Enjoyed by a great many throughout the world, soccer is a brilliant game that can be played on a multitude of different surfaces by individuals of all ages and abilities. More commonly known as football around the globe, this immensely popular sport is played by more people than any other. Whether participating in a hard-fought battle on a flawlessly marked regulation sized field with 11 players on each side or just meeting up with some friends to kick the ball around on an imperfect large patch of grass, this highly enjoyable physical activity is a great workout that leaves you feeling like a million bucks.
If you’re looking to get your kicks on the very best soccer fields in Boston area, this article is for you. We’ve scoured the city far and wide to find outstanding places to play the game so you don’t get caught sleeping on terrible surfaces. Get ready to elevate your game to new heights and become a big-time player with these championship caliber facilities.
Hand-Picked Soccer Fields in the Boston Metro
1) Elm Bank Reservation in Wellesley
A picturesque park situated on the banks of the Charles River in the western suburb of Wellesley, Elm Bank features a garden estate with a stunning manor house and beautiful botanical gardens to wander. We’re here, however, to highlight the scores of perfectly maintained grass soccer fields covering a good portion of the vast park. Whether you’re looking to have a bit of fun and pass the ball back and forth with a few friends or organize a serious match with a larger group of players, Elm Bank’s sea of soccer fields is a terrific option to play the game.
2) Madison Park (O’Bryant Athletic Complex) in Roxbury
With two amazing synthetic turf soccer fields, this park provides flawless surfaces for soccer loving city dwellers to compete. Given the impeccable condition of these fields and their convenient urban location, it’s not surprising to see their extensive use. Improve your endurance and achieve peak performance on the field with all-out sprints on the first-rate track or get stronger by taking advantage of the newly installed outdoor gym and take your tackling abilities to the next level.
3) American Legion Playground in East Boston
Already featured in our “Top 10 Basketball Courts in Boston” article for its excellent basketball courts, this great park also has a superb artificial grass soccer field. With clearly marked lines and a fully uniform surface, you can expect your passes to arrive on target. A hard-to-find futsal court is located alongside the field for those looking to experience the game within smaller parameters while maintaining the fun.
4) Filippello Playground in Watertown
This wonderful park is a fantastic place to spend time outdoors for the whole family with amenities like a splash pad, off-leash dog park, and plenty of benches and picnic tables to relax on. Multiple grass soccer fields occupy much of the space and extra nets provide the opportunity for several games to be played per field at once. A nice park BBQ (grills available on-site) after an intense match is a good-natured way for the winning and losing sides to get together and to savor some fine flavors while debating who will win the next contest and discussing potential lineup changes.
5) Harry Downes Field in Brookline
A town staple for sports the past great number of years, this well-known athletic hotspot was extensively renovated a few years ago and is in better shape than ever. The immaculate multi-purpose synthetic turf athletic field is visually stunning with well-marked colorful lines enabling true corner kicks and penalty shots for official soccer games to take place. The wonderful track surrounding the field is well-suited for calculated warm up runs while the obstacle course, with elements like a climbing wall and a Ninja Warrior style slanted wall run, can boost balance and power.
6) Skyline Park in Brookline
We’ve written about this location in our “Beyond Counting Steps: 12 Perfect Walks in Boston” blog as a top choice for a walk, but the focal point of this park is the impressive soccer field. Positioned at the top of the park under the backdrop of tree covered hills and gorgeous summer sunsets, the beautiful artificial field is a delight to battle for the ball on. Picnic tables under the spacious gazebo can be used to take a break and recharge before the 2nd half plus extensive walking paths offer a nice way to cool down after a hard-fought match.
7) Danehy Park in Cambridge
Once the site of a landfill decades ago, folks from a bygone time would find it hard to believe this space has transformed to become the soccer mecca of Cambridge. In a dense city location where real estate is at a premium, it’s somewhat surprising to find 4 faux grass soccer fields in tip-top condition where soccer games of all levels are played from sunrise to sunset. With 2 regulation size FIFA fields ready for 11v11 action plus 2 slightly smaller ones, all having additional nets and nicely marked turf surfaces, Danehy Park can be considered to have the best soccer fields in the Boston area.
8) Millennium Park in West Roxbury
A popular destination for park goers of all ages and interests, this enormous outdoor space includes an eye-catching playground, lengthy walking paths and nature trails, a canoe launch ramp onto the Charles River, tennis and basketball courts, and of course, quite a few soccer fields. The upper sections of the park are made up of 3 large fields equipped with soccer nets that can allow for loads of matches just as well as a small group of friends looking to kick the ball around and enjoy some sunshine. The lower level of the park has a fantastic synthetic turf surface with easily visible soccer field markings like the penalty area and perimeter lines indicating the boundary of intense competition.
9) William E. Carter Playground in the South End
Engage your opponents under bright lights and tall buildings in the heart of the city on the impeccable soccer field at this recently reconstructed park. Perfectly maintained and ready for all types of soccer action, this stunning surface can absorb aggressive competition between experienced teams or less heated pickup games amongst local university students. Unwind and dry up on one of the many unique seating options available on a hot summer evening while soaking in the sights and sounds of urban life.
10) LoPresti Park in East Boston
Enjoy panoramic waterfront views of the Boston skyline while getting your kicks at one of the best soccer fields in Boston. The artificial grass painted with well-defined streaks can accommodate easygoing pickup games or fierce competition between longtime rivals. Set aside a few minutes after playing to appreciate the stunning cityscape across the channel to avoid having it take your breath away in-game.
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And there you have it…our list of superb soccer fields in Boston is complete. We strive to pass down knowledge of the best parks in Beantown and hope we’ve achieved our goal of presenting top-notch surfaces that will help maintain your enthusiasm for the game loved by so many. The Parkscape app has even more incredible soccer spots to reveal, so be sure to check it out on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and discover all grounds that can accommodate the most engaged in sport worldwide.
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