Cheer on college hockey players at the Beanpot tournament

The 71st annual Men’s Beanpot and the 45th annual Women’s Beanpot return this winter.

Boston College and Boston University playing in the Beanpot tournament at TD Garden in 2020. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff

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The annual hockey tournament between Boston’s four major college hockey teams returns to the Garden on the first two Monday nights in February. For this year’s Men’s Beanpot, the Harvard Crimson plays the Northeastern Huskies on Feb. 5 at 5 p.m. and the Boston University Terriers play the Boston College Eagles at 8 p.m. Then, on Monday, Feb. 12, the Garden holds the consolation game at 4:30 p.m. and the championship at 7:30 p.m.

Boston’s “social event of the winter season” was first held in 1952 at the Boston Arena (now Northeastern’s Matthews Arena), and has been held each winter since at the Garden. Today, it’s a Boston sports tradition, the four teams battling it out for the Beanpot trophy and bragging rights.

The Women’s Beanpot, first held in 1979, has traditionally taken place at one of the competing schools in a rotating fashion. But this year, the consolation and championship games happen at the Garden on Jan. 23 at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., respectively. The semi-finals take place at Harvard’s Bright-Landry Hockey Center on Jan. 16.

Last year’s champions were the Northeastern Huskies in both the men’s and women’s games, while the BU Terriers have won the most men’s championships (33 in total), and the Huskies have taken home the most women’s championships (17 in total).

Dunkin’ Donuts sponsors both the men’s and women’s Beanpots this year, and NESN will broadcast the games. Tickets for all Beanpot games at the Garden are currently on sale at Ticketmaster.