[3] It is also widely believed the first organized ice hockey game in the United States was played in Concord, New Hampshire, in 1883.
On November 1, 1924, the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League became the first NHL franchise to be based in the United States.
Both the oldest Major League Baseball (MLB) professional baseball park still in use, Fenway Park, dating from April 1912, as well as the oldest indoor ice hockey rink still in use worldwide, Matthews Arena, which first opened in 1910 and currently stands on the property of Northeastern University for their collegiate ice hockey teams, are within the Boston city limits.
Originally known as the New England Whalers, they changed their name in 1979 after leaving the WHA for the NHL, hoping to carve a niche market in Hartford.
Additionally, until the team relocated to Washington, D.C., for the start of the 2005 season, the Montreal Expos received some fan support in northern New England.
Their football team also garnered support while current Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan played for the Eagles.
Both NASCAR Cup races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway draw over 100,000 fans, thus making NHMS the largest capacity sports venue in New England.