This weekend marks a poignant moment in Boston sports and cultural history, as the iconic Matthews Arena prepares to shut its doors after 115 years of serving as a hub for everything from hockey to political rallies. As reported by NBC Boston, the old arena, which opened before the likes of Fenway Park and the original Boston Garden, has seen its last game with Northeastern's men's hockey team facing off against rival Boston University.
Northeastern University, which has owned the storied building since 1980, has faced the tough decision between renovation or complete replacement, ultimately leaning towards progress and a new state-of-the-art venue. "There's some nostalgia. There's some sadness," Northeastern athletic director Jim Madigan said. But at the same time, he noted, "we can't get in the way of progress," as mentioned by NBC Boston. The new facility is slated to open in 2028, meanwhile, teams will have to adapt to playing on the road for two years.
The arena is certainly no stranger to big names and historical events. According to a Boston 25 News article, Matthews Arena has played host to sports legends, political leaders like President Roosevelts, and stars ranging from Marvin Gaye to Bob Dylan. Notably, it served as the original home of both the Boston Bruins and the Celtics, helping to forge a vital part of Boston’s athletic lineage.
The sentimental significance of Matthews Arena is not lost on those who have graced its presence. Hockey Hall of Famer David Poile reminisced, "It’ll be bigger and greater,” regarding the new arena. However, he added, “But for those of us that were lucky enough to play there, we’ll always have those memories," as he told Boston 25 News. As the doors close, one era ends, allowing a new chapter of Boston sports and entertainment to begin on historic ground that has seen the likes of Babe Ruth and presidents skate and speak upon its surface.
