This New England City is the Best in the U.S for Hockey Fans

Hockey fans are known for being very, um well, passionate! They are intense in the ebst way and it's for a plethora of reasons.

It's Fast-Paced

Hockey is one of the fastest moving team sports. The players are in constant motion, they hit each other HARD and the quick transitions definitely keep fans on edge. The adrenaline directly transfers into the fan experience- it's very emotionally engaging.

It's Physicality and Grit

We can't talk about hockey without mentioning the iconic (though controversial) fights—it makes the game feel primal and raw! Fans admire the toughness of players who push through pain and sacrifice for their team.

Strong Team Identity and Local Pride

Hockey often plays a big role in regional identity. For many, supporting their team is tied to local culture and pride.

Smaller, Tighter Fan Communities

Compared to sports like football or basketball, hockey often has smaller fanbases. This can create a more tight-knit, loyal community.

Read More: There is No Other Town on Earth With This New Hampshire Town's Name

Underdog Mentality

Hockey often gets less mainstream media attention than other major sports, and who doesn't love rooting for the underdog?

 Playoff Drama

The Stanley Cup Playoffs are famously intense and unpredictable. Overtime goals, sudden-death situations, and the endurance test of a long playoff run create unforgettable moments that forge deep emotional bonds.

Wallethub conducted a study to find 2025's best cities for hockey in the U.S for fans.

To determine the best places for hockey spectators, WalletHub compared 76 U.S. cities based on two divisional categories, professional and college hockey, across 21 key metrics. The data set ranges from the performance level of the city’s teams to minimum season ticket prices to stadium capacity.

Boston came in at #1 for the best city in the country for hockey fans!  The Boston Bruins’ performance level, is 2.2 times better than that of the San Jose Sharks. Surprising? No, not really. No offense, but I haven't met to many sharks fans in my day.

The Boston Bruins have the most regular season wins in NHL history. The Bruins have also won 20 division titles and have taken home six Stanley Cups, giving Boston the third-most of any city.

Also the Boston Bruins are the second-most valuable NHL team, worth $2.7 billion, (holy guacamole!) and they have the third-most engaged fans on social media.

Boston also does well when it comes to NCAA hockey. It has three Division 1 teams, the Boston College Eagles, Boston University Terriers, and Northeastern University Huskies. Collectively, these teams have brought Boston 10 NCAA titles, the most of any city, with the wins split between Boston College and Boston University.

It is no surprise that Boston came in at #1. Check out the full list here.