Patriots vs. Saints at Gillette Stadium: What You Need to Know

FOXBOROUGH, MA — With training camp in full swing and players back to work, the Patriots will get some football under their belt with the start of the preseason.

The team will host the New Orleans Saints Thursday night at Gillette Stadium in the first preseason game of the year. The teams spent this week holding joint-practices as part of training camp at the stadium.

As preseason games go, this one is expected to be more of the same with a couple series from the starters and a look at players on the bubble.

To help you get ready for the game, here's what you need to know:

KICKOFF

The Aug. 11 game at Gillette Stadium is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

TELEVISION: This week’s game will be shown locally on WBZ-TV CBS. Dan Roche and former Patriots tight end Christian Fauria will be in the broadcast booth, former Patriots linebacker Matt Chatham and Steve Burton will provide sideline analysis, and Patriots Football Weekly’s beatwriters Paul Perillo and Andy Hart will also provide insight and analysis.

RADIO: WBZ-FM 98.5 The Sports Hub is the official radio station of the New England Patriots. Bob Socci will call the game along side Scott Zolak.

PARKING LOT AND TRAINS

Gillette Stadium parking lots open at 3:30 p.m. Parking is $40 for cars and motorcycles and $150 for buses, RVs and limos. The full rules and regulations can be seen on the stadium's website.

Fans driving to the game are encouraged to arrive early and allow for plenty of time to get around the stadium. The usual traffic restrictions will be in place on local roads before and after the game. Fans attending the game must use Interstate 95, Interstate 495, or Route 140 to access Route 1 and Gillette Stadium.

The MBTA Commuter Rail will provide special train service from South Station in Boston and from the TF Green Airport in Warwick, R.I. to Gillette Stadium all season long. The stadium's clear bag policy will be in effect on the train and no personal items may be left on the trains during the game. All trains leave 30 minutes after the end of the game.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchase using the MBTA mTicket app.

South Station Train Departure Schedule

• South Station - 5:35 p.m.
• Back Bay - 5:40 p.m.
• Dedham Corp. - 5:55 p.m.
• Arrival - 6:40 p.m.

TF Green Airport Departure Schedule

• TF Green Airport: 4:35 p.m.
• Providence: 5:00 p.m.
• South Attleboro: 5:10 p.m.
• Attleboro: 5:20 p.m.
• Mansfield: 5:30 p.m.
• Arrival: 6:00 p.m.

CLEAR BAG POLICY

Fans attending the game are reminded that the Gillette Stadium Clear Bag Policy will be in effect at every game throughout the 2016 season. That policy states that all bags entering the stadium must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and no larger than 12” x 6” x 12”. Fans can use a one-gallon clear (see-through) plastic freezer bag. In addition, small wristlets or handheld wallets with or without a handle or strap (not to exceed 8” x 5” x 2”) may be carried into the stadium along with one of the clear bag options. Prohibited items include, but are not limited to: non see-through purses larger than a small clutch bag, coolers, briefcases, backpacks, fanny packs, cinch sacks, luggage of any kind, seat cushions, computer bags and camera bags or any bag larger than the permissible size.

More information is available on the Gillette Stadium website.

SERIES HISTORY

Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft’s first game as owner of the team was a 1994 preseason game at Foxboro Stadium against the Saints. The Patriots won that game 24-6

The two teams will meet this week for the 12th preseason meeting and for second straight season in a preseason contest. Last season, the Patriots held joint practice sessions with New Orleans at their training camp site in West Virginia prior to a Week 2 preseason game in New Orleans on Aug. 22, a game won by the Patriots 26-24.

The Patriots have won the last three preseason contests, with wins at home in 2010, 2012 and at New Orleans in 2015. The Patriots and Saints have played 13 times in the regular season with the Patriots leading the all-time series, 9-4. The two teams last played in the regular season in 2013 with the Patriots taking a 30-27 win on Oct. 13 at Gillette Stadium.

Information in this article was provided by Patriots Media Relations.