FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Gillette Stadium, home of the National Football League's New England Patriots and Major League Soccer's New England Revolution, has achieved Safety Act designation and certification, the highest level of protection awarded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Known as the Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act, the Safety Act was enacted in 2002 to encourage the creation and use of anti-terrorism technologies and practices by establishing liability limitations for claims resulting from an act of terrorism where Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technologies (QATTs) have been deployed.

Gillette Stadium becomes the first sports or entertainment venue in New England to achieve Safety Act designation and certification. The venue is also the first MLS stadium and the fourth NFL stadium to be certified under the Safety Act. The other three certified NFL stadiums are: Lambeau Field (Green Bay Packers), MetLife Stadium (New York Jets and New York Giants) and University of Phoenix Stadium (Arizona Cardinals). 

"We are proud to be the first venue in New England to achieve this certification and the only stadium in the country to do so without using an outside consultant," said Mark Briggs, chief operating officer of TeamOps and chief NFL compliance officer for the Patriots. "This level of certification could not be achieved without the support of TeamOps, the Foxborough Police Department, Foxborough Fire Department, Massachusetts State Police, FBI, the National Guard's Civil Support Team and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. We are grateful for their efforts and partnership."    

The award also covers Gillette Stadium's security procedures for all non-NFL and non-MLS ticketed events, including concerts, NCAA athletics and international soccer matches. Last year, the venue hosted 20 non-NFL and non-MLS ticketed events. 

"Our number one priority is the safety of our patrons and this certification shows the amount of thought and effort that goes into making sure everyone who comes to any ticketed event at Gillette Stadium is safe," said Briggs.

TeamOps, LLC, which manages and operates the security programs for Gillette Stadium, the Patriots, the Revolution, Boston College, Harvard University, Patriot Place, CBS Scene and Partners Healthcare, also achieved Safety Act certification. Additionally, seven other Kraft Group-owned entities received the certification: Foxboro Realty Associates LLC, FXP LLC, FXPA LLC, FXPL LLC, FXW LLC, New England Patriots LLC and Kraft Soccer LLC. 

For Gillette Stadium, the certification is the latest achievement in safety and security. This past NFL season, Gillette Stadium ranked number one in safety and security, according to the league's annual "Voice of the Fans" survey, which collects information from fans attending games at each stadium. Gillette Stadium also regularly receives the highest rankings in the NFL's Security Best Practices and the Fan Conduct Best Practices programs.

Last fall, Gillette Stadium, the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, Fenway Park, TD Garden, Massachusetts State Police, Boston Police Department, Massachusetts National Guard, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security partnered to create a committee called the Massachusetts: Large Venue Security Planning Executive Committee. The purpose of the committee is to prevent terrorism and enhance security at large scale public gatherings and venues by fostering and leveraging public interagency and private sector partnerships. It is intended to serve as a model for best practices and national standards within the sports and entertainment industry. 

This spring, Gillette Stadium support staff, in partnership with Brigham and Women's Hospital, will receive Stop the Bleed training to learn how to control a bleed for victims of traumatic injury, gun violence or a mass casualty. The Stop the Bleed program is part of a regional and national training effort. Once completed, Gillette Stadium will become the first Stop the Bleed certified venue in the world.