TD Garden - The Beanpot
- Paul Baker
- Feb 10
- 8 min read
Championship photo courtesy of Boston College athletics
All other Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14
TD Garden
100 Legends Way
Boston, MA 02114
Year Opened: 1995
Capacity: 17,850
The Beanpot
Some events are uniquely Boston. The Marathon. The Head of the Charles. A ballgame at Fenway. On par with these events is a college hockey tournament held every year on the first two Mondays in February. Pitting the four Division One hockey teams located within Boston’s city limits (Boston College, Boston University, Harvard and Northeastern) against each other, the Beanpot is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious college hockey tournament.
The Beanpot started in 1952 as a way to fill a couple of empty dates at the old Boston Arena. Now held at TD Garden, the Beanpot is Boston hockey’s unofficial championship. No matter what happens in conference play or the national tournament, if your team wins the Beanpot, you are Boston’s college hockey champion.
In 2023 The Beanpot entered into a sponsorship agreement with Dunkin’, rechristening the tournament as “The Dunkin’ Beanpot.” This is the first time the tournament has had a title sponsor.
The TD Garden is the home of both the NBA’s Boston Celtics and the NHL’s Boston Bruins. When the facility was under construction in the mid-1990s, plans stated the arena would be located “just north” of the Boston Garden. “Just north” ended up being nine inches away.
Food and Beverage 4
The concession experience at TD Garden has never been at the forefront of the Bruins game day routine. Over the years, the concessions have improved here in both variety and quality. But be warned that concession prices here are among the highest in the NHL.
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
Among the best facets of any college hockey game are the noise and excitement generated by a school’s pep band and student section. At the Beanpot, you get four of each. Not only do the players compete, but so do the student sections and the bands. It makes for an electric atmosphere. The maximum score in this category just doesn’t do the atmosphere at the Beanpot justice.
At the Beanpot, you have four schools where hockey is the premier winter sport vying for bragging rights in a city where pucks are king. Student sections compete to one-up each other in a (mostly) friendly back and forth. There is no need for piped in music here, the pep bands make sure the Garden is filled with noise during all play stoppages. Competitions between students during play stoppages add to the raucous atmosphere at the Beanpot.
Despite the fact that three of these schools are members of the Hockey East Conference, and Beanpot games do not count in league standings, these are no mere exhibition games. You would be hard pressed to find a more intense atmosphere, even during the national tournament. The battle for Boston hockey bragging rights is taken most seriously, both on the ice and in the stands.
Neighborhood 5
The TD Garden is located adjacent to Boston’s historic North End, the city’s version of “Little Italy.” While visiting, hockey fans flock to 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 walking down Hanover Street, taking in the sights and smells.
While many legendary restaurants around TD Garden have closed their doors in recent years, there are still plenty of dining and lodging options right 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. Statues of Celtics legends Red Auerbach and Bill Russell and be found here among all the historic sites.
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
There is an old adage in American hockey circles that states to find the most knowledgeable, passionate fans in the United States, head to the three “M’s” (Massachusetts, Minnesota and Michigan). Having four teams from the “Hub of Hockey” matched up over two Mondays in February is an annual highlight of the Boston winter sports scene.
All four schools represent in full force for the Beanpot, with rivalries switching like some reality show based on the day’s matchups. In addition to packed student sections in the balcony, alums and local fans come out to support their teams in great numbers.
Crowds at the Beanpot annually total over 14,000 for both days, with capacity crowds not an unusual occurrence. While it is possible to get tickets at the last minute, it’s not recommended. For the best Beanpot experience, get tickets to the second Monday, when the championship is decided.
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 $2.75 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-$50 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 TD Garden events 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 Beanpot is a single admission event, with one ticket granting access to both games. Face value of tickets run about $70-150. Tickets do go fast, but deals can be found on the secondary market. Look for big discounts on the second Monday, as fans whose schools are eliminated look to get rid of their unwanted tickets.
An unfortunate side effect of holding a tournament at an NHL facility is that you will be paying major league prices for parking and concessions. Parking at the North Station Garage will cost a staggering $65. Using parking apps to find spots in local garages and lots will reduce prices significantly, but you can still expect to pay $35 and up to park. There are no discounts on concessions for the Beanpot, and the prices at the Garden rank among the highest in the NHL.
As mentioned earlier, taking the “T” to the Garden not only saves fans the aggravation of fighting the always-present Boston traffic, but is much more economical. A one-way ticket on the T costs $2.40, eliminating the hassle of dealing with rush hour traffic and overpriced parking. The Commuter Rail drops fans off directly beneath the arena, and both the green and orange lines stop right across the street from the TD Garden.
Extras 5
The Beanpot has proven to be such an iconic event that the four schools also compete in a women’s Beanpot Tournament (the finals are also held at the TD Garden), and a baseball Beanpot played at Fenway Park. Other Beanpots have popped up over the years, including soccer, softball, basketball, lacrosse, rowing, cycling, a concert band Beanpot, a Beanpot of Comedy, and a rice and Beanpot-burrito eating competition.
The Beanpot has its own Hall of Fame, commemorating those players who have distinguished themselves over their Beanpot careers. Countless NHL players have played in the Beanpot, including Hockey Hall of Famers Joe Mullen, Fern Flaman and Cooney Weiland.
Proudly displayed among the many Bruins and Celtics banners hanging from the TD Garden rafters are a pair of banners dedicated to the men’s and women’s Beanpot. There is also a display on the concourse displaying the Beanpot trophy.
The Sports Museum is perhaps the greatest hidden sporting gem in Boston, it’s a must see for any sports fan visiting the city. Located on levels 5 and 6 of the Garden, The Sports Museum features items celebrating the city’s long and storied sports history, from the pros to high school teams. Located within walking distance of the Garden are statues honoring Boston sports icons Bobby Orr, Red Auerbach and Bill Russell.
A final point is awarded for the Beanpot Trophy presentation. Immediately upon conclusion of the championship, the Beanpot banner is lowered from the rafters and the new champion’s name is attached. When the Beanpot is awarded to the tournament champions, the players parade it around the ice just like the pros do with the Stanley Cup.
Final Thoughts
Boston’s unofficial hockey championship is the premier college hockey tournament in the nation. Combining four schools located within five miles of each other, which are annually among the top-ranked teams in the country makes for a legendary event. The Beanpot is a bucket list item for any sports fan, whether or not you follow college hockey.
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