Matthews Arena

Matthews Arena
Matthews Arena interior in 2009
Interior of arena in 2009
Map
Former namesBoston Arena (1909–1982)
Location238 St. Botolph Street,
Boston, Massachusetts
Coordinates42°20′28″N 71°5′4″W / 42.34111°N 71.08444°W / 42.34111; -71.08444
Public transit  Orange Line 
at Massachusetts Avenue
 Green Line 
at Symphony
OwnerNortheastern University
OperatorNortheastern University
DesignationNational Register and Boston Landmark eliglible
CapacityIce hockey: 4,666
Basketball: 5,066[1]
Surface200 ft × 90 ft (61 m × 27 m) (hockey)
Construction
Broke groundOctober 11, 1909
OpenedApril 25, 1910
Tenants
Northeastern Huskies (Hockey East, CAA) (1930–1943, 1946–present)
WIT Leopards (ECAC) (1992–present)
Harvard Crimson men's ice hockey (independent/IHL/TL/QL/PL) (1911–1917, 1921–1943, 1945–1956)
Boston College Eagles men's ice hockey (independent) (1917–1929, 1932–1943, 1945–1958)
Boston University Terriers men's ice hockey (independent/ECAC) (1918–1943, 1945–1971)
Boston Bruins (NHL) (1924–1928)
Boston Tigers/Cubs (CAHL) (1926–1936)
Boston Olympics (EAHL/QSHL) (1940–1952)
Boston Celtics (NBA) (1946–1955)
New England Whalers (WHA) (1972–1973)

Matthews Arena (formerly Boston Arena) is a historic multi-purpose arena in Boston, Massachusetts currently owned by Northeastern University. At over 120 years old, is the world's oldest multi-purpose athletic building still in use, as well as the oldest arena in use for ice hockey.[2] There are current plans to demolish the historic arena and replace it with a new facility.[3]

It is the original home of the National Hockey League (NHL) Boston Bruins—the only team of the NHL's Original Six whose original home arena still exists for the sport of ice hockey; the WHA New England Whalers (now the NHL Carolina Hurricanes); and the NBA's Boston Celtics.

Today is used by the Northeastern Huskies men's and women's ice hockey teams, and men's basketball team as well as various high school ice hockey programs in the city of Boston. The venue also hosts Northeastern's graduation ceremonies, its annual Springfest concert, and other events.

  1. ^ "Matthews Arena". Northeastern University. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
  2. ^ "Northeastern University Athletics Official Website". Gonu.com. Retrieved March 18, 2011.
  3. ^ "Northeastern Files Letter of Intent to Build New Multipurpose Arena". The Northeastern Hockey Blog. May 29, 2024.