TD Garden - Boston Celtics
- Paul Baker
- Mar 29
- 8 min read
Updated: Mar 30
Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00
TD Garden 100 Legends Way Boston, MA 02114
Year Opened: 1995
Capacity: 19,156
The Gahden
The Boston Celtics are the most successful franchise in NBA history, having won 18 championships, 11 conference titles and 35 division championships during their 80 seasons in the league. The team has qualified for the playoffs 62 times, reaching the finals 23 times. 49 individuals with Boston connections have been enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame. In May 2025 the team was sold to private equity investor William Chisholm for $6.1 billion, the highest ever valued transaction for a North American sports team at the time.
For the greater part of their history the team called the equally iconic Boston Garden home. In 1995 a new arena was built for the Celtics and the NHL’s Boston Bruins just nine inches from the original Garden. Beginning its fourth decade of use, the TD Garden may have finally begun to emerge from the shadow of its predecessor. While fans may still speak longingly of the good old days at the original Boston Garden, the TD Garden is rarely referred to as the “New Garden” anymore.
Food & Beverage 4
Concessions at TD Garden have never been at the forefront of the Celtics game day experience. However, in the interest of keeping up with the times, a focus has been made to improve both the variety and quality of food and beverage choices for Boston fans. But be warned that concession prices here are among the highest in the NBA.
Stands at the TD Garden are organized by their menus, so hungry fans may have to do some searching to find what they want. Vegetarian, vegan, kosher and gluten free items are available throughout TD Garden. Some of the most popular items are the oversized pizza slices from Sal’s Pizza. For some of the more unique items on the menu, head to the Test Kitchen on Level 4. A more in-depth description of the menu, including a map of all concessions, can be found here. Coca-Cola products are featured at TD Garden.
Fans looking for an adult beverage will have no problem finding what they want at TD Garden. Brews from local favorites Sam Adams and Harpoon Brewery are featured among the national brands. For a great selection of local brews, head to the Sam Adams Brewzone on Level 4 or the Craft Beer Garden on Level 7.
Atmosphere 5
An NBA game can accurately be described as sensory overload. From the moment you walk through the doors to when the final buzzer sounds, you are assaulted with non-stop sights, sounds and yes, sometimes even smells. Somewhere, Red Auerbach must be rolling over in his grave. The days of opening up the doors and rolling out the basketballs are long gone, even here in Boston, the most traditional of NBA cities.
The Celtics put on a show that rivals any you’ll find anywhere in the NBA. There are dance teams, loud music, giant video boards, light shows, games and contests for fans, giveaways and fan cams. The PA announcer is way over the top (in the best possible way), and the Celtics will be sure to let you know what celebrities are on hand on any particular night. This being Boston, the celebrities are generally Celtics alumni, other Boston sports figures, or an occasional Wahlberg.
The Celtics even employ their own mascot, a leprechaun named Lucky. But Lucky is no fuzzy costumed creature. Lucky is a person wearing the traditional Celtics’ logo costume, and is an integral part of the game day experience, from the moment the spotlight hits him during pregame introductions to his featured dunks during the fourth quarter media time out.
Neighborhood 5
The TD Garden is located adjacent to Boston’s historic North End, the city’s version of “Little Italy.” Among the many legendary dining options in this part of the city is Bruin legend Ray Bourque’s restaurant, Tresca. Be sure to grab a couple of cannolis from Mike’s Pastry while here, or head to Regina’s Pizzeria, one of the top places to get a slice of pizza in the country. Many visiting fans enjoy just walking down Hanover Street, taking in the sights and smells.
While many notable restaurants around TD Garden have closed their doors in recent years, there are still plenty of dining and lodging options just steps from the venue. The Harp, Hurricane’s at the Garden and of course, Halftime King of Pizza are just a few of the many options from which to choose. Fans looking for convenient lodging will find a Courtyard by Marriot, CitizenM Downtown and Onyx Boston all in the immediate vicinity.
Walk a few blocks further south, and you will arrive at Faneuil Hall, a collection of restaurants, shops and clubs that is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. Be sure to check out the Union Oyster House, Boston’s oldest restaurant and home of the city’s best clam chowder.
Fans looking to explore Boston’s rich history can follow the Freedom Trail, which passes a few blocks from the Garden. The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile-long brick-lined route that connects several of Boston’s most significant historic sites. This walking tour winds throughout the city and is one of the best ways to explore Boston.
Fans 5
The Celtics don’t usually rank among the league leaders in attendance because the TD Garden is one of the smaller buildings in the NBA. They do, however, rank among the league leaders in occupancy, as their average attendance is over 100% of capacity year in and year out. Celtic fans as a whole are one of the more overlooked fanbases in the league, despite their great support for the Celtics. They also travel well, as Boston annually ranks near the top of the league in road attendance.
