You don’t need to ask someone from Boston to learn how residents feel about their sports. People from all over the world know Bostonians are sport fanatics. The team doesn’t matter; the sport itself doesn’t even matter. What matters is Boston, and any team from Beantown is a point of serious pride. If you’ve never been to a Boston game, pick a game—any game. We’ve got the information you need to look like a seasoned fan, which means all you have to do is sit back and enjoy. We guarantee you’ll be a rabid Boston fan, with foam finger, face paint, and all, after just a few pulse-pounding, ear-splitting minutes in the presence of athletic greatness. The Big Four When asked about Boston sports teams, most can name the four most famous: the Boston Red Sox, the Boston Bruins, the Boston Celtics and the New England Patriots. Staples of the American sports scene, these teams have been in existence for several decades, and more than a century in the case of the Sox. Your Boston sports education can’t go any further if you don’t learn the basics of the Big Four, starting with the oldest. 3 The Boston Red Sox The Red Sox were one of the original eight charter teams of the American League. The team was born in 1901, though they weren’t officially the Red Sox until 1908. Before the name was changed, the team was known as the Red Stockings. The Boston Red Sox started with a bang, winning five World Series titles before 1918. With the sale of Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees, the team then experienced what many call “The Curse of the Bambino” and didn’t win another World Series until 2004. Despite the end of the curse, the rivalry between the Sox and the Yankees remains fierce—probably the fiercest in the entire sports world. 4 Visiting Fenway Park When planning a trip to Fenway, the home field of the Red Sox, keep in mind the seating capacity is 39,605 at most. That means you should seek out tickets ahead of time, especially since every home game since May 15, 2003, has been sold out. Because the park was built in 1912, you should make ample time before your first game to stroll the grounds and absorb the history. 4 5 Driving to the park can be a hassle, so most take the subway to Kenmore Square off the Green Line. From there, you’ll need to get to the Park Street Station, where you can take any train on the Green Line except the E train. If you do plan to arrive by car, you’ll want to leave several hours for traveling, even if you’re just a few miles away. The roads nearest the park start clogging an hour or more before the game starts. Because of the stadium’s location, parking is scarce and can cost up to $40 for one game. If this all sounds exhausting, consider reserving car service. You and your friends can enjoy the festive atmosphere without the stress of driving, and you won’t need to worry about finding a parking space. 6 The Eats Near Fenway As exciting as ballpark food sounds, reality is a very different story. For those times when a hot dog or popcorn just won’t cut it, you can seek out some of the best restaurants Boston has to offer, and all are within a short distance from Fenway Park. There’s no reason you can’t enjoy a great meal and a baseball victory in the same day. 6 7 Bleacher Bar Located inside Fenway Park, Bleacher Bar offers far more than the ballpark fare. Here, you can enjoy American classics, including steaks, seafood, chicken, and cold beer with a great view of the field. There’s no direct access to the stadium, however, so don’t expect to walk right in for the game after you’ve paid your check. 82A Lansdowne St Boston, MA 02215 (617) 262-2424 Boston Beer Works Located right next to Fenway, Boston Beer Works has become a staple on game day over the past several years. With several microbrews on tap and all your domestic and imported favorites, this is the perfect place to enjoy a pre-game meal and a post-game celebration. 61 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215 (617) 536-2337 The Lansdowne You can’t visit Boston without embracing the Irish culture, and the Lansdowne lets you do just that. This large Irish pub features classics like shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, and Irish stew. The bar is open until 2:00 a.m., so dropping by after the game is welcome, too. 9 Lansdowne St, Boston, MA 02215 (617) 247-1222 8 Hotel Commonwealth Where to Stay Finding a hotel in Boston on a game day isn’t impossible, but you should certainly expect a struggle. The sooner you can prepare, the more likely you’ll be to find great rates close to Fenway. If you plan far enough in advance, give some of these hotels a call. As historic Boston favorites, they’re sure to delight. 8 9 Hotel Commonwealth Overlooking both Kenmore Square and Fenway Park, this hotel guarantees you an amazing view. These rooms are known to be some of the largest accommodations in Boston, which means you and your family or guests will have plenty of room to move. The Hotel Commonwealth also offers a large number of amenities, including bathrobes, iPod docking stations, a DVD lending library, and several books in each room by local authors. 500 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215 (617) 933-5000 Boston Marriott Copley Place As a part of the Marriott chain, the Boston Marriott Copley Place promises a certain level of luxury. Also, as it’s located less than half a mile from Fenway Park, this hotel promises convenience on game days. You’ll enjoy the many amenities, including a health club, restaurant, premium bedding, and beautiful views of Boston. 110 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02116 (617) 236-5800 The Colonnade Hotel With incredible views of Boston from almost every window and just a few short blocks between the hotel entrance and Fenway Park, the Colonnade Hotel is an excellent choice for game day accommodations. You’ll love the premium bedding, the rooftop pool, Keurig coffeemakers, iPod docking stations, and the fitness center—and you’ll experience all of it before you even make it to the game. 120 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02116 (617) 424-7000 10 The Boston Bruins The next Boston team to form was the Boston Bruins, the National Hockey League’s third-oldest team. Formed in 1924, the Bruins are one of the Original Six, which also includes the Toronto Maple Leafs, the New York Rangers, the Chicago Blackhawks, the Montreal Canadiens, and the Detroit Red Wings. Since 1995, the team has called TD Garden home, but before that, the Bruins played at Boston Garden. This team has brought home the Stanley Cup six times, with two of those victories earned while hockey legend Bobby Orr played for the Bruins. 10 11 The Boston Celtics In 1946, the Boston Celtics were formed as a part of the Basketball Association of America, which was later merged with the National Basketball Association. The Celtics also now call TD Garden home after playing at Boston Garden until 1995. This team has several unique credits in its history, starting with the first drafted African-American player, Chuck Cooper, in 1950. The Celtics’ past also includes some basketball greats, like KC Jones, Dave Cowens, and Larry Bird, and a few tragedies, like the deaths of Reggie Lewis and 1986 draft Len Bias. With 17 national championships, the most any NBA team can claim, the Celtics remain legendary. 12 Traveling to TD Garden Travel to TD Garden, where the Bruins and Celtics play, can also be a hassle. Unless you’re staying in one of the hotels nearby, plan for more than an hour of travel time. The subway stop you’ll need to remember is North Station, and many of the lines arrive at this stop directly. If you take the Red Line, switch to the Green Line Eastbound at the Park Street top, and for the Blue Line, switch to the Green Line Eastbound at Government Station. 12 13 For those driving, keep in mind the streets will crowd at least an hour before the game. Parking is a bit easier to find here than at Fenway Park, but you will pay a premium. Many public garages charge $30 or more for event parking, so work that into your budget for the evening. Again, a sedan service may be the perfect choice, as your driver can navigate the traffic for you and drop you directly at the door. You’ll be able to enjoy refreshments on your way to the hockey or basketball game without worrying about driving. If you decide to celebrate during the game, you can rest assured someone will be driving you home. 14 Game Day Eats Near TD Garden Flat Iron Tapas Bar 14 15 Flat Iron Tapas Bar As much as you want to believe you won’t touch the stadium food, there’s something special about a big, soft pretzel. That’s why the Flat Iron Tapas Bar could be the perfect choice for a pre-game meal. The tapas-style menu, which is much lighter fare than full-menu offerings at other nearby spots, will leave you satisfied without filling you.