The regular NFL (National Football League) season is right around the corner. It all kicks off on the first Monday of September, which this year is September 2nd, and all 256 games of the season run all the way until December or early January. Boston is a major sports city, which you’ll be able to feel as soon as you step foot here. If you find yourself in New England during the coming months, one of the best ways to get into the spirit of the city is to get yourself to a Patriots game. We’ve made a short guide on how to attend one as stress-free as possible.

With 53 Super Bowl rings to their name, the Patriots are a truly beloved — and if you’re from outside of New England, hated — football team. Their home was at Foxboro Stadium, which is in Foxborough, Massachusetts about 28 miles southwest of Boston. This stadium, which opened in 1971, seats almost 67,000 spectators and was also the home venue for the MLS (Major League Soccer) New England Revolution. Now, the Patriots are located at Gillette Stadium, also in Foxborough, a state-of-the-art stadium which seats almost 66,000 fans, including almost 6,000 club seats and 89 luxury suites.

Visiting Gillette is a full experience. If you’ve managed to score tickets — check Ticketmaster if not, or TickPick for resale — when you’re planning your trip, there are a few things you’ll need to be aware of. First off, the venue is incredibly family-friendly, so feel free to bring little ones. That being said, there’s also alcohol on sale for those 21 and up, and if you plan on partaking you’ll want to make sure you have arranged a ride home.

Part of football game tradition is taking part in the tailgating, or parking lot barbecue and party, which begins as soon as the gates open. If you’re not into roughing it outside with the masses, Splitsville Luxury Lanes is a new pregame and postgame venue, which also hosts The Sports Hub, the official radio program of the Patriots, but lines for tables are long, and they do not accept reservations on game days. If neither of these suffices, there are plenty of other nearby options for food.

Finally, have fun! Visit The Hall at Patriots Place to take in Patriots lore and history, engage with the other Patriots fans around you, and most importantly, enjoy the game. Make sure to contact GO Boston for transportation to and from the venue, keeping your trip as low-stress as possible.

Photo Credit:  Wikimedia