~ Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has announced the highly anticipated return of the Boston Playoff Hub on Canal Street. This pedestrian-only zone will provide a car-free space for fans to gather and celebrate before and during home playoff games at TD Garden.

The first Celtics playoff game is set to take place on Sunday, April 20, following their impressive 18th NBA Championship win last year. This annual tradition, first introduced by Mayor Wu in 2023, has become a beloved event for residents and visitors alike.

"As the city of champions, Boston is lucky to have another round of playoff games to watch at TD Garden," said Mayor Wu. "With the Boston Playoff Hub on Canal Street, we're again making it easier to gather with friends and family to cheer on the Celtics. I encourage basketball fans to celebrate responsibly and enjoy what makes Boston so special."

The Playoff Hub will be free and open to the public, providing more space for fans to come together and support the Celtics. Closure times for Canal Street will vary based on game day start times and will be posted on boston.gov. The street will remain closed to traffic until one hour after the game ends. Parking regulations will also be posted ahead of the first playoff game on Saturday, April 19, and any vehicles in violation will be towed.

More on Boston Chron

• City of Boston Conducts 46th Annual Homelessness Census
• Boston: January 23, 2026 Traffic Advisory
• Crossroads4Hope Welcomes New Trustees to Board of Directors as Organization Enters 25th Year of Caring
• Boston's Newest Environmental Sensor Network is Complete
• PromptBuilder.cc Launches AI Prompt Generator Optimized For ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok & Claude

Segun Idowu, Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion, expressed his excitement for this partnership between the city of Boston, the Boston Celtics, and the Downtown North Association. "The City continues to find new ways to revitalize our downtown core and support our small businesses," he said. "The Boston Playoff Hub on Canal Street is an important step towards Mayor Wu's vision of a welcoming city for all."

Rich Gotham, Team President of the Boston Celtics, also shared his gratitude for this initiative. "Few places capture the excitement of game day like TD Garden, especially with the Celtics in playoffs," he said. "We'd like to express our gratitude to Mayor Wu and the City of Boston for reintroducing the Playoff Hub on Canal Street, giving fans the chance to come together, rally behind the team, and shine a spotlight on local businesses. We're looking forward to another strong playoff run with the best fans in the world."

Glen Thornborough, President of TD Garden and COO of the Boston Bruins, echoed this sentiment. "We are proud to once again welcome the NBA Playoffs to TD Garden," he said. "Celtics playoff basketball is an incredible experience and we are grateful to Mayor Wu, City of Boston and the Downtown North Association for bringing the Playoff Hub back to Canal Street. It extends the exhilarating and electric atmosphere that defines our venue into the community and enhances the excitement for neighborhood and local businesses."

More on Boston Chron

• UK Financial Ltd Advances Compliance Strategy With January 30th CATEX Exchange Listing Of Maya Preferred PRA Preferred Class Regulated Security Token
• Boston: Mayor Wu Highlights Partnership with Madison Park to Offer Student Co-Op Opportunities in the City
• Boston: Mayor Wu Declares Cold Emergency and Shares Safety Tips as Brutally Cold Weather Arrives this Weekend
• NOW OPEN - New Single Family Home Community in Manalapan
• Kintetsu And Oversee Announce New Partnership

Jay Walsh, Director of Downtown North Association, also expressed his excitement for this event. "The Downtown North Association is excited to see the return of Canal Street as the Playoff Hub," he said. "We look forward to welcoming Celtics fans to the area and creating an exciting festive atmosphere. We are grateful to Mayor Wu and the City of Boston for their support, and we can't wait to see our team defend their championship."

With this announcement, it is clear that Mayor Wu's vision for a united and vibrant city is coming into fruition. The Boston Playoff Hub on Canal Street will not only provide a space for fans to gather but also support local businesses in downtown Boston. As residents eagerly await Sunday's playoff game, all eyes will be on Canal Street as it transforms into a hub of excitement and celebration.

---

Show All News | Report Violation