Hotels for Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots

An AFC matchup between two franchises with a long playoff history, this early-season Sunday clash carries extra weight given how often these two have met in postseason football over the years. Expect a heavy travel presence from visiting supporters, given the rivalry's reputation, mixed among the home crowd. Early-season form is still being read, so both sides will be treating this as an early measuring stick.

Boston joined the AFL as a charter member in 1960 as the Patriots, honouring the region's revolutionary war history, and the team took the New England name in 1971 to reflect its broader regional fanbase. The Patriots were a middling franchise for four decades until quarterback Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick built a dynasty from 2001 onward, winning six Super Bowls together, the most of any quarterback-coach pairing in NFL history.

Their partnership included an unlikely comeback from a 28-3 deficit to win Super Bowl LI. Gillette Stadium in Foxborough has been home throughout that era, and the Patriots' run remains the benchmark against which sustained NFL success is measured.

Home to the New England Patriots, Gillette Stadium sits at Patriot Place in Foxborough, a large retail and entertainment complex roughly midway between Boston and Providence. Shops, restaurants and a hotel wrap the stadium, making it a self-contained destination. MBTA commuter rail runs matchday trains from Boston's South Station directly to Foxborough, a genuine rarity for a suburban US stadium. Booking a room nearby or in Boston lets you ride the train in and enjoy the Patriot Place complex before and after.