How to Buy Tickets for an NBA Game in Boston

Fans of "made in the USA" basketball know it all too well: the Boston Celtics are a real institution. The fans are "hot" as well as demanding, the greats of the sport have played here and left their mark. For all these reasons, it's worth seeing an NBA game during your holiday in Massachusetts.

The metropolis of Massachusetts has only one team: the Boston Celtics. When the NBA played its first championship, the Green and Whites were already present. After an initial settling-in phase, the New England team has achieved a series of successes - such as the mythical "Dynasty" that took place between 1959 and 1966 - that have taken them to the Olympus of this competition.

Boston Celtics fans were able to admire some of the greatest players in American basketball: the legendary "Bill the Hill" Bill Russell (his number 33 jersey was retired as a mark of respect), Larry Bird, Robert Parish and, in more recent times, Jayson Tatum and Derrick White.

The Boston Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, a multi-purpose building in the West End neighbourhood. If you feel like taking a guided tour, I recommend buying the Go Boston Card, a card that includes several attractions in the city, including the TD Garden.

The best way to buy them is through our website. Hellotickets has an agreement with the Boston Celtics to sell their tickets in our country. You will be sure to receive your tickets on time while avoiding counterfeit tickets.

Moreover, booking them in advance gives you the opportunity to dedicate yourself only to your trip to the East Coast. If you really can't make it in advance, the ticket office is located at North Station (135 Causeway Street).

On average, a ticket for a single Celtics game is around €80. Still, it depends on the opponent. If the opponent is of high quality or a historical rival, this number can easily be inflated. It is not uncommon to find a single ticket for more than €200.

Another factor to consider is the time of the season. If you travel to Boston during the playoffs, finding a ticket is quite difficult. You can find something on the secondary market but you should be aware that the average price is $250. I recommend buying them from the official channels well in advance.

Travelling to Massachusetts and wondering how to spend less on your tickets, you can keep the following tips in mind:

• If you travel to Boston in October you can find cheaper tickets. It's the beginning of the season and there are many competitions going on: the MLB playoffs and the NFL and NHL seasons. With so much competition it's easy to find good value for money.
• Book a seat for Monday or Wednesday games. Statistically, prices are much lower compared to weekends.
• Algorithms have shown that the Balcony 322 and Lodge 7 sectors are the most demanded by those who want to save money.
• Avoid Lakers match-ups. Any Celtics fan would go to great lengths to see the Californians beat the Lakers.

According to those in the know, the best seats for the Celtics are located in Lodge 1, Row 2. If you're wondering why I'm being so specific, the answer is simple. This spot is between the two benches, a factor that gives you the opportunity to both watch the game and monitor the coaches' movements.

If that wasn't enough, there is a slight elevation here, which guarantees a good view of the court. Overall, there are no bad seats at TD Garden. If you choose a seat in the highest part (Balcony), it might be better to opt for a central area so as not to have a "distorted" view of the playing rectangle.

Yes, inside the TD Garden - precisely on Premium Levels 5 and 6 - is the Sports Museum. This cultural institution celebrates the successes of two local teams: Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics. Not only will you see hockey and basketball memorabilia, but you'll discover how these disciplines have shaped the very spirit of the city.

You can usually visit 3 or 4 times a day and the tour lasts about an hour. As for the price, it's around $20, while a children's ticket is about half that. For more information, you can have a look at the official website.

As one of the NBA's most successful teams, the Green and White have made a lot of enemies. If you like a big challenge, I recommend you check the schedule before planning your East Coast holiday.

The Celtics' biggest and most famous rival resides in California and goes by the name of the Los Angeles Lakers. The rivalry was born in the era of Bird and Johnson, when the two teams were competing for the ring. The rivalry is so heartfelt that ESPN made a successful miniseries: Celtics/Lakers: The Greatest Enemies.

