2025 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Boston

[Carolla5501]

The email says: “Per the building’s security and other rules, outside toys/stuffed animals will not be permitted.” So that sounds like a preexisting rule. Which should have been communicated more than 12 days before the start of the event. I’m sure a lot of fans have already purchased items to give to the skaters.

OK, so you want them to go exactly by the rules published on their website. That means you will not be able to bring in anything bigger than that clutch.

We are going to go explicitly by the rules except and when we don’t like the rules.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

OK, so you want them to go exactly by the rules published on their website. That means you will not be able to bring in anything bigger than that clutch.

We are going to go explicitly by the rules except and when we don’t like the rules.

I’m saying if this is a prohibited item then it should either be on the list or should have been communicated well in advance. This isn’t the first rodeo for these organizers so they know what’s involved in figure skating events.

 

[BittyBug]

I’m sure a lot of fans have already purchased items to give to the skaters.

You could always drop them off at the front desk of the official hotel.

 

[Karen-W]

I’m saying if this is a prohibited item then it should either be on the list or should have been communicated well in advance. This isn’t the first rodeo for these organizers so they know what’s involved in figure skating events.

Well, it has been 9 years since Worlds was held in the US. Were flowers still being thrown or was it limited to just stuffies by that point in time?

It's clear, reading the communication from the event organizers, that the concessions/merchandise vendors union at TD Garden stepped in and decided they wanted a monopoly. It could be this was something the Worlds organizers were trying to negotiate or they weren't sure if the vendors would have a supply of stuffies available to sell at the arena.

Additionally, hate to say it, but in this day and age, I wouldn't want to allow fans to bring in stuffies/plushies - it's a security risk and an obvious way to hide contraband or dangerous materials.

As it is, the complaints about the arena policy read very much like #firstworldproblems.

 

[tony]

I have so many hotels on hold and able to be cancelled to the last minute, but I just found DoubleTree Downtown (1 mile from arena) for $110 a night. I paid and it's non-refundable finally, but for anyone else, there are constantly deals popping up.

Click here and hopefully it links to the Google Hotels list with current prices for said DoubleTree.

ETA- to clarify my dates are Monday PM the 24th through Sunday AM the 30th.

 

[Debbie S]

Flowers? They've been banned from being thrown at U.S. skating events since 9-11/2002 Nats. That Nats also banned outside stuffies citing a security risk but since then, stuffies have been allowed at every skating comp I've attended, w/o incident.

As was discussed at the time, if someone wants to bring in contraband or something dangerous, there are easier ways to do that instead of hiding it in stuffies.

If people don't want to read a discussion about arena policies in response to an email sent to ticketholders, well....it's not like reading this thread is required....

 

[floridaice]

What?! So I have to hold on to Torg’s stuffed pizza slice until Nats next year?

The pizza is kinda bulky but I might be able to fit it under my jacket and pretend I’m pregnant.

Turn those pizza slices into shoulder pads. Channel your inner Alexis Carrington / Joan Collins!

 

[YukiNieve]

The ban on bringing stuffed animals is mentioned in the FAQ on the official website, although I do not know when it was put here. It sounds more like it is about not disturbing the sales of the vendors inside the arena than about safety issues :

Can I bring stuffed animals to throw on the ice?

Stuffed animals are not allowed in the venue per the building’s union guidelines. Vendors will be selling stuff animals that will be available for purchase.

 

[peibeck]

@tony I stayed at that Doubletree when the last Nationals were in Boston. It was good, quiet. It's a bit desolate late at night, but I recall it's close to the subway. My biggest gripe was no door on the "closet" area. Also you need your room key to access the elevator, but the digital key wasn't reliable on the Hilton app (so I just switched to a plastic key).

 

[YukiNieve]

You could always drop them off at the front desk of the official hotel.

Do we already know where the official hotel is?

 

[Lanie]

It's the Marriott Copely, which I believe was the same hotel in 2016.

 

[nguyhm]

Do we already know where the official hotel is?

ISU webpage says it's the Four Seasons hotel on Dalton Street.

 

[4rkidz]

ISU webpage says it's the Four Seasons hotel on Dalton Street.

I think that is for officials not skaters

 

[Carolla5501]

@tony I stayed at that Doubletree when the last Nationals were in Boston. It was good, quiet. It's a bit desolate late at night, but I recall it's close to the subway. My biggest gripe was no door on the "closet" area. Also you need your room key to access the elevator, but the digital key wasn't reliable on the Hilton app (so I just switched to a plastic key).

This key issue is consistent at Hilton owned hotels nationwide. So anyone staying at one, get a hard key!

 

[Aceon6]

Other things to consider…

If you are a coffee person and need it to survive, get a Dunkin’ or Starbucks card as soon as you arrive and download the app. There will be lines at the places closest to the Garden, so preorder and/or payment with the chain’s card will speed things up.

As noted upthread, it’s cash only at many North End restaurants. Take a minute to locate the ATMs that align with your bank that are closest to your accommodations as well as the Garden.

Taxis still exist. If the price or wait time for Uber/Lyft aren’t to your liking, there are cab stands at North Station, Faneuil Hall and all the hotels.

If you plan to use the T, you can buy a CharlieTicket at North Station. The MBTA staff can advise you on how much to load based on how you plan to use it. There’s also an app for folks who will be using commuter rail, download mTicket from your app store.

 

[ross_hy]

Today’s email said they will give out wristbands to all event ticket holders if you attend morning practice. They’re going to scan the practice pass and your ticket for the first event of the day.

