The New England Patriots will hold the first open practice of training camp at 9 a.m. Friday. The Gillette Stadium gates will open at 5 a.m., so that fans can be part of the audience as ESPN Radio's Mike & Mike show records live.
Attendance and parking during public training-camp practices are free. The following items are prohibited and may be confiscated by stadium personnel: video cameras, alcoholic beverages, weapons of any kind, coolers, fireworks or pyrotechnics, pets (except service animals), noise makers, helium balloons, beach balls, laser pens. Stadium management may also deem any other item inappropriate. Flags will be permitted, but can be no more than 2 feet long.
Below is the team's tentative schedule for the first week of camp. It includes the schedule for Fan Zone, an interactive, football-themed play area for children and adults with concessions and appearances by Patriots alumni and cheerleaders.
Friday: Practice 9 to 11:30 a.m.; Fan Zone 6 to 10 a.m.
Saturday: Practice 9 to 11:30 a.m.; Fan Zone 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sunday: Practice 9 to 11:30 a.m.; Fan Zone 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Monday: Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony for Tedy Bruschi and Gil Santos 5 p.m. (open to the public); Ticketed practice for season-ticket holders and Foxboro residents 7 p.m.
Tuesday: Practice 1:30 to 4 p.m.; Fan Zone noon to 6 p.m.
Wednesday: No public access
Thursday: Practice time TBA.
A new feature this year is GameOn!, presented by UnitedHealthcare, which will take place at Fan Zone from July 26 to 28, and Aug. 13-14. GameOn! allows fans to train like the team, with blocking, tackling and throwing drills and a leaderboard that will track which fans demonstrate the best set of skills.
Another highlight of this year will be the joint practices held with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, from Aug. 13-14.
Schedule changes will be posted at www.patriots.com/trainingcamp. Fans can call the training camp hotline, 508-549-0001, to check on schedule changes or weather postponements.