Patriots 'very optimistic' about letting fans back into Gillette Stadium in 2021

FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 03: A general view during a game between the New England Patriots and the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on January 3, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)

Billie Weiss/Getty Images

The Patriots said in a letter to season ticket holders they are "very optimistic" about letting fans back into Gillette Stadium in 2021 - perhaps even a full house.

You can read the full letter via Ben Volin of the Boston Globe. The team expressed optimism about fans being able to attend Patriots games in the 2021 season. They sound less optimistic about Gillette being allowed to fill all 65,878 seats, but the possibility remains.

"As we look ahead to the 2021 season, we are very optimistic that we will have fans in the stands and hopeful that we will be able to do so at full capacity," the letter reads in part.

The most important piece of information for season ticket holders is that the deadline to renew has been extended to June 1. The Patriots believe the Super Bowl, which safely hosted about 25,000 fans, has given them "great assurance" to execute their own reopening plan for Gillette Stadium. Even when they fully reopen, the Patriots will have new policies in place that "prioritize public health."

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Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @mattydsays. You can also email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.

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Matt DolloffWriter

Matt, a North Andover, Massachusetts native, has been with The Sports Hub since 2010. Growing up the son of Boston University All-American and Melrose High School hall-of-fame hockey player Steve Dolloff, sports was always a part of his life. After attending Northeastern University, Matt focused his love of sports on writing, extensively writing about all four major Boston teams. He also is a co-host of the Sports Hub Underground podcast and is a regular on-air contributor on the Sports Hub. Matt writes about all New England sports from Patriots football to Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins.