Celtics Radio Tonight: How to Listen Live to the Boston Celtics

To listen to the Boston Celtics radio broadcast tonight, tune your dial to 98.5 The Sports Hub (WBZ-FM), the flagship station for the Celtics Radio Network. For fans outside the Boston area, games are available via the NBA App with a League Pass Audio subscription or on SiriusXM NBA Radio.

The Flagship Station: 98.5 The Sports Hub (WBZ-FM)

For decades, the heartbeat of Boston sports has resided on the FM dial, and in 2026, 98.5 The Sports Hub remains the primary destination for every Celtics game. As the flagship station, The Sports Hub provides comprehensive coverage that begins well before tip-off and extends long after the final buzzer.

Pre-Game and Post-Game Programming

Listening to "Celtics radio tonight" isn't just about the four quarters of play. The Sports Hub typically begins its "Celtics Pregame Show" 30 to 60 minutes before the scheduled start time. These segments offer deep tactical analysis, injury updates, and interviews with head coach Joe Mazzulla and various players.

The "Celtics Postgame Show" is equally vital for fans. It features "The Moral Majority" or "The Final Word," where hosts break down the key plays, analyze the box score, and take calls from the "Green Team" faithful. In 2026, these shows have become interactive hubs, integrating social media commentary and real-time advanced analytics to give listeners a sophisticated understanding of the game.

Signal Strength and Coverage Area

WBZ-FM broadcasts at 50,000 watts, covering most of Eastern and Central Massachusetts, Southern New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. However, FM signals are "line-of-sight," meaning physical obstructions like hills or large buildings in the Seaport District can occasionally cause interference. If you are driving on the outskirts of the primary signal range, you may notice "multipath interference," which sounds like a rapid fluttering of the audio.

The Celtics Radio Network: Regional Affiliates

If you are located outside the immediate Boston metropolitan area, the Celtics Radio Network utilizes a vast web of affiliate stations to ensure fans across New England can follow the action. This network is essential for fans in the Berkshires, the Maine coastline, and the Vermont mountains where the flagship FM signal cannot reach.

How Affiliates Handle Night Games

A common issue for radio listeners is the "sunset power reduction" experienced by AM affiliates. While the flagship is an FM station, many regional partners use the AM band. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations often require AM stations to reduce power or change their signal directional pattern at night to avoid interfering with distant stations.

If you are listening to an affiliate station tonight, be aware that the signal quality might shift as the sun goes down. If the signal fades, switching to a digital stream or a different affiliate on the FM band is the recommended fix.

Primary Regional Partners

The network typically includes stations such as:

• Maine: WZNB 99.1 FM (Biddeford/Portland) or WBAE 1490 AM.
• New Hampshire: WTSN 1270 AM (Dover) or WGIR 610 AM (Manchester).
• Vermont: WSTJ 1340 AM (St. Johnsbury).
• Rhode Island: WPRO 630 AM (Providence).
• Western Massachusetts: WHMP 1400 AM (Northampton).

Digital Streaming Options for 2026

In the 2025-26 NBA season, digital streaming has become the most popular way to access the Celtics radio broadcast. However, "streaming" isn't a single option; it is divided by geographic rights and subscription tiers.

The 98.5 The Sports Hub App and Website

For fans physically located within the Greater Boston area (typically a 75-mile radius), the easiest way to listen is via the official 98.5 The Sports Hub app or their website.

Important Note on Geofencing: Due to NBA broadcasting rights, the digital stream of the actual game is often "geofenced." This means if your phone's GPS or your computer's IP address indicates you are in New York or Los Angeles, the stream will cut to national talk programming or music once the game starts. To bypass this, you must use one of the official NBA-sanctioned out-of-market tools.

NBA League Pass Audio

For the 2026 season, the NBA League Pass Audio tier remains a cost-effective solution for displaced Celtics fans. Unlike the full video League Pass, the audio-only subscription is significantly cheaper (usually around $9.99 for the entire season).

This service provides:

1. Home and Away Feeds: You can choose the Celtics' local broadcast or the opponent's radio call.
2. No Blackouts: Unlike video broadcasts, the audio feed typically does not suffer from local television blackout restrictions.
3. Archived Games: If you missed the start of the game tonight, you can jump back to the beginning of the broadcast.

SiriusXM NBA Radio

If you have a satellite radio subscription, SiriusXM carries every NBA game. The Celtics broadcast will be assigned a specific channel (often between 212 and 217) based on the nightly schedule. SiriusXM is particularly useful for fans driving through "dead zones" where cellular data is unreliable and terrestrial radio signals are weak.

Listening via Smart Speakers and Voice Assistants

Smart home technology has simplified the process of finding the game, provided you use the correct voice commands. In 2026, integration between radio broadcasters and AI assistants is more seamless than ever.

