Patriots Nation

From Foxborough to the world: a dynasty defined by six Super Bowl victories and nineteen consecutive winning seasons.

Patriots Nation represents the collective identity of fans supporting the New England Patriots, a professional American football team based in the Greater Boston area. Founded as the Boston Patriots in 1959, the franchise moved to Foxborough in 1971 and adopted its current name before joining the NFL through the 1970 AFL–NFL merger. Owned by Robert Kraft since his purchase of the team in 1994, the organization has transformed from a mediocre outfit into one of the most valuable sports entities globally. As of 2025, the franchise ranks as the seventh-most valuable sports team in the world and has maintained a perfect sellout record for every home game since Kraft took ownership.

Quick Facts

Home stadium: Gillette Stadium
Championship era peak: 2001–2019

Lore & Background

The modern identity of Patriots Nation was forged during the Brady–Belichick era, which spanned from 2001 to 2019. This period began unexpectedly in the 2001 season when sixth-round pick Tom Brady took over for an injured Drew Bledsoe, leading the team to a Super Bowl victory over the St. Louis Rams. Under head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Brady, the franchise established a dynasty that claimed nearly every major Super Bowl record. The Patriots hold records for most Super Bowl wins (6), appearances (12), and losses (6). Other NFL records include 126 wins in a single decade (2003–2012), a 21-game winning streak spanning the regular season and playoffs from October 2003 to October 2004, and 19 consecutive winning seasons. The team also achieved the only undefeated 16-game regular season in 2007 before losing Super Bowl XLII.

Reader's Guide

To understand Patriots Nation, one must trace the team's evolution from its charter membership in the American Football League as the Boston Patriots to its current status in the AFC East. Early years included playing at Fenway Park from 1963 to 1968 and enduring a 13-year postseason drought after losing the 1963 AFL Championship. The move to Foxborough in 1971 marked a permanent shift, with the name changing to New England Patriots. Fans can trace specific eras through distinct turning points: the 1985 season where Raymond Berry led the team to Super Bowl XX, and the 1990s ownership instability that preceded Kraft's arrival.

The current fanbase operates out of Gillette Stadium, which opened in 2002 following the demolition of Foxboro Stadium. Support here is defined by a history of records: 40 postseason wins (tied with the San Francisco 49ers) and a .638 postseason winning percentage, the highest in NFL history.

Did You Know?

In 2007, the Patriots became the only team in NFL history to complete a perfect 16–0 regular season.
The team holds the record for the most consecutive division titles (11) from 2009 to 2019.
Before moving to Foxborough in 1971, the franchise played home games at Fenway Park, Harvard Stadium, Boston University Field, and Boston College's Alumni Stadium.