Northeastern Will Delay Arena Opening Until 2029

The university is pushing back the launch of its new hockey facility after asbestos was found at the construction site.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Hockey

Northeastern Will Delay Arena Opening Until 2029

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Northeastern University announced a nine-month delay for its new hockey arena, which is now expected to open in the spring or summer of 2029. Construction setbacks involving the discovery of asbestos at the site forced the schedule shift.

Why it matters

The delay complicates scheduling for varsity teams, who must play home games at external venues after the demolition of the former Matthews Arena. This displacement creates significant logistical challenges for students and athletes alike.

The new facility will have a seating capacity of 4,050, which is 500 fewer seats than the previous Matthews Arena. The women's hockey team is scheduled to play nine home games at Boston University and Bentley University arenas.

The players

Northeastern University

A private research university located in Boston that is currently overseeing the development of its new hockey arena.

DogHouse

The student fan organization at Northeastern that provides transportation services to home games for the university's hockey teams.

Boston University

A local academic institution currently serving as an external host venue for Northeastern's home hockey games.

Bentley University

A university in Massachusetts providing its arena facilities to host home games for the Northeastern women's hockey team.

The details

Northeastern was forced to relocate home games following the demolition of Matthews Arena, which required steel supports to address structural stability issues. The university is providing free bus transportation through the DogHouse to help fans reach external venues.

October 10, 2026: The DogHouse offered a free fan bus for the season opener.
March 6, 2027: The men's hockey team plays a home game versus Boston College.
Spring or Summer 2029: The new arena is scheduled to open.

Season Trajectory

The transition to external venues marks a significant shift for the program following the demolition of Matthews Arena. This period of displacement alters the home-field advantage for the men's and women's teams throughout the duration of the multi-year construction delay.

Students can attend home games at external arenas for free, though overall attendance may decline due to the increased travel distance. The men's hockey team has a specific home matchup against Boston College set for March 6, 2027.

The takeaway

The construction timeline underscores the complexity of managing large-scale infrastructure projects while maintaining a varsity athletic program. Students should monitor official university announcements regarding transit schedules to ensure they can attend upcoming home games at external sites.