While the Garden is rarely mentioned among the top venues in the NBA, when the Celtics are rolling, this building is one of the loudest in the circuit. This is due to the team’s very vocal and very present support. In a city where all four major league teams enjoy great support, Celtic fans take a back seat to no one.
Access 3
Boston can be a difficult city to drive in, especially for a visitor who doesn’t know their way around. The best way to get to TD Garden is to take public transportation, known in Boston as the “T.” The arena is located directly on top of the North Station MBTA commuter rail station, bringing in fans from all parts of suburban Boston. For fans taking the subway, both the green and orange lines stop at North Station, right across the street from TD Garden. The $2.40 one-way fare makes the “T” Stadium Journey’s recommendation for avoiding the hassle of driving.
Although there are many options for parking in the area around the Garden it can be quite expensive to park here. The 5-level garage located directly underneath the Garden charges $65 for event parking. There are several surface lots and garages in the immediate area which charge $30-$52 on game night. Despite the Garden’s downtown location, there is little on-street parking around.
Over the years the TD Garden has undergone a great deal of renovation designed to improve flow into and around the venue as well as the creation of several new social gathering areas throughout the Garden. Some of these areas, such as the Rafters on Level 9, are among the most coveted tickets in the building.
All tickets for Celtics games are now electronic. The arena’s bag policy prohibits all bags larger than 6” x 4” x 1.5”. The facility is cash-free and provides cash-to-card options for those without plastic. Complete details can be found here.
Return on Investment 2
The term “value” is a relative one when talking about ROI in the NBA. Going to a Celtics game is indeed an expensive proposition, as tickets, parking and concessions all rank in the upper echelon of the Association. For the 2025-26 season, the average ticket price for a Celtic game is $114, which ranks fourth highest in the league.
Parking in the garage located underneath the TD Garden will cost you $65. Privately-owned lots in the area range in price from $30-$52. Your best bet for finding bargains is to check out one of the many parking apps available on the internet. Even though the TD Garden features an urban location, on-street parking is scarce.
One way to avoid the high price of parking is to use the MBTA, known in Boston as the “T.” Both the green and orange lines have stops at North Station, right across the street from the Garden. If coming from the suburbs, the Commuter Rail stops right underneath the arena. With a fare of $2.40 one-way, the T is a great option to avoid the price and aggravation of driving in Boston.
Extras 4
Extra points are awarded for the sense of history that permeates all corners of the TD Garden.
No other team in the NBA can match the Celtics’ 18 championship banners, all of which hang proudly from the rafters of the Garden. There is no room for mere division title banners or even conference title flags here. It’s an NBA title or bust here in Boston.
Also joining the championship banners are three banners honoring Celtic retired numbers from throughout their storied history. In all, 23 former Celtics have been honored by having their jersey numbers retired. There are so many retired numbers here, in fact, that the honored players do not have their own unique banner. All the numbers are simply laid out on a trio of grids. No names, no frills, just three banners full of the numbers of some of basketball’s all-time greats.
The signature floor at the TD Garden, properly named the Red Auerbach Court, has been linked to the Celtics and the Garden since 1952. Built during World War II when lumber was prohibitively scarce and costly, this floor actually pre-dates the Celtics, and was originally used at nearby Matthews Arena. Legend has it that the Celtics knew which way the ball would bounce on certain parts of the floor and would defend their opponents accordingly. Although the floor was rebuilt in 1999, pieces of the original floor were incorporated into the new floor, which accurately recreated the oft-imitated look of the original court.
There is a statue of Red Auerbach smoking one of his legendary victory cigars in Faneuil Hall, and a statue of Bill Russell in the nearby City Hall Plaza, the site of so many Celtics’ championship rallies. A statue of Larry Bird can be found inside the Garden, in the Boston Sports Museum.
Speaking of the Sports Museum, the greatest hidden gem in the Boston sports world is located on levels 5 and 6 of the Garden. The Sports Museum features items celebrating the city of Boston’s long and storied sports history.
If you are lucky enough to attend a game in which the Celtics are assured of victory, you will get to experience Gino Time. In a nod to Red Auerbach’s tradition of lighting a victory cigar near the end of certain Celtics victories, the team shows a video of an old American Bandstand clip from 1977 intertwined with shots of people in the crowd dancing. Why is it called Gino Time? Watch it and see.
Final Thoughts
Overshadowed by the history and nostalgia of its predecessor, the original Boston Garden, and by the flash and size of new venues across the league, the TD Garden is largely viewed as a middle of the pack venue. However, with its devoted fanbase, excellent location, and improved amenities, the Garden has become a first-rate venue in its own right.
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