March 16, 2012

Past Venue: Foxboro Stadium

Foxboro, MA
aka Schaefer Stadium, Sullivan Stadium



Year opened: 1971
Capacity: 60,292

Names:
Schaefer Stadium, 1971-83
Sullivan Stadium, 1983-89
Foxboro Stadium, 1989-2002

Pro football tenants:
New England Patriots (NFL), 1971-2001
New England Colonials (ACFL), 1973

Postseason games hosted:
AFC Divisional playoff, Oilers 31 Patriots 14, Dec. 31, 1978
AFC Divisional playoff, Patriots 28 Steelers 3, Jan. 5, 1997
AFC Championship, Patriots 20 Jaguars 6, Jan. 12, 1997
AFC Wild Card playoff, Patriots 17 Dolphins 3, Dec. 28, 1997
AFC Divisional playoff, Patriots 16 Raiders 13, Jan. 19, 2002

Other tenants of note:
New England Tea Men (NASL), 1978-80
New England Revolution (MLS), 1996-2001

Notes: Used as venue for FIFA World Cup, 1994. Built on land originally donated by owners of the Bay State Raceway, midway between Boston and Providence, RI. Stadium was built without public funding (and with few amenities) and was originally named for the Schaefer Brewing Co. (an early instance of the selling of naming rights). Was renamed in 1983 for the Sullivan family that originally owned the Patriots and, after they sold the club, reverted to name of locale. Original PolyTurf surface was converted to AstroTurf and, in 1991, to grass. First football game was a preseason contest between the Patriots and New York Giants, Aug. 15, 1971. Occasionally used as home venue by Boston College.

Fate: Demolished in 2002, site became a parking lot for Gillette Stadium.

[Updated 2/3/14]