Boston Weekly has added four fan awards to its Best of Boston 2026 program, recognizing supporters of the Celtics, Bruins, Red Sox and Patriots for both their team loyalty and their contributions to the community. Entries are now being accepted, and organizers have not announced a deadline.
The additions bring the program to 22 categories. Each new honor is intended for a local fan, rather than an athlete or someone employed by a team. Editors will assess the case presented in each nomination, with particular attention to how the nominee connects people or helps others.
Anyone may submit a nomination. Each entry costs $20, with a limit of one nomination for a particular person in a particular category. The program accepts card payments as well as Google Pay and Apple Pay.
What makes a fan eligible?
The four categories share an emphasis on dedication that reaches beyond following scores or watching games. Team traditions and sustained loyalty matter, but the selection process gives special weight to community involvement. Examples identified in the program include organizing charitable collections, supporting youth athletics and assisting other fans.
For Celtics Fan of the Year, the focus is a devoted supporter who carries the enthusiasm associated with the Garden into other settings while contributing to the community. The Bruins category seeks someone whose commitment to following the team is matched by support for fellow fans.
The Red Sox honor centers on a regular at Fenway whose traditions, loyalty and helpful actions distinguish their fandom. For Patriots supporters, the award considers tailgating traditions and team enthusiasm alongside work that benefits the community.
These are Boston Weekly awards, not team-sponsored honors. The program operates independently of the four clubs and their leagues, none of which is affiliated with or endorses the awards.
How nominations are reviewed
The awards do not use a public ballot. Submitting an entry puts a nominee’s story before the newsroom; it does not count as a vote. Editors review every submission and verify finalists before selecting recipients based on the strength of the case.
That approach makes the account of a fan’s involvement central to the nomination. The stated judging priorities cover both the routines that express loyalty and the ways a supporter makes a difference for other people. Repeated submissions are not the mechanism for choosing a winner.
The fan categories expand a group of community-focused honors already in the program. Those include Rising Artist and Local Hero, along with recognition for educators, volunteers, nonprofit organizations and small-business owners. Other awards address areas such as dining and startups.
Winners and finalists will be published on the awards website, accompanied by explanations of what distinguished them.
What's next: Nominations remain open at thebostonweekly.com/awards/nominate. With no closing date announced, the next stated steps are newsroom review, finalist checks and publication of the selections.