When they meet, the games are spectacular and the atmosphere unforgettable. However, there are other teams that attract thousands of passionate fans:

• Chicago Bulls, the Mid-west team is often a tough nut to crack. The games are intense and often decided at the last minute.
• Philadelphia 76ers. After eliminating Russell's Celtics in the 1967 playoffs, fans chanted "Boston is dead, Boston is dead". An affront hard to swallow
• Detroit Pistons, the recurring opponent in the 1980s. The two teams hold a record: the lowest score since the 24-second shot clock was added. On 10 May 2002, the Celtics beat Michigan 66-64.
• Miami Heat, a rivalry just intensified by the arrival of LeBron James in Florida, has lost to the New York Knicks.
• New York Knicks, it has lost the intensity of the past but let's be honest, Boston and the Big Apple can't get along.

First of all, it is good to remember that in basketball the game time is effective. The stopwatch is stopped every time there is a foul or the ball leaves the court. In general, each game consists of four 12-minute halves with a total duration of 48 minutes.

Time-out is also to be taken into account. This term refers to the temporary suspension of the match requested by one of the two teams. Each team can have 6 time-outs. Not only the coach can call a time-out, but also the players.

Depends on age. In the case of the Boston Celtics, children under 2 years of age do not have to pay admission. Children must be seated on a parent's lap. Celtics fans are very "hot" and the games are usually very loud.

If you think you might feel disoriented or even scared, it might be better to opt for a different activity. If you are travelling to the East Coast with your little ones, I recommend you read the post dedicated to the 10 things to do in Boston with kids.

Of course there are! On Christmas Day 2021, for example, the NBA scheduled 5 games in each city. It could be the occasion for a different kind of December 25th. Besides, winter in Massachusetts is characterised by low temperatures and basketball arenas are a good option to escape the cold.

In case you are visiting the East Coast metropolis at this time of the year, I recommend you to read the article on 10 things to see and do in Boston in December.

Now you know almost all the important aspects of watching the NBA in Boston. All that's missing are a few tips, which you'll find below.

Where to eat

The food stalls at the TD Garden are of good quality but, as is often the case in stadiums, the price is higher than in the rest of the city. For this reason, I recommend a few places to satisfy your hunger before (or after) the game:

• Banners, a restaurant with a big screen, ideal for enjoying live sports. If you can't find a seat at the TD Garden, it might be an ideal option (82 Causeway Street).
• Bodega Canal, a stylish Mexican restaurant. It also has a good selection of Margaritas (57 Canal Street).
• A & B Burgers, specialising in high quality burgers. The restaurant works with small family farms that produce sustainably raised beef (206 Cabot Street Beverly).
• Half Time Pizza. In addition to classic American pizzas, it's famous for specialties such as Yes! The Taco Pizza (with chili-style ground beef, mozzarella, cheddar, Doritos and sour cream) and Halftime Supreme with mozzarella, pepperoni, sausage, meatballs, mushrooms, black olives, purple onions and jalapeños (115 Causeway Street).
• The Greatest Bar, a sports bar that turns into a club at night. If you're in the mood for a Boston night out, this is the place for you (262 Friend Street).
• Alcove, American cuisine with a Mediterranean twist (50 Lovejoy Wharf)

Where to park

The North Station Garage, located underneath the TD Garden, is the best option. It usually offers a flat rate of around $50 if you leave your car 3 hours before the event. Alternatively, you can opt for:

• Lovejoy Wharf (163 N Beverly Street)
• Stanhope Garage (123 Merrimac Street)
• 107 Merrimac St Garage (107 Merrimac Street)

When to go to the arena?

In Boston, basketball is almost a religion. The fans follow the team faithfully and support it from the first minute to the last. For this reason, I recommend going to the Sports Arena well in advance. You will travel more relaxed and you will avoid the "traffic jam" that usually forms at the entrance.

Wi-Fi connection

Of course it is! In fact, when it was renovated, the TD Garden installed a high-density Wi-Fi network. If you're wondering what this is all about, the answer is simple. This is the name given to networks designed to provide simultaneous coverage to multiple WLAN clients.

The Boston Celtics arena is just a few minutes' walk from downtown. If you don't want to (or can't) drive, public transportation comes to your aid. North Station underground station (closest to TD Garden) is on the Orange and Green lines. The light rail (B, C, D and E lines) also stops here.