Love them or hate them, any sports fan must admit that Boston's teams have secured legendary status and are among their respective professional leagues' most powerful squads. The Daily is here to help you find your way to their home games and make the most of your time in a city that many would argue is America's "TitleTown."
Boston Red Sox
Venue: Fenway Park
Public Transportation: Subway: Green Line, Kenmore Stop
There may not be a more storied American sports stadium than Fenway Park. Though it's now the second-smallest major league stadium, it remains one of the best places to watch America's pastime. If you are going to catch a game, make sure to get into the area early for a chance to soak up the history. The entire Fenway area transforms into a pedestrian mall on game days, so eat at one of the local sports bars or shop for souvenirs on Yawkey Way. Once inside the park, make sure to check out the autograph-laden Pesky Pole and the most famous wall west of Berlin, the Green Monster.
While Yankees-Red Sox is the premier rivalry in all of American sports, a ticket to the spectacle will take quite a toll on your cash-strapped collegiate wallet. Other regular season games, specifically those against cellar-dwellers, are much more manageable. There also is not a single bad seat in such a small stadium, and even the centerfield bleachers, often the cheapest in the park, offer a great view of the action. Don't think you need to break the bank to witness history.
The Red Sox are once again almost certainly playoff-bound and will be looking to win their third World Series since 2004 in October. Their final home stand of the regular season is September 13-21.
New England Patriots
Venue: Gillette Stadium
Public Transportation: Commuter Rail: Franklin Line, Foxboro Stop
While not technically a Boston sports team, the Patriots hold the metropolis's football interests in the small town of Foxboro. Of the four major Boston sports teams, Patriots games are by far the toughest trip. Luckily, public transportation is available with a train station open only on game days, bringing you right into the stadium's parking lot.
There is not much to do in Foxboro, but Gillette has you covered with Patriot Place, a 1.3 million-square-foot center of food, shopping and entertainment a stone's throw away from the stadium built in 2007. Get to the game early or stay after the game and make it a full-day journey.
The Patriots are an NFL power and look poised for another successful season with a handful of new signings. New England opens at home Sept. 18 against the San Diego Chargers. Other marquee home games include their matchups with the New York Jets on Oct. 9 and the Indianapolis Colts on Dec. 4. Games will only get more unbearably cold as the year goes on, so get to one as soon as possible.
Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins
Venue: TD Garden
Public Transportation: Subway: Green or Orange Line to North Station
For Tufts students looking for a sports experience only a short train ride away, the Garden is the place to go. Located close to Faneuil Hall and other historic landmarks, it's certainly one of Boston's most prominent venues, and also home to two of its best sports teams.
The arena itself is actually quite new, completed in 1995 to replace the aging, original Boston Garden. With a capacity ranging from 17,565 for hockey to 18,264 for basketball, the arena has also hosted many other famous events like the 2004 Democratic National Convention and the annual Beanpot hockey tournament between Harvard, Boston College, Boston University and Northeastern.
The real attractions, though, are the arena's standard residents, starting with the Boston Celtics, the most successful franchise in NBA history. The C's boast 17 NBA titles, some of the greatest players in league history, as well as a currently competitive squad — the majority of which helped win the NBA title in 2008 and reach the NBA Finals in 2010.
Their heated rivalry with the Lakers is one of the league's best, and while the aging core of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen may be past its prime, the Celtics are always a force to be reckoned with come playoff time.
Meanwhile, the Garden's other resident, the Boston Bruins, was one of the NHL's Original Six teams. Although they have six all-time Stanley Cups, the Bruins had not won the league championship since 1971-72 until this past season, when heroic performances from goalie Tim Thomas and defenseman ZdenoChara led the squad to another title.
Without a doubt, the B's are one of the most physical and exciting teams in the league, and their games are great entertainment for everyone from hockey newbies to the most experienced observers.