• Amazon Alexa: To hear the game, try saying, "Alexa, play 98.5 The Sports Hub." If the game is geofenced, you may need to enable the TuneIn or iHeartRadio skill. If you have the NBA app linked, you can say, "Alexa, ask the NBA to play the Celtics game."
• Google Home: Use the command, "Hey Google, play Boston Celtics radio on YouTube Music" or "Play 98.5 The Sports Hub."
• Apple HomePod: Siri can pull the broadcast through Apple Music or TuneIn integration. Simply say, "Siri, play the Celtics game on 98.5."

The Advantage of Radio Over Television

Many fans prefer the radio broadcast even when they are sitting in front of a TV. There are several technical and aesthetic reasons for this choice.

The Art of Radio Play-by-Play

Radio broadcasters must paint a mental picture that television does not require. The Celtics' radio team is renowned for its high-energy delivery and detailed descriptions of court positioning. They provide the "why" behind the play, often identifying defensive rotations and off-ball screens that the TV camera might miss in a tight zoom.

Minimal Latency (The "Twitter" Factor)

In 2026, the "spoiler" problem is real. Digital TV streams (like YouTube TV or Hulu Live) can be delayed by 30 to 60 seconds. If you are following the game on social media, you might see a "Celtics Win!" tweet before you see the final shot.

Terrestrial FM radio is the closest thing to "real-time" audio. It has virtually zero latency. If you want to be the first to know what happens, the radio is your best tool. Many fans mute their television and use a radio for audio, though you may need a "radio delay" device or app to sync the faster radio audio with the slower TV picture.

Spanish Language Broadcasts: WCCM and Beyond

The Celtics have a massive international and multilingual following. For tonight's game, Spanish-speaking fans can often find the broadcast on WCCM 1490 AM or through the Celtics' official Spanish-language streaming partners. These broadcasts offer a unique, high-intensity flavor to the game, featuring the legendary "¡Goooool!"-style enthusiasm adapted for the hardwood.

Troubleshooting Common Listening Issues

Nothing is more frustrating than a silent radio or a buffering stream during a close fourth quarter. Here is how to solve common problems:

1. "I'm hearing talk shows instead of the game": This is almost always a geofencing issue. If you are on a mobile app, ensure your location services are turned on. If you are out of the region, you must use the NBA App or SiriusXM.
2. Static and Interference: If you are using a physical radio, try extending the antenna fully or moving the radio near a window. Electronic devices like microwaves or LED lights can cause interference; try moving the radio away from other electronics.
3. Stream Buffering: If the 98.5 app is stuttering, try switching from Wi-Fi to cellular data (5G/6G in 2026 is often more stable than crowded home Wi-Fi). Alternatively, lower the audio quality settings in the app to reduce data strain.
4. Syncing Audio with TV: If the radio is ahead of the TV, use a smartphone app like Delay Pro to pause the radio audio for a few seconds until it aligns with the television movement.

Professional Advice for Game Night

When preparing to listen to the Celtics tonight, always have a secondary option ready. If the FM signal is weak, have the app downloaded. If you are traveling, ensure your SiriusXM subscription is active. For the best experience, use high-quality, open-back headphones if you are at home; they provide a wider "soundstage," making it feel like you are sitting courtside at the TD Garden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does the Celtics radio broadcast start tonight? The broadcast typically begins 30 minutes before tip-off with the pre-game show. If the game starts at 7:30 PM ET, the radio coverage will begin at 7:00 PM ET on 98.5 The Sports Hub.

Can I listen to the Celtics radio for free? Yes, if you are within the New England area, you can listen for free via a standard FM/AM radio or through the 98.5 The Sports Hub website and app. If you are outside New England, you will likely need a paid subscription to NBA League Pass Audio or SiriusXM.

Who are the Celtics radio announcers in 2026? While broadcast teams can shift, the Celtics have a tradition of long-tenured announcers. Check the official 98.5 The Sports Hub website for the current nightly roster, which typically features veteran play-by-play experts and former NBA players providing color commentary.

Is there a way to listen to the game on my iPhone or Android? Absolutely. Use the 98.5 The Sports Hub app (local) or the NBA App (global). Both are available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Ensure your device is updated to the latest OS version for the best streaming stability.

Why is the game blacked out on iHeartRadio? iHeartRadio and other third-party aggregators often do not have the specific digital rights to stream live NBA play-by-play. They are forced to play the station's "alternate" feed (usually national sports talk) during game hours. Always use the station's proprietary app or the NBA's official platforms to avoid this.

Can I listen to Celtics radio on my computer at work? Yes, you can stream directly from the 98.5 The Sports Hub website. If your office network has a firewall or VPN that makes you appear to be in a different city, you may be blocked by geofencing. Turning off your VPN usually resolves this.

Final Recommendation

For the most reliable and highest-quality experience for Celtics radio tonight, use a physical FM radio tuned to 98.5 if you are in Boston. If you are mobile or out-of-market, the NBA App with League Pass Audio is the gold standard for 2026, providing a stable, high-definition stream that is immune to local signal interference.