Currently, the Boston Derby Dames bout in Simoni Ice Rink and Shriners Auditorium. Have questions about Simoni? Here are (we hope) answers to all of your queries and curiosities.
Where is the bout?
. It’s located a few blocks away from the , off Cambridge St.
And, in case you want to plug it into your GPS or Google, the full address:
Simoni Ice Rink
155 Gore St
Cambridge, MA 02141
What’s it look like?
How do I get there?
Simoni is easily-accessibly by T, bus, and car.
T: Take the Green Line to Lechmere Station, then walk to Simoni (.5 miles).
BUS: The 88 and 87 will take you to Somerville St a few blocks north of the rink, while the 85 will take you to Cambridge St a few blocks west of the rink. We suggest using Google Maps’s transit directions to find the best route if you’re going by bus.
CAR: Parking is limited, and we recommend you take the T or bus rather than try and park. 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. For residents of Somerville, Boston, and other cities, 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 bout!
When is your next Cambridge bout?
Summer 2014.
When does the arena open?
Doors open at 6PM, and the game starts at 7PM. Get there early for the best seating (and to pick up some food from our awesome vendors).
Where can I get tickets?
Both online and at the door on bout day; we recommend getting tickets online, however, as our Cambridge bouts tend to quickly sell out.
You can pick up tickets through Brown Paper Tickets; online sales end at 12PM on the day of the event. Tickets can be either mailed or picked up at the door; if you order less than two weeks before the bout, we suggest picking tickets up at the door.
On bout day, tickets will be available first-come, first-serve at the door starting at 5PM. The box office will be open from 5PM-8PM on the day of for purchase and will-call pickup.
Will tickets be available for purchase at the door?
If the bout hasn’t sold out, yes! The box office will open at 5PM on the day of the bout; tickets are first-come, first-serve. You can check to see if we’ve sold out or not by visiting or page.
I’m a first-timer. What should I know before going to a bout?
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 ladies age 21 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 her helmet, scores points by passing opposing blockers!
WFTDA has for first-timers, and we’ve written our own How to Watch Roller Derby guide. If you want to nerd out on roller derby’s many rules and regulations, you can check out . Lastly, if you only have a few minutes, we suggest for a quick primer.
Are your bouts family-friendly?
Yes, we’re as family friendly as any other sporting event! We love seeing families, kids, and even birthday parties at our bouts. 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.
What about pet-friendly? My dog is my family!
While we love animals, we unfortunately can’t allow them inside Simoni. Please leave Bowser and Fluffy at home. ()
How long is a game?
Roller derby bouts have two 30 minute halves with a running clock (except during timeouts) and a 15 minute halftime. This means that bouts usually last between 90 minutes and two hours. With the first whistle at 7:00, we expect this bout to end before 9:00 PM.
How loud are these games?
When the rink is packed (which it will be for this bout), Simoni can get pretty loud, though not close to the decibels you’d experience at TD Garden. If you’re comfortable at any professionals 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! Simoni has both bleachers and floor-level trackside seating available.
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!
Is there accessible seating?
Yes! There are reserved seating areas for folks in wheelchairs and with ambulatory impairments.
What should I bring?
Bring yourself, your friends, and a cheering spirit. (Learn our Boston cheer here.) Please don’t bring any spirits or alcohol, however—Simoni is an alcohol-free establishment, and we want to respect their policies. If you plan to sit trackside, camp chairs, blankets, pillows, and other portable seating options are all welcome.
Where are the restrooms?
The bathrooms are located in the lobby of the rink, on the left hand side as you walk in and the right hand side as you walk out.
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 bout.
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 bout, if you are so inclined.
What about merch?
Merchandise will be available for purchase inside the rink. Signs will point you to the appropriate location.
Can I bring cameras?
We want you to remember your good time, so phones and non-professional point and shoot cameras are welcome! If you’re a professional photographer or have professional gear, you’ll want to contact for permission to shoot at our games!
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.
I have a different question. Who can I contact?
We can answer any other query you have if you .
