Later today, at 8:30 p.m. ET, the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs will kick off the 2017 NFL season at Foxboro's Gillette Stadium. Before the game, the defending world champions will hold a celebration that will culminate in unveiling the franchise's fifth championship banner. And even before that, there will be yet another celebration taking place in downtown Boston.
As the NFL announced via press release, the league's “Random Acts of Kickoff”-campaign will take its 32nd and final stop today – and which better place than the reigning champions' home town? The festivities will start at 12:00 p.m. ET at Christopher Columbus Park and feature not only the Lombardi Trophy but legends from past Patriots Super Bowl winning teams, including Rodney Harrison and Willie McGinest.
Gates will open at 10:30 a.m. ET and while no tickets are required, access to the free event is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. A livestream of the festivities will be available on three NFL outlets: the league's website, mobile services as well as YouTube channel. Furthermore, at 11:00 a.m. ET, a public screening of “America's Game: 2016 New England Patriots” will take place at Columbus Park.
Make sure you catch the festivities to get ready for the upcoming season – all while reliving the Patriots' 2016 season once again.