FleetCenter

FleetCenter. The FleetCenter was a major multi-purpose arena located in Boston, serving as the home venue for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League and the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association. It replaced the historic Boston Garden, which was demolished in 1998, and was constructed as part of the larger North Station redevelopment project. The arena operated under this name for a decade, hosting a wide array of sporting events, concerts, and political conventions before its corporate renaming.

History

The decision to build a new arena was driven by the aging infrastructure and limited luxury facilities of the Boston Garden, owned by Delaware North. Groundbreaking occurred in 1993 adjacent to the old arena, with the project led by architects Ellerbe Becket. The FleetCenter officially opened on September 30, 1995, with a concert by Aerosmith and Extreme, marking a new era for Boston's sports and entertainment landscape. Its construction was a cornerstone of the massive Big Dig infrastructure era, significantly transforming the West End neighborhood. The old Boston Garden was finally demolished in 1998 after the Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics had fully transitioned to the new building.

Naming rights

The naming rights were secured by FleetBoston Financial, a major banking institution formed from the merger of Bank of Boston and Fleet Financial Group. The 15-year, $30 million agreement was announced prior to the arena's opening, reflecting a growing trend in corporate sponsorship for sports venues. This deal was a significant coup for Delaware North and placed the FleetBoston Financial brand at the heart of Boston's civic life. The naming rights partnership lasted until 2005, when further corporate mergers in the banking sector precipitated a change.

Events

The FleetCenter hosted numerous high-profile events throughout its decade of operation. It was the home for Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics games, including several NBA Playoffs and Stanley Cup playoffs series. The venue held the 1996 U.S. Figure Skating Championships and the 1998 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament East Regional finals. Major concerts featured artists like The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, and Paul McCartney. Politically, it served as the host venue for the 2004 Democratic National Convention, which nominated John Kerry for President. The arena also hosted World Wrestling Entertainment pay-per-view events, including WrestleMania XIV in 1998.

Renaming to TD Garden

In 2004, Toronto-Dominion Bank acquired FleetBoston Financial, leading to the rebranding of the bank's operations under the TD Banknorth name. As a result, the naming rights for the arena were transferred, and on July 26, 2005, the FleetCenter was officially renamed TD Banknorth Garden. The renaming ceremony was attended by Boston mayor Thomas Menino and officials from Delaware North. The new name reflected the evolving corporate landscape following the merger, with the "TD Garden" becoming the simplified, permanent name for the venue in subsequent years.

See also

* TD Garden * Boston Garden * List of NBA arenas * List of NHL arenas * 2004 Democratic National Convention

Category:Sports venues in Boston Category:Defunct National Basketball Association venues Category:Defunct National Hockey League venues