If you're like me and are planning to leave the arena between morning practice and the first event, you'll want to have only your practice pass scanned.

Per a follow-up email that I sent, "If you're planning to leave and then re-enter, you should only have your practice pass scanned. The wristband is purely to give folks planning to stay through practices into competition the ability to stay in the building."

 

[clairecloutier]

Other things to consider…

If you are a coffee person and need it to survive, get a Dunkin’ or Starbucks card as soon as you arrive and download the app. There will be lines at the places closest to the Garden, so preorder and/or payment with the chain’s card will speed things up.

As noted upthread, it’s cash only at many North End restaurants. Take a minute to locate the ATMs that align with your bank that are closest to your accommodations as well as the Garden.

Taxis still exist. If the price or wait time for Uber/Lyft aren’t to your liking, there are cab stands at North Station, Faneuil Hall and all the hotels.

If you plan to use the T, you can buy a CharlieTicket at North Station. The MBTA staff can advise you on how much to load based on how you plan to use it. There’s also an app for folks who will be using commuter rail, download mTicket from your app store.

Is there a Starbucks inside the arena itself? I was at North Station the other day & didn't see one in the station. But maybe I missed it?

 

[Aceon6]

Is there a Starbucks inside the arena itself? I was at North Station the other day & didn't see one in the station. But maybe I missed it?

It’s in the Star Market.
Dunks is in North Station, but the better one is across the street on Causeway

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Is there a Starbucks inside the arena itself? I was at North Station the other day & didn't see one in the station. But maybe I missed it?

You’re my kind of gal

 

[Spikefan]

I am going to check out Kicco Italian Coffee just west of TD Garden. I like to do non chains when possible and their prices look good.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

I am going to check out Kicco Italian Coffee just west of TD Garden. I like to do non chains when possible and their prices look good.

You'll have to meet my sister in Boston. She loves to check out local coffee joints too

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

You'll have to meet my sister in Boston. She loves to check out local coffee joints too

Me tooooo

You will have to FaceTime me

 

[SidelineSkater]

Me tooooo

You will have to FaceTime me

Why? @AngieNikodinovLove (ANL) You will be there in person. For face to face time with all your fans and Amber!

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Why? @AngieNikodinovLove (ANL) You will be there in person. For face to face time with all your fans and Amber!

I know………

 

[peibeck]

I know………

Did your plans change since Monday?

 

[UMBS Go Blue]

FYI, if you don't already have a CharlieCard, you no longer need to get a new one to pay for the T. You can tap your phone (Apple, Google, Samsung Pay) or tap a credit card on bright white screens while entering any subway station, street-level Green Line trolley, or bus, just like you already do in NYC. You will enjoy the same transfers that you would with a CharlieCard. Here is another video on the tap-to-pay roll out.

If you still have a CharlieCard and want to clean out the balance, of course you can still use it. Just tap the older CharlieCard readers with CharlieCard stickers on them (these are separate from the white screens mentioned above).

Also, if you plan on using the T a lot, you can still load a CharlieCard with a 7-day pass, or buy a 7-day paper CharlieTicket from any subway station vending machine. You would need to use the T at least 10 times during your time in Boston to make a 7-day pass worth it. The new tap-to-pay feature mentioned above does not incorporate passes or automatic NYC/London-style fare-capping yet.

This having been said, you might want to keep your phones, wallets, purses, or payment-enabled smart watches away from these white screens while entering a station or bus, or while taking a Green Line trolley so you don't inadvertently pay extra.

If you use the commuter rail, you will need the separate mTicket app.

The T has had a rough few years but things have improved dramatically in the last 12 months. But it's an old system and problems may arise in whack-a-mole fashion. You may want to check the MBTA website to see if there are any weekend or nighttime alerts or diversions.

Editing again to add: if you're traveling light, you can jump on the Silver Line at the airport for free when you arrive. You can then transfer to the subway for free at South Station. The Silver Line is a set of rapid bus lines; the one that serves the airport has dedicated baggage racks. It is not otherwise free if you're not jumping on it at the airport.

And another tip: use general street smarts while out and about, and be especially careful with your wallets, purses, and belongings when entering or exiting a fare gate. These gates usually stay open just long enough to allow fare evaders to scoot in behind you.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Well the live Runthrough podcast is $75 which includes a breakfast buffet at Banners. Saturday morning 9-11. I’m a fan but not that big a fan!

ETA: Ok the official announcement says proceeds will go the USFS Family Support Fund so at least it’s going to a good cause.

 

[tony]

Well the live Runthrough podcast is $75 which includes a breakfast buffet at Banners. Saturday morning 9-11. I’m a fan but not that big a fan!

Better planning than the Boitano's lounge thing, at least, which will cut into the full first group of the pairs free skate and maybe more. And then you get a ticket to go watch whatever is left of it. Plus the $400 price tag or whatever it is.

 

[Aceon6]

To add to the @UMBS Go Blue info, make note of the last train times, especially on commuter rail. For example, the train I used to use has a train outbound from North Station at 9:40 pm which is too early if you want to see everyone. The next and last train is 11:40.

Regular MBTA service ends between 11:30 pm and 1 am depending on the line. Buses end earlier than the subway system.

 

[Rukia]

Better planning than the Boitano's lounge thing, at least, which will cut into the full first group of the pairs free skate and maybe more. And then you get a ticket to go watch whatever is left of it. Plus the $400 price tag or whatever it is.

i can bring the kids for only $175 each what a deal