Which Boston Venue Owners Are Ready to Commit to 2024?

Photo by CoreForce via Flickr

Last week, former gubernatorial candidate and United Independent Party head Evan Falchuck released documents presented to Gov. Charlie Baker by Olympic bid organizers in a March 23 closed door meeting. These documents, obtained via public records request, flesh out Boston 2024’s vision for the future of the area surrounding Widett Circle, where a temporary, 60,000-seat stadium would be erected. The short version: hotels, shops, residences, and office space.

Though plenty has been written, discussed on sports talk radio, and hashed out in public forums regarding the placement and construction of new venues, it’s worth remembering that the bid will seek to use existing venues as well. The following is a list of owners of potential Boston 2024 venues who, according to feasibility studies featured in bid documents released in January, have already engaged with organizers about committing their spaces to the bid.

City of Boston
Venue: White Stadium (City owns land, White Foundation owns stadium)
Sports: Equestrian (Dressage, Jumping, Cross Country), Modern Pentathlon.
Status: “The City of Boston is fully involved in the Boston 2024 planning process and supportive of the planning effort…Use of White Stadium for Equestrian events has been discussed with the city administration…The City of Boston is prepared to negotiate access and use prior to the submission of a bid to the IOC.”

Mass. Convention Center Authority
Venue: Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.
Sports: Gymnastics (Rhythmic), Judo, Taekwondo, Table Tennis, Wrestling.
Status: “The MCCA is working closely with Boston 2024…The Boston 2024 Partnership has engaged in in-depth discussions with the MCCA about venue access and use…The owner is very interested in negotiating access and use prior to the submission of a bid to the IOC.”

Boston University
Venue: Agganis Arena.
Sport: Badminton.
Status: “The owner of Agganis Arena is currently involved in the Boston 2024 planning process and supportive of the planning effort…Preliminary discussions with Boston University have confirmed venue availability…The owner is prepared to negotiate access and use prior to the submission of a bid to the IOC.”

Photo via November Project Facebook.

Harvard University
Venues: Harvard Stadium, Albert H. Gordon Track.
Sports: Hockey, Fencing.
Status: “The senior administrative officials of Harvard University have been involved in our planning. The Executive Vice President of Harvard University is a member of the Executive Committee for the Boston 2024 Partnership…Access and use of the Harvard playing fields, Allston Landing and Beacon Yards has been reviewed with senior administration officials of Harvard University…Harvard University is prepared to negotiate access and use prior to the submission of a bid to the IOC.”

UMass Lowell
Venue: Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell.
Sport: Boxing.
Status: “UMass Lowell is currently involved in the Boston 2024 planning process and are supportive of the planning effort…Preliminary discussions with the owner of the Tsongas Center have confirmed venue availability…We anticipate the owner’s interest and support in negotiations prior to the submission of a bid to the IOC.”

Image via Shutterstock

Delaware North Companies
Venue: TD Garden
Sports: Basketball (Final), Athletics (Artistic, Trampoline).
Status: “The owner of TD Garden is aware of the Boston 2024 planning process and supportive of the planning effort…Preliminary discussions with the owner of TD Garden have confirmed venue availability…We anticipate the owner’s interest and support in negotiations prior to the submission of a bid to the IOC.”

Photo via Flickr.com/LaurenBethC

Kraft Sports Group
Venue: Gillette Stadium.
Sports: Football (Finals), Rugby.
Status: “The owner has been involved in the Boston 2024 planning process and supportive of the planning effort…Use of Gillette Stadium for Football events has been discussed with the owner who has confirmed venue availability…The owner is prepared to negotiate access and use prior to the submission of a bid to the IOC.”

Trustrees of The Country Club
Venue: The Country Club.
Sport: Golf.
Status: “The trustees of The Country Club are supportive of the proposed use…Preliminary discussions with the Trustees have confirmed venue availability…We anticipate the owner’s interest and support in negotiating access and use prior to the submission of a bid to the IOC.”

Photo by John Petitt via Flickr

Live Nation
Venue: Blue Hills Bank Pavilion (Massport owns the land.)
Sport: Weightlifting.
Status: “The Blue Hills Bank Pavilion is a for-rent facility…Preliminary discussions with the owner have confirmed venue availability…The owner is prepared to discuss access and use prior to the submission of a bid to the IOC.”