FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) – Gillette Stadium, the home of the New England Patriots, will lay off about 5 percent of its staff due to a drop-off in special event bookings.

Patriots spokesman Stacey James said the economic downturn has led to the layoffs, which will not affect the thousands of workers who tend to the crowds on gameday, or to the team’s office staff.

Gillette Stadium was built by Patriots owner Robert Kraft with private financing. In addition to hosting the NFL team and the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer, the stadium is also available 365 days a year as a venue for conferences and other special events.