Ready for Patriots training camp? Here's what you need to know

Mark Daniels, The Providence Journal
·3 min read

Football is back.

Patriots rookies have reported to Gillette Stadium for the team’s 2022 training camp. Veterans will join the newcomers on Tuesday, and the first official day of camp will be Wednesday. The early part of training camp is open to the public. The Patriots training camp schedule will be on patriots.com/trainingcamp.

Training camp means summer is winding down and football will soon follow. This offseason, we saw a glimpse of what the 2022 Patriots will look like with a handful of OTAs and minicamp practices. We’ve yet to see the Patriots practice with pads on so once real contact begins, everything changes.

Patriots minicamp: Grading the Pat's rookie class, off to a solid start

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick will welcome veterans to training camp on Tuesday with practice to begin on Wednesday.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick will welcome veterans to training camp on Tuesday with practice to begin on Wednesday.

Here’s what you need to know about the Patriots 2022 training camp.

Patriots Camp schedule

The Patriots have announced their first four days of camp along with two days of joint practices later next month.

The first four practices are on Wednesday, July 27, Thursday, Jul 28, Friday, July 29 and Saturday, July 30. These are free and open to the public. Fans can watch the Patriots practice from sideline bleachers or from a grassy hill at the end of one of the practice field end zones. Although the first three days are the most popular, the fourth day is historically when the Patriots put on pads for the first time.

Gates open at 8 a.m., with practices tentatively set for 9:30.

The only other practice dates announced are on Tuesday, Aug. 16 and Wednesday, Aug. 17. These are joint practices with the Carolina Panthers. They too are open to the public. These sessions will lead into the Patriots second preseason game, at Gillette Stadium, against the Panthers on Friday, Aug. 19.

A fan gets a photo with Pat Patriot, who will be available when New England opens training camp this week.
A fan gets a photo with Pat Patriot, who will be available when New England opens training camp this week.

Training camp activities

Along with getting to watch the Patriots practice, there are several activities for fans at training camp.

There are football skill challenges, activities and games. You’ll find these after you walk through the main entrance. They’re before you get to the practice fields, so you can’t miss it. There are also photo ops available with the Pat Patriot mascot, cheerleaders and Patriots alumni. There are also concession stands and merchandise available for purchase.

Fan activities will stay open for one hour after practice. Parking is also free.

For those looking for autographs, players typically sign memorabilia after practice around the practice field.

'That's how we grow': Inside Bill Belichick's hands-on approach in Patriots practice

Prohibited items at training camp

Bags will be permitted and screened at security. They do not have to be clear bags.But there is a list of prohibited items at training camp.

Fans can’t bring animals unless they’re service animals to assist those with disabilities. Alcohol is not permitted.  The same goes for beach balls, bullhorns, air horns and coolers. Flags and tripods are allowed but they can’t be more than two feet in length.

Also not allowed in Patriots training camp are GoPro cameras, helium balloons, laser pens, noise makers, remote-controlled aircrafts, unmanned aerial vehicles and drones. You are also not allowed to bring in selfie sticks, video cameras, weapons of any kind (including knives) or any other item deemed inappropriate by stadium management.

Patriots preseason schedule

For those who really want to get a sneak peek of the Patriots, the team will play in three preseason games this summer.

The Pats open at home against the New York Giants on Thursday, Aug. 11, at 7 p.m. Following their joint practices with the Panthers, they take on Carolina at Gillette Stadium on Friday, Aug. 19, at 7 p.m.

The Patriots will have another set of joint practices, but these sessions will be in Las Vegas against the Raiders and their new head coach Josh McDaniels. These sessions haven’t been announced, but the two teams will practice together before their preseason finale on Friday, Aug. 26, at 8:15 p.m. If you’re a bettor, those practice sessions will likely be Tuesday, Aug. 23 and Wednesday, Aug. 24.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: New England Patriots training camp 2022 begins with activities for fans