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Northeastern University Athletics

Northeastern Huskies

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Matthews Arena
GAMEDAY LINKS
Directions & Maps
Parking Information
Seating Charts
Security
Tickets
QUICK FACTS
History
Opened 1910
First NU Game Jan. 17, 1930
Sports Men's Basketball
Men's Ice Hockey
Women's Ice Hockey
Capacity 5,066 (basketball)
4,666 (ice hockey)
Ice Surface 200 x 90
Address 238 St. Botolph Street
Boston, MA 02115
Home to men's basketball and men's and women's ice hockey, Matthews Arena turned one hundred years old on April 16, 2010. When she opened in 1910, the arena brochure boasted, “It is the most complete home of sport in America – the largest, most complete and most elaborate temple erected for the devotees of sport in the world.”

It is only fitting that the century-old emporium receive a special birthday present this year with a multi-million dollar renovation. A new roof, new locker rooms, new seats, new press box and a spectacular video scoreboard lead the list of improvements.

The arena is the world’s oldest multi-purpose athletic building and houses the world’s oldest artificial ice sheet. The arena is named after George J. Matthews, Class of ’56, and his wife, the late Hope M. Matthews. Matthews is chairman emeritus of the Northeastern Board of Trustees.

Perhaps more widely known as the Boston Arena, Matthews Arena is home to Northeastern’s men’s and women’s hockey teams and men’s basketball team. The building is one of the bastions of the country’s sporting history and a spectator’s dream for live athletic contests.

This renovation is the third since Northeastern took over ownership of the building in 1979. The last in 1995 expanded the ice surface to 200-by-90 square feet of skating surface and vaulting the arena from the smallest rink in Boston to the largest.
 

Directions

From the West (via I-90 East/Massachusetts Turnpike):  Take I-90 East (Massachusetts Turnpike) to Exit 22 towards Prudential Center. Merge onto westbound Huntington Avenue. Proceed straight below Massachusetts Avenue underpass and make left at next traffic light onto Gainsborough Street. Gainsborough Garage (paid event parking) is located one block ahead on right, adjacent to the arena.  (MAP)

From the North or the South (via I-93):  Take I-93 North/South to Exit 18 towards Massachusetts Avenue. If exiting from I-93 North, make left at first traffic light onto Massachusetts Avenue Connector; if exiting from I-93 South, follow signs and bear right onto Massachusetts Avenue Connector. Proceed to next traffic light and make right onto northbound Massachusetts Avenue. Proceed about one mile and make left onto St. Botolph Street. Proceed one block and make left onto Gainsborough Street. Gainsborough Garage (paid event parking) is located immediately on right, adjacent to the arena.  (MAP)

From the North (via Storrow Drive):  Take I-93 South to Exit 26 and follow signs for Storrow Drive. Proceed onto westbound Storrow Drive and travel for about 1.5 miles. Follow signs for Fenway exit and proceed straight off exit ramp onto Charlesgate/Bowker Overpass. Bear left at first traffic light onto Boylston Street and bear left again to remain on Boylston Street at next intersection. Proceed to second traffic light and make right onto southbound Massachusetts Avenue. Proceed to fourth traffic light and make right onto westbound Huntington Avenue. Proceed one block and make left at traffic light onto Gainsborough Street. Gainsborough Garage (paid event parking) is located one block ahead on right, adjacent to the arena.  (MAP)

MBTA Green Line:  Take the E branch of the Green Line to the Symphony station. Walk along southbound Massachusetts Avenue one block and make right onto St. Botolph Street. The arena is located on left.  (MAP)

MBTA Orange Line:  Take the Orange Line to the Massachusetts Avenue station. Using the Massachusetts Avenue exit, walk along northbound Massachusetts Avenue one block and make left onto St. Botolph Street. The arena is located on left.  (MAP)
 

Parking

FREE PARKING - Fans attending Athletic events at Matthews Arena are able to park in the Columbus Avenue Garage during the event free of charge.  The garage is open to fans two (2) hours prior to game time. From Columbus Garage fans can access Matthews Arena by taking the footbridge over the MBTA tracks via Camden Street. Fans should visit the Columbus Garage office to obtain a parking voucher prior to departure, and are asked to exit the garage no later than one (1) hour following the conclusion of the game.

PAID PARKING - Metered parking is also available on streets around the arena.
 

Security

All backpacks, duffel bags and large bags are prohibited. Bags measuring 12” x 12” x 12” or smaller will be permitted after a thorough search by Matthews Arena security personnel prior to entry.
For safety reasons, the following items are not permitted inside Matthews Arena:
• Any outside food or beverage
• Large bags or backpacks
• Laser pointers
• Firearms or other weapons
• Artificial noisemakers

Additionally, the following procedures are in affect:
• All ticket sales are final
• There are no refunds or exchanges
• There is no re-entry during events at Matthews Arena