MIAA Press Release
For the 11th consecutive year, the Kraft family will provide Massachusetts high school athletes a one-of-a-kind game day experience on New England’s most famous football field
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Memories will be made and champions will be crowned when the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Football Championships, presented by Cross Insurance, come to Foxborough on Friday, Dec. 1 and Saturday, Dec. 2, marking the 11th consecutive year Gillette Stadium has hosted football state championship games.
This unprecedented, two-day event featuring eight championship games will provide student-athletes from 16 MIAA schools and their respective communities with a tournament experience of a lifetime. During the first 10 years of the MIAA championships at Gillette Stadium, six games were hosted on Saturday. This year, for the first time, two additional games will be played on Friday night, December 1, so that all eight MIAA football championships are played at the home of the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots.
After more than 100 playoff football games across the state in a four-week span, 16 teams will compete in one of the most exciting, action-packed weekends of football in New England when they take the Gillette Stadium field for their respective division’s state title.
Adding to the excitement will be thousands of cheering fans, cheerleaders and school bands. State championship participants and their fans will be treated to an NFL-caliber game presentation with music and replays on the stadium’s high-definition video boards. The Kraft family will donate the use of Gillette Stadium’s field for the games.
Tickets for the MIAA football championships are on sale via Ticketmaster, and will be available on game day at the Gillette Stadium Ticket Office, located outside the Patriot Place Gate. Tickets sold at the ticket office for Friday’s game will be available beginning at 9 a.m. and tickets for Saturday’s games will be available beginning at 8 a.m.
All fans will enter the stadium via the Patriot Place Gate in NRG Plaza, located near the ticket office.
Tickets are $17 for adults and $14 for students/senior citizens. Children 5 years old and younger will receive free admission. The ticket price includes parking, admission to the games and a game day discount of $3 off adult admission at The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon (must show game ticket). Friday’s tickets provide access to both Friday games and Saturday’s tickets provide access to all six Saturday games. Also included in the price of each ticket is a Town of Foxborough User Charge.
CLEAR BAG POLICY
A reminder that Gillette Stadium’s Clear Bag Policy will be in effect for the MIAA High School Football State Championships. That policy states that bags larger than a small wristlet or handheld wallet will not be allowed inside Gillette Stadium. If carrying a bag inside the stadium is necessary, there are two options: A clear plastic bag the size of a 1 gallon Ziploc bag or a small wristlet or handheld wallet not exceeding 8” x 5” x 2” (approximately the size of a hand). Bags larger than the permitted size, including purses, shoulder bags, diaper bags and backpacks, will not be stored at Gillette Stadium. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.gillettestadium.com/security-protocol
GAME SCHEDULE
*Game times are approximate, starting 15 minutes after conclusion of the previous game
Friday, Dec. 1
Division 3 St. John’s (Shrewsbury) vs North Attleboro 5:00 p.m.
Division 2 Lincoln-Sudbury vs. King Philip 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 2
Division 6 Littleton vs. Middleboro 9:00 a.m.
Division 4 Nashoba vs. Melrose 11:00 a.m.*
Division 8 Hoosac Valley vs. Millis 1:30 p.m.*
Division 5 West Springfield vs. Dennis-Yarmouth 3:30 p.m.*
Division 7 Blackstone Valley Tech. vs. Mashpee 6:00 p.m.*
Division 1 Everett vs. Xaverian Brothers 8:00 p.m.*
GENERAL INFORMATION
Parking
Parking is included as part of the Gillette Stadium/MIAA Tournament experience. Fans arriving via Route 495 and Route 1 North should enter the stadium parking lots via the P7 or P8 entrances. Fans arriving via Route 95 and Route 1 South should enter the stadium parking lots via the P1 entrance. No tailgating will be allowed in the parking lots. Fan buses are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to each game’s approximate start time.
Concessions and Dining
Concessions will be available throughout the day at Gillette Stadium. In addition, Patriot Place features 17 casual to high-end restaurants for pregame meals or postgame celebrations. Visit www.patriot-place.com for restaurant info.
The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon
The award-winning Hall at Patriot Place will offer $3 off adult admission on Friday and Saturday with a ticket to the MIAA High School Football Championships (regular admission to The Hall is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and active military and $5 for children ages 5-12. Children 4 and younger are free). The Hall is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday. The Hall’s New England Football exhibit displays jerseys from all of the 2016 MIAA football champions, and following each of this year’s state championship games will begin displaying jerseys from all of the 2017 champions. New to The Hall this year is The Super Bowl Experience, an interactive exhibit that highlights each of the organization’s five championship seasons like never before and showcases the team’s five Lombardi trophies and Super Bowl championship rings.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Kraft Sports Productions will produce the television broadcast, which will air all of Saturday’s games on NBC Sports Boston, except for the 1:30 p.m. game, which will be broadcast on NECN. The games will also be simulcast on 98.5 The Sports Hub. Saturday’s TV broadcast will be streaming on Patriots.com.
Division Game Time TV Coverage Radio Coverage
Div. 6 9:00 a.m. NBC Sports Boston 98.5 The Sports Hub WBZ FM HD2
Div. 4 11:00 a.m.* NBC Sports Boston 98.5 The Sports Hub WBZ FM HD2
Div. 8 1:30 p.m.* NECN 98.5 The Sports Hub WBZ FM HD2
Div. 5 3:30 p.m.* NBC Sports Boston 98.5 The Sports Hub WBZ FM HD2
Div. 7 6:00 p.m.* NBC Sports Boston 98.5 The Sports Hub WBZ FM HD2
Div. 1 8:00 p.m.* NBC Sports Boston 98.5 The Sports Hub WBZ FM HD2
*All game times approximate
Radio coverage will also be available on 98.5 The Sports Hub WBZ FM HD2 website, www.cbsbostonsports.com. Make sure to click on the HD2 Banner.
MEDIA NOTES:
CHAMPIONSHIP BREAKFAST MEDIA AVAILABILITY:
On Tuesday, Nov. 28, the coaches and captains of the MIAA state championship teams playing at Gillette Stadium will participate in a Championship Breakfast at the stadium. Photo and interview opportunities will be available on the field following the breakfast.
WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 28
Breakfast – 9:00 a.m.
Program – 9:30 a.m.
Coach and captain media availability on field – 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: Optum Field Lounge at Gillette Stadium (enter the stadium at the E3 entrance)
ACCESS: If only participating in the field portion, check in at Media Will Call/Security Command, located immediately to the left of loading dock 4 at the south end of the stadium. Parking available in Lot 6.
Contact: Eric Adler, Gillette Stadium, 508-958-8206, Erica@kraftsportsgroup.com
