The Traveling Wheelchair

One Patriot Place
Foxborough, MA 02035-1388
Tickets: 508-543-1776
Administration: 508-543-8200
Website: http://www.gillettestadium.com/
2009 You Tube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhfpPhdBKsA

I’ve been a loyal New England Patriot’s fan my whole life and remember well the days of Steve Grogan, Tony Eason, Hugh Millen, Scott Zolak and Drew Bledsoe. I’ve been to many games with my family before I was disabled as well as after so I decided it would be a good idea to do a wheelchair accessibility review of Gillette Stadium. 

Gillette Stadium opened in 2002 and is much more wheelchair friendly than the old Foxboro/Schaffer Stadium was. The older stadium only had wheelchair seating in the far end zone which had rowdy but fun group of fans to cheer with. Gillette Stadium now has wheelchair seating at all levels throughout the stadium.

Tickets have been much harder to come by since the Pats started winning Super Bowls so I haven’t been able to get a ticket for the past few years and is why I really enjoyed going to  CBS Scene at  Patriot Place and getting a great view of the Gillette Stadium again!

I recently went to the ticket booth at the stadium and a ticket agent told me that All 2008 stadium seating have been SOLD OUT since May. If you are interested in purchasing wheelchair seating for next year you will need to purchase your ticket within the first two weeks they go on sale in early May. The ticket agent told me that all regular seats are usually sold out two days after tickets go on sale and wheelchair seats are usually sold out two weeks after they go on sale. You should call Gillette Stadium in April to find out what day in May tickets go on sale. I’ve already put it on my list of things to do in April!

The cost of a wheelchair ticket ranges from $65 to $167 and you are allowed to purchase up to 4 companion tickets for friends to sit with you.

When it comes to parking you should never have a problem since there is such a large parking lot reserved just for handicap parking and it is right in front of the main entry gates. All persons need to go through security to enter the stadium. I’ve never had a problem getting through security but they may check your backpack on your wheelchair.

There are 3 levels of seating and all have some wheelchair accessible seats. Gillette Stadium has 3 access ramps at 3 locations of the stadium that take you to all levels. I would recommend you bring a Power Chair or a friend to help push your wheelchair up these access ramps for it is steep and a long way to propel your own wheelchair.  Persons in wheelchairs are allowed to take the ELEVATOR to the 1st and 3rd level but ONLY before and after the game. During the game the elevator is only to be used by Club Members so you will have to wheel up or down the access ramp to get to another level.

I think the 1st level is the most wheelchair accessible and the easiest to get to. Concession stands and restrooms are located on the 1st and 3rd level only. If you are seated on the 2nd level you will need to wheel up or down the access ramp to get to a restroom or concession stand.

All the concession stands are of an accessible height and easy to reach your food or drinks. The condiments are also placed on an accessible counter. All the vendors selling merchandise have accessible counters too!

All the public restrooms I’ve been in are very spacious and have large handicap stalls and accessible sinks with all the ADA requirements met. Behind all the accessible seating is a ADA/Family restroom which is only for families or persons with disabilities to use. It is spacious and fully ADA compliant.

While you’re here don’t forget to check out ‘The Hall’ at Patriots Place. It’s located right next to the stadium and fully wheelchair accessible.
 
I give Gillette Stadium FIVE STARS for wheelchair accessibility. The only improvement I think they could make is to allow persons in wheelchairs to take the ELEVATOR at all times during the game and not just before and after the game.