Gillette Stadium Seats in Sun & Shade

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Gillette Stadium is a fixture in the Greater Boston area’s sports scene. It is the home of the New England Patriots, as well as the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer. 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 Gillette Stadium seating chart to locate seats in both the shade and the sun.

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

As a general rule, the seats in the shade at Gillette Stadium are located:

On the visitor (west) side of the field
Behind the south end zone and farther from the field

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

On the home (east) side of the field
Behind the north end zone

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. For specific details on which sections to look for tickets, keep reading.

Gillette Stadium Orientation to the Sun

Gillette Stadium is oriented in a northwest to southeast direction. 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 visitor side of the stadium and eventually sets closer to the north end zone.

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

Shade and Sun at CMGI Field in Foxboro Click or tap here to see an interactive seating chart and seat views at Gillette Stadium.

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 climates of the U.S. As such there was not much concern given toward protecting fans or players from the sun. During the fall and winter months sun is probably preferrable to shade in Foxboro as a means to keep warm. However, in the summer during the New England Revolution 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 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 visitor sideline.

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

For a Patriots 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 visitor (west) side of the field. Look for a ticket in sections 125-138, 223-238 or 323-240. If you’re looking for sun, pick something on the exact opposite side of the field, like sections 101-115, 201-215 or 301-315.

Shadows on the stands at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro Massachusetts

By late afternoon seats on the west side of the stadium are in the shade and seats on the east side are in the sun. Steve Broer / Shutterstock.com

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 will want to know exactly where the sun is shining. 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.

Ready to get your Patriots or Revolution tickets?

Use the individual game links on the side (or middle of the page on mobile) or click or tap here to see an upcoming list of games at Gillette Stadium. Learn about why we recommend buying tickets on SeatGeek.

Enjoy the game!