Xfinity Center is the outdoor amphitheater in Mansfield, Massachusetts that’s hosted New England’s biggest summer tours since 1986 — and if you’re heading to a show there, you’ve probably got questions about parking, bag rules, seating, and the best way to actually get in and out without a headache.
This guide covers the practical side of visiting (tickets, parking, bag policy, seating chart, directions) along with the venue’s history, capacity, and the Jimmy Buffett legacy that made it famous, so you’re fully prepared whether this is your first show here or your fiftieth.
Quick Answer
Xfinity Center is a 19,900-capacity outdoor amphitheater at 885 South Main Street in Mansfield, Massachusetts, about 30 miles southwest of Boston. It’s operated by Live Nation New England, runs a concert season from mid-May through late September, and offers reserved pavilion seating, lawn seating, and general admission areas. Parking is included with your ticket, and there’s a strict clear-bag policy at entry.
From Great Woods to Xfinity Center
The venue opened on June 13, 1986, as the Great Woods Center for the Performing Arts, with an inaugural concert by Yo-Yo Ma and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. It started with a roughly 12,000-person capacity and a mixed classical, rock, and pop lineup that quickly made it a New England summer staple.
After 2000, the amphitheater was expanded to its current capacity of about 19,900, adding reserved and general admission seating alongside its sloped lawn. Along the way it’s carried four names: Great Woods (1986–1999), Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts (1999–2008), Comcast Center (2008–2014), and finally Xfinity Center starting in 2014, following Comcast’s rebrand of its cable and internet services. Through every name change, it’s kept the same footprint, stage, and place in the region’s touring circuit.
Xfinity Center Seating Chart & Capacity
Total capacity is about 19,900, split into three main sections: roughly 7,000 covered/reserved pavilion seats closest to the stage, 5,900 general admission seats, and 7,000 lawn spots on the sloped grass area at the back of the venue. Reserved seats are assigned and ticketed by row and section; lawn tickets are open seating, so arriving early gets you a better spot on the grass.
Because seating configurations can be adjusted for individual shows (some events remove certain sections or use a reduced footprint), always check the specific event’s seating map on Ticketmaster or the official Xfinity Center site before choosing seats, rather than relying on a generic chart.
Planning Your Visit: Tickets, Parking & Hours
Tickets are sold through Ticketmaster and the venue’s official site, with pricing that varies by artist, tour, and how close your seat is to the stage — reserved pavilion seats generally cost more than lawn tickets. Gates typically open a couple of hours before showtime, and exact gate times and box office hours change by event, so always confirm them on the official Xfinity Center website for the specific concert you’re attending.
General admission parking is included with your ticket, and Live Nation also sells upgraded Premier and VIP parking passes (purchased separately) that put you closer to the exits for a faster getaway after the show. There’s a dedicated ADA-accessible lot, and oversized vehicles over 18 feet require a separate reserved spot. Note that Xfinity Center does not allow re-entry once you’ve gone through the gates, so plan bathroom breaks, food, and any last errands before you head in for the night.
Bag Policy & What You Can Bring
Xfinity Center enforces a clear-bag policy. You’re allowed one clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC tote bag no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, or a small non-clear clutch bag up to 6″ x 9″. Backpacks, hydration packs, and larger non-clear bags aren’t permitted, and every bag is searched at entry.
Other restricted items include professional cameras with detachable lenses, GoPros and other video recording devices, tablets, coolers, lawn chairs, and umbrellas. Point-and-shoot cameras and phones are fine. If you use a wheelchair or need other accessibility accommodations, contact guest services in advance so staff can help with arrival, seating, and navigating the venue.
Getting to Xfinity Center
The venue sits right at the junction of I-495 and Route 140 in Mansfield, about 30 miles southwest of Boston and roughly a 45-minute drive from downtown depending on traffic. From Boston, take I-95 South to Exit 7A (Route 140 South) and follow it about 3.5 miles to the venue; from Providence, take I-95 North to Exit 6A, then I-495 South to Exit 11; from Worcester, take I-495 South to Exit 11 as well.
Public transit options are limited and MBTA commuter rail service back from Mansfield doesn’t reliably run late enough for most shows, so most fans drive or use rideshare. If you’re using Uber or Lyft, pickup and drop-off happens in designated lots, and demand — and wait times — spike hard right after a show ends, so build in extra time before you need to be somewhere else.
A Regional Concert Hub
Xfinity Center has built a reputation as one of the top-grossing amphitheaters in the country, earning that Billboard distinction in 2010. Its season lineup spans rock, country, and pop tours, and the combination of a covered pavilion with open lawn seating gives fans a range of ways to experience a show, from up-close reserved seats to a blanket-on-the-grass evening.
No artist is more associated with the venue than Jimmy Buffett, who played here 63 times over his touring career — more than any other venue he performed at — and recorded portions of multiple live albums on this stage. Beyond concerts, the site has occasionally hosted community and civic events, including local high school graduation ceremonies, making it a fixture of Mansfield’s cultural calendar well beyond its packed summer touring season.
Xfinity Center Mansfield FAQs
What was Xfinity Center originally called?
It opened in 1986 as the Great Woods Center for the Performing Arts before later being renamed Tweeter Center (1999), Comcast Center (2008), and finally Xfinity Center in 2014.
How many people can Xfinity Center hold?
The amphitheater has a capacity of about 19,900, split between roughly 7,000 reserved pavilion seats, 5,900 general admission seats, and 7,000 lawn spots.
Where is Xfinity Center located?
It’s at 885 South Main Street in Mansfield, Massachusetts, at the junction of I-495 and Route 140, roughly 30 miles southwest of Boston.
Is parking free at Xfinity Center?
General admission parking is included with your concert ticket. You can also purchase upgraded Premier or VIP parking separately for a spot closer to the exits.
What bags are allowed at Xfinity Center?
Only clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC tote bags no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, or small non-clear clutch bags up to 6″ x 9″. Larger bags and backpacks aren’t permitted.
Can you leave and come back into Xfinity Center during a show?
No — the venue doesn’t allow re-entry once you’ve gone through the gates, so plan to stay for the full show once you’re inside.
How many times did Jimmy Buffett play at Xfinity Center?
Jimmy Buffett performed at the venue 63 times, more than any other artist and more than any other venue in his touring career.
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