TD Garden requiring proof of vaccination or negative COVID test for Bruins, Celtics games & concerts

BOSTON — TD Garden announced Wednesday that they are requiring all guests 12-years-old and older to provide proof of full vaccination or present a negative COVID-19 test to attend Bruins and Celtics games and other events at the arena. Those rules will go into effect as of Thursday, September 30 in conjunction with the Bruins’ first preseason game at TD Garden.

Additionally, the City of Boston continues to require all guests over the age of 2 to wear masks at TD Garden except when actively eating or drinking.

“Our primary goal is to keep our fans, guests, employees, players and performers safe,” said Amy Latimer, president of TD Garden, in a release Tuesday. “We have worked diligently with public health officials, experts and our industry leaders and have a shared belief that this is the best approach to keep live events going.”

>>>MORE: Fenway Park requiring masks for ‘public accessible indoor spaces’

“Fan safety is paramount as we invite guests back to TD Garden for the 2021-22 season,” said Bruins’ President Cam Neely. “While we had all hoped to see a return to normalcy, we felt it was important to start the year with additional precautions.”

“Vaccination verification will help provide our fans with peace of mind as they come back to enjoy the energy of a live Celtics game experience together,” added Celtics’ president Rich Gotham.

But their fans are split on the decision.

“I’ll pass. I will watch it at home, it’s fine,” said Mike Rosa of Quincy. “That’s kind of a turn-off. It’s a bummer. I would like to go see the games, and I’m vaccinated so it’s nothing to me, but to be told that I have to be vaccinated to enter the building. If we continue doing that it will happen everywhere you go. I guess because you can still remain unvaccinated and get to go to the game and just show proof that you’re safe to go, I think that’s fair, but the whole you got to be vaccinated, I mean it’s just a turn-off for me personally.”

“I will do what I have to do, what they ask me to do,” said fan Luca Bigatello. “I think it will be a good idea to have proof of vaccination because it will be safer for everybody.”

“I don’t think you should have to show your vaccination card. I think that’s personal information,” said Michelle Mcphee of Boston.

Some additional seating locations and other events may have additional health safety protocols in place for attendees. Fans can check the status of those events here.

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