USDAt Gillette the problem is not price, it is the road: access is via Route 1 only, and the town closes the cut-throughs your GPS suggests. One highway feeds a sold-out stadium in and out, which is why the team stopped charging to park and now pays fans to leave late.
Is parking in Foxborough actually free?
Yes, no day-of fee collection. Free lots came with the Patriots' 2023 announcement and have run since. The $40–$60 figures still circulating come from 2019: stadium-side $60, other lots $30.
The lot you cannot buy into on game day
Stadium-side passes are the only paid Patriots parking; for 2026 they are member-only and sold out. The last published price was $250 a season, or $25 a game; against a $143.05 resale average, the resale market explains itself.
Getting paid $50 to park: Lots 45 and 55B
Park in the 75-minute Be Paid to Park lots and the driver gets a $50 Visa gift card on entry, every game – the only such scheme in the NFL. Lot 45 takes I-495 traffic and Lot 55B I-95; any ticket holder qualifies, and both close 30 min after kickoff.
Lot times and the tailgating rules that stick
Lots open four hours before kickoff or showtime, two for Revolution, staying open two hours after day games but shutting immediately after night events. Tailgating starts when lots open, but open fires and fire pits are banned, grills must be contained and movable, and kegs, catering and pro tailgates are barred. No re-entry, no overnight parking.
Compare every way to get there
| Option | Price | Walk/ride | The catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| General lots, west of Route 1 | $0 | Marked walking routes | No pass; you join the exit queue |
| Be Paid to Park, Lots 45 & 55B | $0 + $50 Visa | Walk to the gates | Held 75 min; no entry post-kickoff |
| Stadium-side season pass | $250 season, $25 a game | Closest to gates | Members only; sold out |
| Stadium-side pass on resale | $143.05 average | Closest to gates | Moves with demand |
| MBTA event train | $20 round trip | 0.25mi from Foxboro | mTicket only; sells out |
Can you take the commuter rail to a game?
Yes, and it is the cleanest way in. Event trains run from South Station and Providence at $20 round trip, mTicket only, on sale 11:00 AM the Monday before. Foxboro has weekday service too, plus a change no other guide has caught: "$4 daily paid parking at Foxboro Station will begin on Sept. 1, 2026."
Rideshare, accessible lots and oversize vehicles
Zones differ by event: Patriots and Revolution use Lot 15 by the CVS Health Gate; concerts put rideshare in Lot 16 and taxis in Lot 5B. Accessible parking is free with a state placard; Lot 55 is the ADA delayed-exit lot, the only one with a shuttle. Oversize vehicles use Lot 52 via P10. Aggregators claim $150 covers RVs and buses, but the stadium publishes $150 for limos only.
What leaving Foxborough looks like
Fan-reported, not official: TripAdvisor reviewers describe 90 minutes to two hours in the lots after concerts, some two to three. So the 75-minute delayed exit is the wait you had anyway, with $50 attached. The quiet alternative is Foxboro Terminals, 208 North Street, free, a 10-minute walk along the painted purple line.
Which dates are cheapest this fall?
Patriots home dates: Sep 20 Pittsburgh, Oct 11 Las Vegas, Oct 18 Jets, Nov 8 Green Bay, Dec 6 Buffalo, Dec 10 Minnesota. Navy–Notre Dame is Oct 31 at noon, lots at 8:00 AM. Cheapest days are soccer days: Revolution on Sep 19, Oct 10, Oct 17, Oct 28, Nov 1.
Frequently asked questions
How much is parking at Gillette Stadium?
Free. All stadium-owned lots across Route 1 are $0 for Patriots, concerts and Revolution.
Do I need a parking pass?
Not for general parking. Passes cover only the stadium-side lots, sold out for 2026.
What time do the lots open?
Four hours before kickoff or showtime; two hours for Revolution.
Can you tailgate at Gillette Stadium?
Yes, once lots open. Open fires and fire pits are banned; grills must be contained.
Where do Uber and Lyft pick up?
Lot 15 for Patriots and Revolution; Lot 16 for concerts, taxis in Lot 5B.
What is the cheapest way to get to a Patriots game?
Free general parking; otherwise the $20 MBTA event train.