What You Need to Know About Friday's Ed Sheeran Concert at Gillette Stadium

Editor’s Note: Information in this article was provided by Gillette Stadium and the Foxborough Police Department.

One of the fastest rising pop stars in recent years makes his Gillette Stadium solo debut Friday when Ed Sheeran comes to Foxborough as part of his 2015 North American tour.

Gaining a loyal following over the years, Sheeran’s popularity went to new heights last year with the release of his second album X. The record has sold over 7 million copies worldwide and has gone to number one in 14 countries. In the United States, four singles from the album have become top 20 hits, with the most popular, Thinking Out Loud, selling over 5 million copies and peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100.

Friday’s show is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. with special guests Passenger and Christina Perri opening before Sheeran takes the stage.

To help you get ready for Friday’s show here is what you need to know!

Parking Lot Information

The Gillette Stadium parking lots open at 3 p.m. Due to the overlap with the evening commute, concertgoers are encouraged to arrive at the parking lots early Parking is $40 for cars and motorcycles, $150 for RVs, limos, and buses. All stadium lots are cash only. All occupants in the vehicle must have a ticket to the show to gain entry to the lots. Transportation of alcohol between parking lots will not be allowed.

The following will not be allowed in the lots:

• Any vehicle towing a trailer (this includes fifth-wheel RV units)
• Professional catering trucks and or services without prior written approval from stadium management
• Excessive tailgate setups that impede on customers parked around your vehicles, emergency access or deemed to be unsafe or inappropriate by stadium management
• Any type of swimming pool, portable pool, hot tubs, water filled pickup trucks, or the like
• Branded vehicles that stadium management determines to be advertising to the general public
• Transportation of alcohol between parking lots will not be allowed

Please Be Aware of Traffic

Due to the show overlapping with the evening commute, those traveling around Route 1 Friday afternoon and evening should expect an increase in traffic. Those attending the show should give themselves plenty of time to get around the stadium while anyone who is not attending the concert should seek an alternative route.

Drop-off Area

Parking lots 12-15 by the south retail area will be used as a drop-off and pickup area. Parents hoping to utilize the service should follow the Bass Pro Shop detour to Route 140 and enter the stadium at Bass Pro Drive at the P9 entrance off of Route 1.

Limos and buses will not be allowed to drop off or pickup in any stadium parking lots.

All vehicles entering the retail parking lot are subject to the parking rules and regulations. Parents who intended on remaining at Patriot Place or Gillette Stadium during the show are advised to park in general parking to avoid being in violation to the parking rules and regulations.

Patrons that are found to be in violation of the regulations are subject to a $150 fee upon leaving the property.

A map of the drop-off and pickup location is available on the Gillette Stadium website.

Take the T!

Live near Boston and don’t want to drive to Gillette Stadium? The MBTA will operate a train from South Station to Foxborough for the show. The train will leave South Station at 4:10 p.m., Back Bay at 4:15 p.m., Dedham Corporate at 4:30, and will arrive at Gillette Stadium at 5:15 p.m.

The train will depart 30 minutes after the end of the concert.

Roundtrip tickets for the train can be purchased for $15 at South Station, Back Bay, or through the mTicket app.

Camera Information

GoPros, video cameras, tripods, and monopods are not permitted. Cameras are allowed, but the lens cannot extend past the length of a credit card.

Things Not to Bring

Selfie sticks, backpacks, lasers, umbrellas or outside food and beverage are not allowed inside the stadium. For more information, visit the Gillette Stadium website.

Security Protocol

Please plan to arrive at the gates early for concert entry, as stadium security procedures will take longer than you are used to. Each person entering the stadium will be screened and all bags will be searched and tagged before being allowed through the gates. Fans can find a complete list of prohibited items on the Gillette Stadium website.

A Return to Foxborough

This may be Sheeran’s first time headlining at Gillette Stadium, but it isn’t his first appearance. In 2013, Sheeran was the main supporting act for Taylor Swift. This time around, the performance will be Sheeran’s first NFL stadium show as the headlining act.

“I remember the atmosphere inside Gillette Stadium when I was on tour with Taylor in 2013 being quite amazing,” said Sheeran in a release earlier this year. “It’s a bit insane to think two years later I would be back here to headline my first NFL stadium. I’m looking forward to the whole thing – it should be loads of fun.”

Photo: Courtesy of Gillette Stadium/David Silverman