On Oct. 1, 2023, the New England Patriots officially opened a new and improved lighthouse to the public. The lighthouse was updated as part of the North End renovation expansion project, unveiled on Sept. 8, 2023.
The lighthouse is located behind the north end zone at Gillette Stadium. The observation deck provides a view of the playing field and the surrounding horizon.
Why Do the New England Patriots Have a Lighthouse?
New England, which includes six states in the northeast, has more than 160 lighthouses. Boston Light — the oldest continually used and last-staffed lighthouse in the country — dates back to 1716.
During Patriots and the MLS New England Revolution games, the lighthouse will be part of the fan experience, serving as an allocation for key celebratory moments and providing new aspects of the game-day experience.
The team also added the largest outdoor curved-radius video board at a sports venue in the country, a new fan plaza, a remodeled Row of Honor, and additional restrooms and bars.
Was There Another Lighthouse Before This Season?
The previous lighthouse, which opened with Gillette Stadium in 2002, was torn down in May 2022 to free up land for the project. The structure was 12 stories high, which is 88 feet shorter than the new lighthouse. The Patriots also feature two renderings of Gillette Stadium’s lighthouse-themed logo on the field at the 50-yard line just inside each sideline.
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Kraft Sports + Entertainment chief marketing officer Jen Ferron said, “The previous lighthouse served as an iconic architectural element of our stadium for 20 years, so it was important to incorporate a functional component into our renovation.”
What Can Visitors Do at the Lighthouse?
The structure is 22 stories tall, and the Patriots say it’s the tallest non-traditional lighthouse in the United States. A 360-degree observation deck gives visitors a view of the Boston and Providence skylines.
The observation deck is named the Lookout, and guests will have a chance to take photos from two incredible angles.
Views from the new lighthouse 😍@GilletteStadium | #ForeverNE pic.twitter.com/UbhEVYvuRl
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 10, 2023
The first is from a stationary camera affixed to the lighthouse, which captures their visit to Gillette Stadium and the field in the background.
The second is from an elevated platform to show guests posing from the top of the lighthouse and can even be turned into a GIF that can be shared on the social media platform of their choice.
Is the Lighthouse Open to the Public?
The Gillette Stadium Lighthouse Experience is open to the public all year but will be closed when Gillette Stadium is hosting private events or stadium events like a Patriots game or concerts. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children 10 and under. Tickets can only be purchased on the day of the visit. For more information, check out the official website of the Lighthouse Experience.
