By: Kelsea Durham | Follow me on Twitter / X @kelseadurham
Boston, Massachusetts, has seen its fair share of women’s hockey in Agganis Arena and TD Garden, and the numbers have made a grand statement for the case of where the Fleet should call home. On April 11, 2026, the Boston Fleet faced the Montreal Victoire in front of a sold-out crowd of 17,850 fans at TD Garden.
The Fleet fell 1–0, but the result on the ice was overshadowed by the atmosphere in the building. The energy inside the building was undeniable, and the crowd marked the second-highest PWHL attendance in the United States. This crowd helped reinforce what many already believe: Boston is ready for women’s hockey on a bigger stage.
The Fleet primarily plays at Tsongas Center in Lowell, Massachusetts, which holds 6,500 fans. Even in a smaller venue, the numbers show steady growth. This season, the team reached at least 80% capacity in three of its seven games, a noticeable improvement from their inaugural year. Agganis Arena in Boston, which serves as a secondary home with a capacity of 6,150, has also seen a strong turnout this season, hitting 80% or higher in three of four games.
That growth becomes even clearer when placed next to the first season’s numbers. In 2024, the Fleet reached 80% capacity at Tsongas just once across ten home games, finishing with a total attendance of 41,474. This season, while playing only seven games in Lowell, the team drew 39,082 fans. That shift pushed the average attendance from about 4,147 per game in 2024 to roughly 5,583 this year, marking a significant increase in per-game turnout.
With those numbers continuing to trend upward, the question of where the Fleet should call home has only grown louder. There is a clear divide among fans, and both sides bring valid arguments to the table.
Many support a full-time move to Boston, pointing to accessibility as a major factor. With public transportation options and a centralized location, games would become more convenient for a larger portion of the fanbase. There is also the added benefit of the team building into Boston’s established sports culture, where they could thrive alongside other professional women’s teams and draw in new audiences.
On the other hand, there is strong support for staying at Tsongas Center. The venue has become a consistent and reliable home, helping the Fleet build a loyal following in the Greater Lowell area and beyond. It also plays a key role in reaching fans from New Hampshire and Maine, expanding the team’s regional footprint. For many in northern New England, access to professional women’s sports is limited, and the Fleet provides a rare opportunity to connect with the game at a high level.
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