Notre Dame football is coming to Foxborough for the first time ever, and the Fighting Irish bring a 30.5-point betting edge over Navy into a Gillette Stadium matchup set for noon Eastern on Saturday, October 31. It is a historic booking for the venue, which has never hosted a Notre Dame game before, and stadium officials and local reporters are already laying out detailed guidance for fans trying to navigate the trip.
The game marks the first time the Notre Dame-Navy rivalry has been played at Gillette Stadium, and it doubles as the Fighting Irish's first-ever appearance in Foxborough, according to Boston 25 News. Kickoff is locked in for noon, with the stadium listing a capacity of 64,628, as reported by the South Bend Tribune. Notre Dame enters as a heavy 30.5-point favorite and holds a commanding 82-13-1 edge in the all-time series, per the same outlet, with the teams' most recent meeting ending in a 49-10 Fighting Irish win at Notre Dame Stadium.
Gates, Fan Fest and the Midshipmen March-On
Gillette Stadium parking lots open at 8 a.m. on game day, with stadium gates following at 10 a.m., Boston 25 News reports. An official fan fest kicks off outside the stadium that same morning at 8 a.m., and ticket holders are invited to take part before the gates even open. Around 11:40 a.m., the United States Naval Academy's Brigade of Midshipmen is expected to march onto the field in formation ahead of kickoff.
Fans can enter through the Bank of America, CVS Health, and Ticketmaster gates, while club and suite ticket holders are directed to the E1, E2, W1, W2, W3, or W4 entrances, according to Boston 25 News. ADA entry is available through the east Ticketmaster gate, the west Bank of America gate, and the W2/W3 entrances. Stadium officials are encouraging fans to allow plenty of time when traveling near the stadium, since traffic restrictions will be in place on local roads before and after the game.
Parking, Rideshare and Taxi Logistics
Free general parking for ticket holders is available on the opposite side of Route 1 from the stadium, according to Gillette Stadium's transportation page. Those who'd rather park closer, on the stadium side of Route 1, can buy prepaid parking passes starting at $75, per Boston 25 News. ADA parking is accessible from P1 when arriving from the north and from P7 when arriving from the south.
Drivers heading to the game need to use I-95, I-495, or Route 140 to reach Route 1 and the stadium, Boston 25 News notes. Oversize vehicle parking is located in Lot 52, accessible from P10 North and P10 South, and the stadium's transportation page confirms that oversize vehicle parking is included in the price of the event ticket. Parking details can vary for events outside the stadium's standard event guides, the venue's site cautions, so fans should double-check specifics before heading out.
Rideshare users have a specific spot to look for: the designated Uber and Lyft drop-off and pickup location is Lot 15, near the CVS Health Gate, per the stadium's transportation page. Fans can also schedule drop-offs and pickups in Lot 16. Taxi riders should head instead to the designated stand in Lot 5B on the east side of the stadium, where cabs will be available once the game wraps up.
One rule bears repeating for anyone tempted to save a few minutes: dropping off or picking up event-goers directly on Route 1 is against the law, the stadium's transportation page states. Fans driving oversized vehicles or looking for overflow options can also check the Foxboro Terminals lot at 208 North Street.
How to Follow the Game From South Bend
For Notre Dame fans who can't make the trip to Massachusetts, the game will be broadcast on WSBT at 960 AM and 96.1 FM, as well as on WNSN at 101.5 FM, according to the South Bend Tribune. Between the historic Foxborough setting, the Brigade of Midshipmen's pregame march-on, and a lopsided point spread, Saturday's matchup gives both fan bases plenty to watch for before the ball is even kicked off.
