Boston's Best Fall Sporting Events

Fall is a rejuvenating season in Boston sports. Some of the biggest teams are about to start their regular seasons, college teams are getting back on the fields and on the ice and the city is ready to cheer on its favorites. Fall also offers some ways for athletes in the area to get active for a cause or just for the fun of it. Whether a person enjoys organized sports or likes dressing up like a superhero, there is a way to get sporty this fall in Boston.

New England Patriots vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Gillette Stadium
1 Patriot Place
Foxborough, MA 02035
(508) 543-8200
www.patriots.com

Date: Oct. 5, 2014

Gillette Stadium is about a 45-minute drive outside of Boston, but it might as well be a part of the city. It is the home of the New England Patriots, ostensibly the team of many states, but really Boston's football team. On October 5, the team is coming home for its first regular season home game of 2014. This is always an exciting time for Pats fans. It may be a more casual event than the championship games that inevitably come later in the season, but that is part of the fun. Enjoy a nice, relaxing game before football starts offering up aneurysms.

Boston Bruins vs. Philadelphia Flyers
TD Garden
100 Legends Way
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 624-1050
www.bostonbruins.com

Date: Oct. 8, 2014

The Boston Bruins are playing their first home game of the regular season against the Philadelphia Flyers on October 8. The match-up is a decent one, but the real thrill is in seeing the B's back in a game that counts. The 13-14 season ended on a bit of a sour note, so fans will be eager to see if their favorite players are going to play a good game this year. It is time for hockey fans to break out their jerseys again and go get chilly at the old Garden.

Related: Guide to Gillette Stadium: Home of the Patriots

2014 Starry Night Boston
Franklin Park Zoo
1 Franklin Park Road
Boston, MA 02121
(617) 541-5466
www.pbft,convio.net

Date: Oct. 18, 2014

Starry Night Boston is a walk to support the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. The course is 8.5 miles and can be walked or ran. Participants can also do a two-person relay if the full course is too demanding. Other sporty activities during Starry Night Boston include a 50-yard dash. While the night belongs to children suffering from brain tumors, putting sneakers to pavement for a good time is encouraged. The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute needs caring runners to make an effort.

Harvard Crimson vs. Yale Bulldogs
Harvard Athletics Complex
65 N. Harvard St.
Boston, MA 02163
(617) 495-2207
www.gocrimson.com

Date: Nov. 22, 2014

The bitter rivalry between Yale and Harvard certainly extends to the schools' football teams. That is why 2014's home game vs. Yale at the Harvard Athletics Complex should be one of the best local college games of the year. Known by fans of both teams as "The Game," this pairing is a seasonal tradition that began more than a century ago in 1875. There are always plenty of shenanigans to be had at this end-of-season game. Even MIT gets in on the fun with pranks from time to time.

Superhero 5K
Central Square
Cambridge, MA 02138
www.have2run.com

Date: Oct. 26, 2014

Have2Run Productions is the social sporting event production company behind Cambridge's 6th annual Superhero 5K. Participants in this race can run or walk their way to the finish line at whatever pace they like. The casual atmosphere is great, but that is not even the best part. As the name suggests, superheroes join in on this race. Participants are encouraged to dress as their favorite superheroes. During this race, runners and walkers can be any heroic character they want.

Related: Boston's Best Tourist Attraction Worth The Hype