Team increasing ticket prices stadium-wide
The Patriots are raising ticket prices for the 2023 season and overhauling their parking program for lots around Gillette Stadium, the team told seasonticket holders Wednesday.
This marks the first stadium-wide price hike in 15 years, according to the Patriots. In its email to season-ticket holders, the team did not cite a reason for the change, and it’s unknown exactly how much more fans will pay. The Patriots annually ranked among the NFL’s most expensive tickets prior to the announced hike.
To help offset the price increase, the Patriots are offering free parking in stadium-owned lots and to pay fans who leave their cars in delayed-release lots on game days. From the team’s message to seasonticket holders:
FREE GENERAL PARKING >> To improve the efficiency of arriving traffic, parking will be free in all stadiumowned general parking lots (across Route 1 from the stadium).
BE PAID TO PARK >> Those who choose to park in our 75-minute delayed-release lot will earn a $50 Visa gift card when entering the lot.
STADIUM-SIDE PREPAID PARKING >> Season Ticket Members have the option to purchase an electronic and transferable season parking pass for $225 ($25 per game).
According to the Patriots, 15% of the sections inside Gillette Stadium will see their first price hike since 2008, 44% will experience a second bump and the remaining 41% will see a third. Gillette Stadium is currently undergoing a $225 million renovation that is expected to be completed before the start of the 2023 season.
The Patriots will play eight regular-season home games in Foxboro and one preseason game. The team will also “host” a game in Germany at a time and against an opponent TBD.
After the end of a disappointing 2022 season, Patriots owner Robert Kraft and team president Jonathan Kraft issued a letter to season-ticket holders promising change in 2023. Among other remarks, they wrote: “While we always want to be playing games with playoff implications in Week 18, our expectation was to perform better throughout the season and to advance through the playoffs. We can assure you that no one in our organization is satisfied with the results from this past season.
“In the weeks ahead, we will be making critical evaluations of all elements of our football operation as we strive to improve and return to the playoffs next year. When we welcome you back for the 2023 season, we anticipate presenting you with an improved product on the field, as well as many exciting new features and additions to Gillette Stadium.
“You have helped create a dominant home-field advantage over the past 20 years and we look forward to creating many more memorable moments in the years ahead.”
Pats release 3
The Patriots waived wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson, kicker Quinn Nordin and defensive back Tae Hayes on Wednesday.
Hayes was the only player of the three to see game action last season, appearing in the Patriots’ last two games. He totaled three tackles over a win against Miami and a loss at Buffalo. The Pats signed Hayes to their practice squad on Dec. 27, then their active roster four days later as an injury replacement.
The 5-foot-9, 190-pounder played five games for the Panthers earlier in the year.
Wilkerson, a third-year veteran, missed the entire 2022 season on injured reserve. While fighting for a roster spot, he suffered a concussion during the preseason and never returned.
The Patriots elevated Wilkerson, who’s spent most of his career on the practice squad, for three games in 2021 and one game in the 2020 season.
Nordin, 24, spent all last year on the Non-Football Injury list. The Patriots originally signed him as a rookie free agent in May 2021. He made the 53-man roster, but was inactive for 11 games, received his release and finished the season on IR.
The Patriots are down to 59 players under contract.