New England Patriots Highlight Gillette Stadium Upgrades For 2023

Over 20 years beyond Gillette Stadium opening its lighthouse at the north end, the home to the New England Patriots will unveil a completely new signature lighthouse overlooking the stadium, this standing 218 feet tall with a 360-degree observation deck. It all comes as part of a $250 million upgrade to Gillette Stadium that Kraft Sports + Entertainment says will be ready in time for the Patriots to begin 2023 play on Sept. 10.

Along with the signature lighthouse feature, the north end will receive a complete upgrade that offers a newly designed Enel Plaza and grand staircase, the largest outdoor curved-radius videoboard at a sports venue, full stadium connections on all levels, a remodeled Row of Honor, new premium spaces, a G-P Atrium and a variety of improved fan amenities.

“We are excited to showcase the work that began back in January of 2022,” says Jen Ferron, Kraft Sports + Entertainment chief marketing officer.

Jim Nolan, Kraft Sports + Entertainment chief operating officer, says the project to update the 2002-opened Gillette Stadium focused on impacting fans through improved access around the building, premium spaces, the videoboard and new food and beverage locations. “The fan journey has been enhanced,” he says.

Originally built for $325 million and still the only NFL stadium privately financed and without personal seat licenses, the owners put more than $300 million into the building in its first two decades. The additional $250 million is the largest investment since opening.

The signature lighthouse will rise 22 stories high and features a 360-degree observation deck with views extending to Foxborough Center and the Boston and Providence skylines. In contrast to the previous lighthouse, the new version will come operational and allow visitors year-round.

The Enel Plaza upgrade includes a grand staircase, and the north end zone project joins the west and east sides of the stadium to complete a 360-degree connection on all levels of the stadium, both the main and upper concourses.

The lower concourse will feature three glass-enclosed markets, each with Zippin technology for grab-and-go concession convenience. Additional features include self-pouring beer kiosks, additional food selections, a refurbished merchandise location, new restrooms and two walk-up bars.

The new videoboard is 370 feet by 60 feet, almost half an acre in size and five larger than the board it replaces.

The Row of Honor includes an expanded seating area to honor military veterans.

Sitting above the new Enel Plaza and under the new videoboard, the 50,000-square-foot glass-enclosed G-P Atrium offers new hospitality space. The new premium Celebration Beer Hall has a 4,000-square-foot interior and a 2,000-square-foot outdoor patio that Patriots and Revolution players will walk by as they head to the field.