Gillette Stadium Seats in Sun & Shade - Find Patriots Tickets (2024)

Gillette Stadium is a fixture in the Boston area sports scene. It is the home of the New England Patriots, as well as the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer. It also hosts concerts and other sporting events throughout the year. Although located in the northeast, it can get quite warm in Foxboro during the summer soccer season and at the beginning of the NFL season. Later in the year, finding a seat in the sun may provide football fans with some comfort. You can use this article in combination with the seating chart to locate seats the Gillette Stadium seats in shade and sun.

Where are the seats in the shade and sun at Gillette Stadium?

Generally, the seats in the shade at Gillette Stadium are located:

• South End Zone: Early day shade in seats away from the field
• West Sideline: Shaded on the visitors’ side of the stadium

And the seats in the sun at Gillette Stadium are located:

• East Sideline: Sunny on the home side of the field
• North End Zone: Consistently sunny until evening

Unless scheduled for a national Sunday Night or Monday Night Football game, most Patriots games kick off around 1:00pm or 4:00pm. In the summer, Revolution soccer games may occasionally start early in the day, but most home games start in the evening. Concerts at Gillette Stadium are usually scheduled in the late afternoon. For specific details on shaded seats at different times of day, please continue reading.

Gillette Stadium Orientation to the Sun

Gillette Stadium is oriented northwest to southeast. By 1:00pm the sun is high in the sky over the south end zone. Over the course of the afternoon the sun gradually dips down behind the west (visitor) side of the stadium and eventually sets closer to the north end zone. This configuration makes the west sideline the “shade side” of the stadium.

The graphic below shows the approximate location of the sun throughout the day on July 1st.

Where to Buy Tickets

Ticketmaster is the official ticketing site for the Patriots and Revolution. It is also where you can buy Verified Resale tickets. Season ticket holders may also list unused seats on SeatGeek and Stubhub so consider checking all for prices and availability.

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Early Afternoon Gillette Stadium Games

Gillette Stadium was designed and built primarily as an NFL stadium in one of the coldest U.S. climates. As such there was not much concern given toward protecting fans or players from the sun. During the fall and winter months sun may even be preferrable as a means to keep warm. However, in the summer during soccer and concert season, it can get quite toasty in Massachusetts.

With the exception of the last few rows in the lower bowl which are directly under the overhang of the club level above, the vast majority of seats at Gillette Stadium are exposed to the elements. Around kickoff time for an early afternoon game, the only seats with a chance of being in the shade are those behind the south end zone. Not every seat in these sections will get shade for the entire game and your best bet is sections 120-122. As the game progresses seats along the west (visitor) side of the stadium will start to move into shade, starting with those farther south, like sections 123/223 and then moving north along the sideline.

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Late Afternoon Gillette Stadium Games

For a game that kicks off in the 4:00pm hour shade and sun are a little more predictable. If you’re looking for a seat in the shade, you’ll find it on the west (visitor) side of the field. Look for a seat in sections 125-138, 223-238 or 323-240. If you’re seeking sun, pick something on the exact opposite side of the field, like sections 101-115, 201-215 or 301-315.

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Evening Gillette Stadium Games

If the Patriots are scheduled for a Sunday Night or Monday Night Football game the lights will already be on by kickoff time so there’s no need to worry about the sun and shade. However sunset in Foxboro isn’t until well after 8:00pm during the summer, so Revolution fans and concertgoers will want to know exactly where the sun is shining.

The best place to find shade is on the west sideline or behind the end zones. As the sun sets, seats closer to the field on the east side will move into the shade first, while seats farther away will stay in the sun the longest. Since the Revolution typically only uses the lower and club levels most soccer fans will be out of the sun for most of the game. Make sure to check the seating configuration for the event you plan to attend to see which sections are in use.

Ready to get your Patriots or Revolution tickets?

Use the individual game links or click or tap here to see an upcoming list of games at Gillette Stadium.