Boston is the largest city in New England and the capital of Massachusetts. The city was named by Puritan settlers after the English town from which they hailed and is one of many US places bearing English names. Boston is one of the oldest settlements in the United States, and staged a number of key events of the American Revolution including the Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party and the Siege of Boston. Today, the city has a considerable education industry and is a popular destination for business travellers. Make the most of your business trip and check out our guide to the best corporate housing in Boston.
Although Boston is rich in history, in modern times it is sport in Boston that has established a national reputation. With successful teams in baseball, basketball, American football and ice hockey, Boston is a true sporting capital in the United States. Below, we explore the most iconic sports and teams in the city. If you can manage to get a ticket, these are the ultimate sporting experiences for business travellers visiting Boston.
Baseball
In baseball, the Boston Red Sox is one of the most successful Major League Baseball teams of all time, although it has not been without hardship. The infamous ‘Curse of the Bambino’ saw the Red Sox go an incredible 86 years without winning the World Series, until the curse was finally broken in 2004. The championship drought was considered a disaster for the Red Sox, who saw the New York Yankees overtake them as the most successful MLB team. The ‘Curse of the Bambino’ was named after Babe Ruth, the star player sold to the New York Yankees in 1920, which some fans blame as the catalyst.
The Boston Red Sox play their home games at Fenway Park, one of the most iconic sporting venues in the world. The team is currently owned by Fenway Sports Group, who also own Liverpool Football Club. Fenway Park has been the home of Boston Red Sox since 1912 and was substantially rebuilt in 1934. The stadium has hosted the World Series on 11 occasions, with the Red Sox winning six of them. Although Fenway Park is the second smallest MLB ballpark by total capacity, it remains an iconic feature of Major League Baseball, with much of the ballpark unchanged from the day it opened. No business trip to Boston is complete without taking time out to do a stadium tour of Fenway Park. It ranks highly on our list of the top 21 things to do in Boston when travelling on business.
Basketball
The Boston Celtics is one of the most successful basketball teams of all time, tied with the LA Lakers on 17 NBA Championships each. The Celtics were particularly strong in the 60s, winning 11 out of 13 Championships in a 13 year period from 1957 to 1969. They have more recorded wins than any other NBA team. Then coach Red Auerback was responsible for the Celtics’ rise to dominance in the 60s, with the acquisition of center Bill Russell seen as the catalyst which saw eight consecutive NBA titles won. During the 1980s, the rivalry between the Boston Celtics and LA Lakers intensified. Celtics’ star Larry Bird and LA Lakers legend Magic Johnson established a competitive feud that had baseball gripped.
The Boston Celtics’ name and their leprechaun mascot are derived from and pay homage to Boston’s large Irish population. The team play at TD Garden, which they share with local ice hockey team, the Boston Bruins. With basketball being founded in Massachusetts, the state is considered the home of the sport.
American Football
The New England Patriots is an American football team located in the Greater Boston area. They play their home games at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 22 miles southwest of Boston. The Patriots are one of only two NFL teams to represent multiple states, embodying the six states of New England; Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Rhode Island. Originally founded as the Boston Patriots in 1959, the New England Patriots share the record for most Super Bowl wins (with the Pittsburgh Steelers) having won the Vince Lombardi trophy six times.
For much of the 20th century, the New England Patriots were generally unsuccessful, but things were about to change. From 2001 - 2019, coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady launched the New England Patriots into a period of unrivalled dominance. In the Brady-Belichick era, one of the greatest sporting legacies in history, the Patriots won six Super Bowls and broke a number of NFL records. The Patriots hold the record for the most consecutive winning seasons, most consecutive division titles, the most playoff victories and the longest winning streak throughout the regular season. In 2007, they also embarked on the only unbeaten 16-game regular season, a first in NFL history. Catching a Patriots game in a Boston sports bar on your business trip to Boston is an unmissable experience!
Ice Hockey
The fourth most popular sport in the United States is ice hockey, with the Boston Bruins being the local team. The Bruins are one of the original National Hockey League teams and are the oldest in the United States. They have won the Stanley Cup six times and are the fourth most successful NHL team. Since 1995, the Boston Bruins have played their home ties at TD Garden, sharing with the Boston Celtics.
Soccer
Football, or soccer as it is referred to in the United States, is another popular sport in the Boston region. New England Revolution play at the Gillette Stadium, alongside the Patriots, both of whom are owned by Robert Kraft. Named after the American Revolution, New England compete in the Eastern Conference of the MLS and have been successful in the 21st century, winning five MLS Cup Finals. Former Fulham and Tottenham midfielder Clint Dempsey started his career at the club in 2004.
Boston Marathon
Moving away from team sports, Boston is renowned for staging the world’s oldest marathon. Established in 1897, the Boston Marathon is staged on every third Monday in April, which is also Patriots Day in the Unites States. This historic race is incredibly popular amongst marathon runners, but it is tough to get a spot. Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya holds the course record, running the Boston Marathon in 2011 in 2:03:02.
Sports Bars in Boston
When visiting Boston, it can be considered essential to visit Fenway Park and/or watch a game of live sport. Tickets are incredibly popular for the Boston sports clubs, so might not always be an option for business travellers. However, watching live sport in one of the many sports bars in Boston can be equally thrilling! Bleacher Bar and Cask ‘n Flagon are two of our favourites located next to Fenway Park, with the former being located in what used to be the visiting teams batting cage, with a view out onto the field. Tony C’s Sports Bar & Grill, Banners Kitchen & Tap and Champion are three other sports bars that can guarantee a great atmosphere, whether it’s the Patriots, Red Sox or Celtics playing!
Sampling live sport is an experience not to be missed when visiting Boston! Whether baseball, football, basketball or ice hockey is your thing, be sure to visit one of the city’s bars for the ultimate experience. When booking your business trip to New England, discover our range of corporate housing in Boston.
