Matthews Arena, a historic venue older than Fenway Park, Boston Gardens, the Bruins, Celtics, and even the NBA and NHL, is set to close this week after more than a century of hosting iconic sports, political events, music, and cultural moments. Owned by Northeastern University, the 115-year-old arena will hold its farewell game Saturday night as the Huskies face off against Boston College in hockey, after which the site will be transformed into a new multipurpose arena and recreation center.
Originally opened as the Boston Arena on April 16, 1910, the building was the birthplace for the Boston Bruins and the Celtics’ first game, and it introduced the Celtics’ famous parquet floor. It welcomed notable figures such as Presidents Roosevelt, Taft, Hoover, Eisenhower, and Kennedy, as well as aviators Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart. The arena also featured performances from legendary musicians like Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, Bob Dylan, and Ludacris. Despite its aging structure, it remained a cherished sports sanctuary, regarded as “the largest, most complete, and most elaborate temple built for sports enthusiasts in the world.”
Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo, who once brought his team to play there, praised the arena for its raw, authentic sports environment where fans are close enough to engage fully with the action, describing it as a special experience compared to modern arenas.
The venue, which was initially built to host skating, curling, horse racing, and track events, was rebuilt after a 1918 fire to focus on ice hockey. The Bruins called it home until 1928 before moving to the original Boston Garden. The New England Whalers of the WHA also shared ice time here before Northeastern University took over in 1929 when hockey became a varsity sport. The school bought the arena in 1979 and renamed it in honor of former university president George Matthews after a renovation in 1995 that updated the facilities for its 100th anniversary.
Matthews Arena has seen many greats beyond the rink—Babe Ruth played pickup hockey there, legendary boxers fought in its ring, and Olympians skated on its ice. It served as a political rally site and a place of mourning, notably hosting the funeral of basketball star Reggie Lewis with over 12,000 attendees.
Farewell ceremonies for Matthews Arena have been held throughout 2025, including a men’s basketball send-off with past players on court and a girls’ hockey final featuring Olympian puck drops and fan tributes. The final men’s hockey championship game this Saturday will mark the end of an era, with former Northeastern greats like David Poile set to participate in the closing celebrations.
Poile reminisced about his early days playing on the arena’s unique ice surface and expressed deep honor at being part of the last game, highlighting the lasting memories the venue holds for players and the Boston sports community.
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Fan Take: Matthews Arena’s closure symbolizes the end of a cherished chapter in hockey history, reminding fans of the rich traditions that helped shape the sport. As the new arena rises, it promises to blend modernity with heritage, ensuring Northeastern hockey and its passionate fanbase continue to thrive in a new era.
