As the Celtics prepare for their return to the NBA Finals, Boston officials have announced a series of street closures that will be enforced starting Thursday night at TD Garden. These closures will be in place for every home game and during watch parties.
Streets surrounding the Garden will be off-limits to vehicles to accommodate the influx of fans heading to the West End neighborhood to watch the Celtics face the Dallas Mavericks. The first two games are scheduled for Thursday and Sunday nights, officials stated at a press conference on Tuesday.
City officials specified that Canal Street will be closed to vehicles from 4 p.m. until midnight for at least the first four games of the seven-game series. Causeway Street will be closed towards the end of each game to manage traffic congestion.
Fans are encouraged to use public transportation or arrange rideshare services a few blocks away from the heavily trafficked Causeway Street. Although games three and four will be held in Dallas, Boston will host its first-ever watch party at TD Garden. Mayor Michelle Wu announced that tickets to watch the live broadcast in the arena will be available for presale at $18 on Wednesday, with general sales starting Thursday morning on Ticketmaster.
The watch party promises "as much of the live NBA game experience as possible," according to Wu, including merchandise, entertainment, and concessions.
“We are seizing every opportunity to come together and support the Celtics,” Wu said, proudly wearing a green dress in support of the team during the press conference.
The closure of Canal Street will also create a pedestrian-safe “Boston finals hub” where fans can enjoy gameday festivities. Wu described the road closure as setting "a pick" on car traffic, allowing fans to move freely and safely, while also supporting local businesses.
Safety remains a top priority, emphasized by both Wu and other officials as they stirred excitement and rallied behind the Celtics. Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox highlighted the importance of managing expectations due to the large number of people who attend these games from various locations.
“We will have high visibility within the TD Garden area,” Cox said, noting that there might be more BPD officers deployed for the finals compared to regular-season games. He hinted at even greater numbers if the Celtics edge closer to winning the championship, though he refrained from making predictions to avoid jinxing the team's chances.
“We wish them the best of luck in their quest for another championship,” Cox concluded.
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