The Championship Banner Ceremony

Lore & Background

The Celtics raised Eastern Division championship banners at Boston Garden in the 1960s, but stopped this practice by the 1970s. The team's old championship banners and retired numbers now hang at the Auerbach Center in Boston; a new set of banners was made for the move to the FleetCenter (now TD Garden).

In Their Own Story

The arena lights dimmed, leaving only a single spotlight on center court where the retired legends stood in silence. The crowd held its breath, a collective anticipation heavier than any playoff game. Suddenly, the music cut out, and the sound of a banner unfurling echoed off the concrete walls. Slowly, the golden fabric bearing the number '18' rose, passing the scoreboard, climbing higher until it nestled perfectly among the sea of green and gold above.

Reader's Guide

The Boston Garden was located above North Station in Boston. It was demolished in 1998, three years after the completion of its successor arena, TD Garden.

Did You Know?

• The Celtics' old championship banners and retired numbers now hang at the Auerbach Center in Boston.
• The Celtics used to raise Eastern Division championship banners at Boston Garden in the 1960s, but stopped this practice by the 1970s.
• A new set of banners was made for the Celtics' move to the FleetCenter (now TD Garden).