad but not horrible. I was out of the game and at the hotel in less than an hour and that was from parking in the very front rows.

As for tickets, go onto ticketmaster the very second they open up (normally in July) and you should be able to get some good seats for face value. Just make sure your at the PC the minute they open and be quick. Plan out the seats you want as top 3 choices ahead of time. I did this and had no problem getting seats near the 40 lower bowl home side for the Cinci game in 2014.

Tailgate scene was big. Everyone was very friendly and you could jump into most tailgates and shoot the breeze.

Patriots place is nice to walk. Definitely walk around and find best places to take pics of the stadium. Good location is the balcony near CBS scene.

Trey Davison · May 26, 2016

deters said:
Go early and do the HOF. It's great. Traffic is bad but not horrible. I was out of the game and at the hotel in less than an hour and that was from parking in the very front rows.

As for tickets, go onto ticketmaster the very second they open up (normally in July) and you should be able to get some good seats for face value. Just make sure your at the PC the minute they open and be quick. Plan out the seats you want as top 3 choices ahead of time. I did this and had no problem getting seats near the 40 lower bowl home side for the Cinci game in 2014.

Tailgate scene was big. Everyone was very friendly and you could jump into most tailgates and shoot the breeze.

Patriots place is nice to walk. Definitely walk around and find best places to take pics of the stadium. Good location is the balcony near CBS scene.

Yeah we're flying in Saturday and the game is Monday night. Our plan is go do the hall and patriot place Sunday and Monday is all tailgating. I've heard we will just bring a peace offering( Jack Daniels) and hopefully we will be alright. As of tickets we found out people sell them ahead of time on Stubhub. Haha thanks a lot!

rkarp1 · May 27, 2016

if it is your first trip to the area, I would definitely recommend the HOF and well as Pat Place.
I would suggest staying in Providence as there is much to do as well as see instead of Foxboro.
Are you driving to the stadium or taking other transportation. Monday night traffic is really, really horrible. prepare to sit in the lot for 2 hours or so
dress appropriately. Dec 12th could be freezing (although recent Dec night games have not been)
I agree with the poster above. go into the stadium early and watch the warm ups. tail gating is, well tail gating. you can drink and bbq most anytime. how many times will you be in Gillette. take it in as long as possible

Trey Davison · May 27, 2016

rkarp1 said:
if it is your first trip to the area, I would definitely recommend the HOF and well as Pat Place.
I would suggest staying in Providence as there is much to do as well as see instead of Foxboro.
Are you driving to the stadium or taking other transportation. Monday night traffic is really, really horrible. prepare to sit in the lot for 2 hours or so
dress appropriately. Dec 12th could be freezing (although recent Dec night games have not been)
I agree with the poster above. go into the stadium early and watch the warm ups. tail gating is, well tail gating. you can drink and bbq most anytime. how many times will you be in Gillette. take it in as long as possible

Thanks for the heads up. We're staying in Boston Saturday night and Sunday night and then Foxboro for Monday night. The plan is to spend most of the day sat exploring Boston. Sunday is dedicated to seeing Patriot Place as well as the Hall. I can't miss either. I'm coming from Jacksonville Florida so I'll be doing anything and everything. Very excited for our Fenway Park tour as well. Love the Sox!

I know gates should be open around 4 for the game and we plan on being their when they open. We won't bring tailgating supplies other than some liquor and money to tag in with a group like I've read is a normal thing. I've dreamed of Gillette Stadium for a long time. Moment gates open I'm going in for warmups. Luckily our hotel isn't far from the stadium so we can just tailgate after until the traffic clears. Give me all the can't miss local spots you have because I'm doing everything I can haha!!!

BelichickFan · May 27, 2016

I posted a similar thread around September, there was good advice there you may want to look for it. The search feature doesn't seem to have an easy way to search threads started by a specific user, unfortunately.

