Adam Vinatieri Kicks World Record Field Goal in Swiss Alps, Says He Wants To Bring His Family To Ski

Switzerland’s Jungfrau Region is a veritable paradise for skiers, hikers, and climbers, with its jaw-dropping views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks. The Jungfraujoch, situated at an altitude of 11,332 feet, is referred to as the Top of Europe.

Not exactly the place that you’d expect an extreme elevation field goal with a regulation NFL football to take place, but it happened on Tuesday afternoon, September 22, 2026.

Hall of Fame kicker Adan Vinatieri, who is remembered for his career with the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts, struck a perfect ball into the thin alpine air and straight through the goal posts to establish a Guinness World Record for the highest field goal ever made, the accomplishment coming at 3,454m (11,332 ft.).

Vinatieri’s successful 30-yard kick on the snowy UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jungfrau-Aletsch glacier, was a splendid sight to see on a bluebird day in the Swiss Alps.

“This was pretty wild. I’ve been very fortunate to make some big kicks in my career, and this was definitely right up there at the top of the list,” Vinatieri told POWDER, shortly after converting the World Record kick.

“The fact that I even got invited up here to do this with the Patriots… they flew me out here; then I jumped in a helicopter to come to the Top of Europe and kick balls on the top of a glacier. I mean, who gets to do this? It was absolutely wild and a lot of fun,” the retired 53-year-old place-kicker said, attired in his old familiar Patriots #4 jersey.

Despite Vinatieri’s reputation for having an uncanny ability to perform at his best in all types of weather elements and environments, the legendary kicker admitted that there was definitely pressure to nail the kick on the high-altitude Swiss glacier. Naturally, he also had to calculate for wind and maintain his footing on the snow.

“I absolutely was feeling some pressure. I wanted to make sure I did a good job. You don’t want to come all of the way up here and not be able to do it with everybody coming up here to see it,” Vinatieri said. “I wanted to make sure that my footing was good, but I figured that we would get it done.”

Vinatieri, who spent his 24-year NFL career divided between the Patriots and Indianapolis Colts, was also renowned for his clutch performances, including two Super Bowl-winning kicks in the waning seconds of games in 2001 and 2003. The legendary football player was also revered for his knack for making difficult kicks in snowy, blustery weather.

Nowhere was that more evident than at the 2001 “Snow Bowl” versus the Oakland Raiders. Vinatieri’s 45-yard field goal in a total white-out blizzard sent the contest into overtime, and then he proceeded to also boot the game-winner. The improbable victory extended the Patriots’ season and was the catalyst alongside quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick’s first Super Bowl title over the St. Louis Rams. 

Vinatieri also holds NFL records for the most career points scored (2,673), the most field goals made (599), and the most consecutive field goals without a miss (44).

The South Dakota native, who retired his jersey from the NFL in 2001, having kicked successfully well into his late forties, joked around that he still has top form in him. “I’m just here letting everyone know that I still have it. If anyone needs a kicker, I’m still here,” Vinatieri said, with a laugh.

The New England Patriots Join Forces with Jungfrau Railways

The unique event at Jungfraujoch Top of Europe was a collaboration between the New England Patriots and Jungfrau Railways to help kick off the road to the six-time Super Bowl champions’ upcoming November 15 contest against the Detroit Lions in Munich, Germany. The game is the final of six being played in Europe this season, as part of the NFL’s International Series.

While Vinatieri dropped down to the glacier by helicopter along with his wife, members of the New England Patriots staff, Jungfrau Railways representatives, and select members of the media arrived at the Jungfraujoch snow field via the region’s intricate network of lifts, cable cars, and cog railways, including the famed Jungfraubahn and new state-of-the-art Eiger Express.

Vinatieri was captivated and immensely enjoyed his first trip to the high-altitude Swiss glacial paradise and its breathtaking alpine environment. POWDER asked the Hall of Fame kicker how he will possibly top the World Record field goal?

“I’m not sure I can. I keep getting older, and they keep asking me to do crazy stuff like this,” he said. “This is near the top of the list.”

The retired pro athlete said he hopes to return to the Swiss Jungfrau region, possibly to ski, and without pressure to perform.

“I’m coming back for sure. This is just unbelievable up here. My kids, we do a little bit of skiing, but I don’t know if they could understand the magnitude of these mountains. We’d find stuff that you probably shouldn’t do or can’t do, but it would be a great time to come back,” Vinatieri said.