Simoni Ice Rink

During our home season we play some games at the Simoni Rink in Cambridge. Read on for answers to frequently asked questions, or email us at info@bostonderby.com with any other questions you have!

Where is the game?
Simoni Ice Rink
155 Gore St
Cambridge, MA 02141

How do I get there?
T: Take the Green Line to Lechmere Station, then walk to Simoni (.5 miles)
BUS: The 88, 87, 80, and 69 bus will take you to a short walk from Simoni. We suggest using Google Maps transit directions to find the best route if you’re going by bus.
CAR: Parking is limited, and we recommend you take public transit if possible. That said, if you want to drive, here are the deets: Simoni is located in Cambridge off Cambridge St. From 93N, take exit 26, then take MA-28N, turn left on 3rd St, then right onto Gore St. From 93S, take exit 30, MA-38S, turn right at MW-28S and take McGrath Highway. Take the exit for Medford St and continue onto Gore St. From 90E: Take exit 18 for Cambridge and continue onto Prospect St; turn right onto Cambridge St, left onto 7th St, then right onto Gore St.

Where can I park?
Folks with a Cambridge resident parking sticker can park for free on residential streets. Meter parking can be found on Cambridge Street one block south of the rink. Please do not park in the Twin City Plaza lot, as they strictly enforce their parking and will tow your vehicle! If you’re planning on driving, please arrive early; otherwise, you may find yourself parked several blocks from the game!

Where can I get tickets?
Before game day you can buy tickets online through EventBrite; online sales end at 12PM on the day of the event.
On game day, tickets will be available first-come, first-serve at the door starting at 4PM. The box office will be open from 4PM-7PM for purchase and will-call pickup.

I’m a first-timer. What should I know before going to a game?
Roller derby is a full contact sport played on roller skates! Our league plays on the flat track under the rules of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), and is made up of skaters age 18 and older.

Roller derby in a nutshell: Each team has up to five players on the track each—4 blockers and 1 jammer. The blockers stay in a pack playing defense and offence at the same time! The jammer, the skater with the star on their helmet, scores points by passing blockers on the other team.
We’ve written our own How to Watch Roller Derby guide, and if you only have a few minutes we suggest watching this video for a quick primer.

Are your games family-friendly?
Yes, we’re as family friendly as any other sporting event! We love seeing families, kids, and even birthday parties at our games, we even offer special kids pricing for tickets. Most skaters play under fun pseudonyms, and some of them may be PG or PG-13, but our announcers and vendors keep it PG at all times. If you want to screen skater names ahead of time, just check out our Team pages.

How long is a game?
Roller derby games have two 30 minute halves with a running clock (except during timeouts) and a 15 minute halftime. This means that games usually last between 90 minutes and two hours. Games starting at 5PM should end by 6:30PM, and the second game should end no later than 9PM.

How loud are these games?
When the rink is packed, Simoni can get pretty loud, derby is exciting! But the space is big enough that sound isn’t usually a problem. Whistles are a part of the game and we usually have a live band for entertainment. If you’re comfortable at any professional sports arena, you’ll be fine at Simoni. However, if you’re sensitive to sound you should probably bring earplugs, just to be safe.

Are the seats assigned?
Nope, seating is general admission, so get there early to sit with your friends and get the best seats! We do offer special trackside seating for VIP ticket holders available on a first come first serve basis.

Can you accommodate a large group? I want to bring all of my co-workers, Girl Scout Troop, my bachelor/bachelorette party, etc.
Yes, but get there early as seating isn’t reserved in advance! If you’re coming with an extra large group email us at tickets@bostonderby.com for special pricing info.

Is there accessible seating?
Yes! There are reserved seating areas for folks in wheelchairs and with ambulatory impairments.

Will there be food and beverages?
Yes! We always have food trucks parked on site, and we sell non-alcoholic beverages and snacks inside. They will be easily accessible throughout the game.

Will there be booze?
There is no alcohol served at, or allowed inside, Simoni Rink. However, there are plenty of restaurants and bars within walking distance of Simoni, so you’ll easily be able to grab a drink before or after the game if you are so inclined.

Is there air conditioning?
There is no air conditioning at Simoni, but it tends to be much cooler inside the rink than outside. You should be comfortable in typical casual summer clothing.