VOL 26 ISSUE 37, Sept. 15, 2025
TD Garden, Delaware North’s state-of-the-art arena in Boston, continues to redefine the fan experience, recently earning two prestigious recognitions that spotlight the venue’s commitment to innovation, hospitality and operational excellence.
Best New Technology: Pollstar and VenuesNow Excellence in Concessions
TD Garden was honored with the Best New Technology award at the 2025 Excellence in Concessions Awards by Pollstar and VenuesNow for its partnership with Napa Technology. The award celebrates the venue’s cutting-edge beverage dispensers installed at Provisions MRKT, a premium-level grab-and-go concept on Level 5.
These sleek dispensers allow guests to pour custom servings of premium wines and bourbon by the ounce, combining speed with sophistication. The technology not only enhances convenience but also preserves the premium feel expected by Boston Garden Society members.
The wine wall debuted in November 2024 and has quickly become a fan favorite, with plans to expand its use to serve other spirits. The innovation reflects TD Garden’s ongoing efforts to elevate the guest experience while embracing smart, scalable technology.
“People are coming and not just for the game anymore,” said Eric Rivers, general manager of TD Garden, who was interviewed by Pollstar for the award profile. “We’re competing with what’s going on outside TD Garden, too. We’re constantly looking to add more experiences because that’s the demand. We want them to leave the Garden to remember the experience, not just who scored the game-winning goal.”
Most Innovative Venues: Front Office Sports 2025 Award
TD Garden also earned a spot on Front Office Sports’ 2025 Most Innovative Venues list, a recognition that highlights the arena’s leadership in venue technology, sustainability and fan engagement, alongside Intuit Dome in California and PHX Arena in Arizona. The awards, developed in collaboration with Sports Innovation Lab, recognize the trailblazing organizations reshaping the future of sports.
An excerpt from the recognition is below.
“TD Garden demonstrates how historic venues can embrace modern technology while strengthening community ties and cultural impact. The arena leads in artificial intelligence adoption to enhance fan experiences, featuring 20+ self-serve checkout kiosks for food, drinks and merchandise. AI-powered security eliminates entry friction by allowing fans to walk through screening without removing personal items, supported by on-staff data science expertise for security and crowd measures overall.
The venue demonstrates environmental leadership through comprehensive composting and used-oil recycling programs, alongside hosting the annual Table of Friends event that welcomes Boston’s unhoused population for community dining experiences.
The venue holds the longest active naming-rights partnership in U.S. sports, extending through 2045 and committing more than $15 million to community programs, exemplifying how iconic facilities can embrace innovation while maintaining their role as cultural anchors and community pillars.”