Originally posted by ChrisNH:Gillette Stadium (30 miles south of Boston) is rumored for September 20. I would expect the 19th or the 21st to be added if the 20th goes sold-out quickly.
The stadium is 'new' for U2, holding 68,756 in the seats plus another 5,000 on the field for a total of 73,000+. The last time U2 played outdoors in the Boston area was when the 'old' stadium was in place. I dare say that the band will be wowed by the new stadium and the whole retail complex surrounding it (Patriots Place).
Although the NFL schedule hasn't been released, September 20th is a Sunday...which means that someone in the NFL knows that the New England Patriots will have an Away game that day...even if we don't.
I would expect U2 to only do select cities in the U.S. with the outdoor set they'll bring from Europe. Plus, you have to realize that U2 wants these big football stadiums at precisely the time that the football teams want them. So scheduling will be a puzzle.
I also expect U2 to come back to the U.S. in early 2010 to do indoor arena shows, canvassing the country pretty broadly. Again, they will want these arenas at a time when the hockey and basketball teams want them, so the tour organizers are going to earn their keep figuring out the logistics with respect to dates.
Seems awful late in the year to start an outdoor leg in the US....