Anyway, I stayed at Red Roof Inn in Mansfield, there may be better choices but this was great for me, 15 or so minutes from Foxboro on mostly quiet roads. My advice for a night game is to remember how you got in, as stupid as it sounds, I got turned around coming out and in the dark it was difficult to find my way back to the lot I had parked in.

Ah - here you go, some advice in here from September especially from PatsDeb on the second page :

Advice for Gameday and Patriots Place

Trey Davison · May 27, 2016

Does anybody know when season ticket holders receive their tickets. Just purchased 2 tickets in 124 and am trying to see when they should be shipped out. I know every team is different either sending them all out at once or each week. Thanks guys!

kmac14 · May 27, 2016

Trey Davison said:
Does anybody know when season ticket holders receive their tickets. Just purchased 2 tickets in 124 and am trying to see when they should be shipped out. I know every team is different either sending them all out at once or each week. Thanks guys!

Pats do send out season tickets all at once in a booklet. I expect mine around the end of July.

Galeb · May 27, 2016

Trey Davison said:
Thanks for the heads up. We're staying in Boston Saturday night and Sunday night and then Foxboro for Monday night. The plan is to spend most of the day sat exploring Boston. Sunday is dedicated to seeing Patriot Place as well as the Hall. I can't miss either. I'm coming from Jacksonville Florida so I'll be doing anything and everything. Very excited for our Fenway Park tour as well. Love the Sox!

I know gates should be open around 4 for the game and we plan on being their when they open. We won't bring tailgating supplies other than some liquor and money to tag in with a group like I've read is a normal thing. I've dreamed of Gillette Stadium for a long time. Moment gates open I'm going in for warmups. Luckily our hotel isn't far from the stadium so we can just tailgate after until the traffic clears. Give me all the can't miss local spots you have because I'm doing everything I can haha!!!

If you are staying at the Renaissance, they will charge you for the full parking fee which is $50 or $60.

oldrover · May 27, 2016

Galeb said:
Don't drink much unless you want to spend most of your time waiting in line for the bathroom.

Or...

Problem solved!

Trey Davison · May 27, 2016

Galeb said:
If you are staying at the Renaissance, they will charge you for the full parking fee which is $50 or $60.

No they are pricey and booked up for that weekend. Hawthorne I believe.

Brady_to_Moss · May 29, 2016

signbabybrady said:
I would recommend going into the stadium early. I like to watch warm ups so we go in an hour early. If you don't care for that I'ld still plan on going in 20-30 min early as the lines at gates can get backed up.

With the new security..lines to get in at certain times..are x10 worse than any stadium traffic

Trey Davison · May 30, 2016

Brady_to_Moss said:
With the new security..lines to get in at certain times..are x10 worse than any stadium traffic

Current plan which can change no problem is to get up to the stadium around 300just to be sure. I don't mind waiting outside until gates open to park or whatever. Whenever stadium opens up I want to be first in line. Are lines bad at both gates right at opening or later on? What time would the stadium itself open up on a Monday night game?

Brady_to_Moss · May 30, 2016

Trey Davison said:
Current plan which can change no problem is to get up to the stadium around 300just to be sure. I don't mind waiting outside until gates open to park or whatever. Whenever stadium opens up I want to be first in line. Are lines bad at both gates right at opening or later on? What time would the stadium itself open up on a Monday night game?

Stadium i believe is open 1.5 or 2 hours before the game. I usually start walking up hour and 15 before game time (25 min walk) and get in my seats like 30-40 or so before

Heading to my first pats game in December!

Rookie

Independent Investigator & pliable af

Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract

Rookie

2nd Team Getting Their First Start

Pro Bowl Player

Rookie

In the Starting Line-Up

Rookie

On the Game Day Roster

Rookie

PatsFans.com Supporter

Rookie

On the Game Day Roster

Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract

"You're gonna have to serve somebody..."

Rookie

28-3....

Rookie

28-3....

Similar threads