Matthews Arena
Interior of arena in 2009 | |
Interactive map of Matthews Arena | |
| Former names | Boston Arena (1909–1982) |
|---|---|
| Location | 238 St. Botolph Street, Boston, Massachusetts |
| Coordinates | 42°20′28″N 71°5′4″W / 42.34111°N 71.08444°W |
| Owner | Northeastern University |
| Operator | Northeastern University |
| Capacity | Ice hockey: 4,666 Basketball: 5,066 |
| Surface | 200 ft × 90 ft (61 m × 27 m) (hockey) |
| Designation | National Register and Boston Landmark eliglible |
| Public transit | Orange Line at Massachusetts Avenue Green Line at Symphony |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | October 11, 1909 |
| Opened | April 25, 1910 |
| Closed | December 13, 2025 |
| Demolished | March 2026 (started) |
| Tenants | |
| Northeastern Huskies (Hockey East, CAA) (1930–1943, 1946–2025) WIT Leopards (ECAC) (1992–2025) 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 (BAA/NBA) (1946–1955) New England Whalers (WHA) (1972–1973) | |
Matthews Arena (formerly Boston Arena) was a multi-purpose arena in Boston, Massachusetts owned by Northeastern University. At the time of its closure, it was the world's oldest multi-purpose athletic building still in use, as well as the oldest arena in use for ice hockey. The university is demolishing the historic arena and plans to replace it with a new facility.
It was the original home of the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Boston Bruins (the only team of the NHL's Original Six whose original home arena still exists), the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s Boston Celtics, and the World Hockey Association (WHA)'s New England Whalers (now the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes)
It was used by the Northeastern Huskies men's and women's ice hockey teams, and the men's basketball team, as well as various high school ice hockey programs in the city of Boston. The venue also hosted Northeastern's graduation ceremonies, its annual Springfest concert, and other events.