Boston is arguably the greatest sports city in America. Beginning with the Boston Celtics dynasty of the 1960s and extending through the enduring dominance of the Patriots, the city has become one of the premier destinations for sports fans. Add a thriving college hockey scene and, of course, renowned facilities, and it's easy to see why the city's reputation is so impressive. To illuminate all that sets Boston apart from an athletic perspective, we'll take you through a year in local sports:
Spring
The weather isn't the only thing heating up in Boston come springtime. Both the NHL's Boston Bruins and NBA's Boston Celtics make their push for the playoffs as the snow melts. TD Garden plays host to both teams, which share the facility and make sure that there's a home team to cheer on most nights of the week.
Winners of six Stanley Cups, the Boston Bruins have been playing hockey in the city for nearly 100 years. During this time, they've built a reputation as no-nonsense grinders, who will do whatever it takes to pick up a win. Bruins tickets are a hot commodity, with many home games selling out quickly. The best chance to see the team is against competition from the West Coast or Southeast, which are less likely to bring out-of-town fans into the city.
If the Bruins aren't at home at TD Garden, there's a good chance the Celtics are. One of the NBA's premier franchises, the Celtics dominated the NBA in the 1960s and again in the 80s. Bill Russell, John Havlicek, Larry Bird, and Kevin McHale are just some of the many legends and Hall of Famers who have donned the iconic green and white jerseys of the Celtics. As with the Bruins, finding an affordable ticket to a Celtics game can be a challenge, although secondhand options are available and become much cheaper on the day of the game.
Summer
Boston is home to baseball's oldest and most iconic stadium: Fenway Park. With its most enduring feature — the Green Monster — looming large in left field, Fenway transports spectators back to the days of yesteryear. Watching the Boys of Summer take on the hated New York Yankees is a baseball experience like no other, especially knowing that legends such as Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Lou Gehrig, David Ortiz, and more once roamed the same field that today's stars call home.
Squeeze into an available seat (the stadium opened in 1912, when the average American was slighter than they are today) and marvel at the team's ability to combine modern-day fan engagement with old-time baseball panache. Don't expect to pay face-value prices on gameday, as Fenway Park quickly sells out for most home games ahead of time. This experience definitely takes advance planning, but a delightful day at the ballpark will make all the extra effort worthwhile.
A different kind of pitch can be found at Gillette Stadium in nearby Foxboro, where the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer takes on foes from all over the country and the globe. One of the ten original MLS franchises, the Revolution shares a similar history to the Red Sox. They've appeared in five MLS Cup Finals, but have failed to win the big one. Of course, the Red Sox eventually broke their curse in 2004 — so time will tell if the Revolution can do the same.
Their season runs from late February until early October, giving supporters plenty of time to see The Revs participate in the beautiful game. Tickets can be obtained fairly easily in advance, or, when needed, on the day of the game.
Fall
Two things immediately come to mind when you imagine New England in the fall: the changing of leaves and the New England Patriots. Once a franchise that was solid — if unspectacular — that reputation changed in 2001 with the emergence of the relatively unknown Tom Brady. The rest is history. Along with mastermind head coach Bill Belichick, Brady and the Pats ran roughshod over the NFL for two decades, reaching nine Super Bowls and winning six.
Despite moving on from Brady, the Patriots are still routinely at the top of the AFC East division, giving football fans meaningful games to watch all the way into January. The nearby suburb of Foxboro plays host to the team — and Gillette Stadium has been the scene of several memorable games since it opened in 2002.
Fans attending Patriots games later in the season can expect the elements to play a major factor. Wind, rain, and especially snow can cause havoc on the field — and in the stands for fans who don't dress for the weather. In spite of the cold, Patriots tickets remain a hot commodity.
Winter
With the Bruins and Celtics keeping TD Garden busy in the winter, Boston sports fans have plenty of options for entertainment. Travelers who want to experience something distinctly Boston should take in a local college hockey game. There, it's fun to experience the energy and electricity emanating from not only the players on the ice, but also, the devoted fans in the stands.
The city is home to four Division 1 college hockey squads: Boston University, Northeastern, Boston College, and Harvard. While BU, BC, and Northeastern play in the same Hockey East Conference and do battle every year, they still get to skate against Harvard in the annual Beanpot. This four-team tournament has been a college hockey tradition since 1952 and is typically played on the first two Mondays in February. TD Garden plays host to the event, which has been won by the Terriers from Boston U an astounding 31 times.
There's never a shortage of games to see and things to do in Boston for sports fans. Elite competition is always somewhere to be found. From Fenway Park to TD Garden, Gillette Stadium, and of course, numerous college campuses, there's no shortage of options. Hit the city's hottest sporting facilities and events for an experience like no other.