Centre Bell

Arena · Downtown Montreal

Centre Bell

Arena · Downtown Montreal

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1909 Av. des Canadiens-de-Montréal, Montréal, QC H3B 2S2, Canada

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Highlights

Home of Montreal Canadiens, hosts concerts, Cirque du Soleil  

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1909 Av. des Canadiens-de-Montréal, Montréal, QC H3B 2S2, Canada Get directions

centrebell.ca
@centrebell

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1909 Av. des Canadiens-de-Montréal, Montréal, QC H3B 2S2, Canada Get directions

+1 514 932 2582
centrebell.ca
@centrebell
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@centrebell

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Aug 20, 2025

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23 Best Things to Do in Montreal

"Zealots come far and wide from across Canada and the world to pay their respects at the Bell Centre, one of the largest and most-visited ice hockey arenas in the world. It's one of the sport's and Montreal's most iconic venues. First and foremost, it's the home of the Montreal Canadiens (call them the Habs if you want to sound like a local). But the Bell Centre is also known in Canada as one of the country's most popular ice hockey arenas also used for non-sporting events, too. This writer saw Madonna's "Sticky and Sweet Tour" there in 2008, and has never been the same since. The arena fits around twenty-one thousand spectators for hockey games, but still feels surprisingly intimate. During a game, you can hear players grunting and see the sweat on their brows." - Todd Plummer

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View Postcard for Centre Bell

Giorgio Russo

Google
Facilities and staff is amazing. The place was clean though some foul smell in the upper seats. Bathrooms clean and well stocked. Good access and felt very secure. But the sound of the Simple Minds concert was terrible. Show was amazing, but still, the sound wasn't up to it.

Benjamin S

Google
This has to be the absolute best atmosphere for a game of hockey! Especially when it's Saturday night and the Habs are in contention for a playoff spot! As my entire trip was booked around seeing a game at the Bell Centre, the excitement created from the atmosphere itself was worth every dollar spent. There were big lines to get in when the doors opened, but everything flowed very smoothly. Signage was laid out nicely and the crowds weren't as dense as you'd think for the amount of people in attendance. The courtyard also has some great statues and tributes of the all-time legends. It's hard to leave a review for a venue as great as this without sounding biased and subjective, but from start to finish, this was a great time. For anyone thinking about going to check out a Habs game, do it! You're in the mecca of it all, and you can really feel it.

Petra

Google
Centre Bell is a phenomenal venue! From the moment you arrive, with outstanding signage for that perfect Instagram moment, to the facilities inside and all the partners promos, branding, signage, food options and shopping for fan gear. I attended for the 4 Nations Face Off CAN vs USA so slightly different event than a regular NHL game. Only disappointment was the availability of Canada wear, fan merchandise - completely sold out on the biggest match since 2016! Nothing left as a Canadian fan to purchase. Very scarce selection. The venue and its merchants need to anticipate demand better. I was not the only one disappointed on this front. We watched the game in the VIP Air Canada lounge. Great seats and area, loved the open bar ( served all drinks even top shelf liquor) however, the food /buffets served were not great. Cold buffet much better than hot. My feedback, keep the food simple, with items that retain flavour and consistency when on hot table. All in all, best game and experience being there for this epic match even if the result wasn’t what we (Canadians) had hoped for!

Serge Klimov

Google
The Montreal Bell Centre is a top-notch venue, especially when experiencing it from one of the loges (luxury suites). The atmosphere within the arena is electric, particularly during Montreal Canadiens games, with passionate fans creating a memorable and often deafening environment. The loges offer a premium experience, providing a private and comfortable setting to enjoy events. Loge Experience: The loges at the Bell Centre typically include amenities such as: * Private viewing area: Excellent sightlines of the event from comfortable seating. Some suites even have two rows of private seats extending out in front of the box. * Dedicated service: Often includes a private entrance, dedicated amenities, and coat check to bypass general crowds. * Food and beverage options: Many loge rentals include an open bar with soft drinks, beer, wine, and sometimes liquor. In-suite catering with a variety of food options is usually available for an additional cost. * Private lounge: A comfortable space to socialize before, during intermissions, and after the event. * Private restrooms: Offering convenience within the suite. * VIP parking: Often included with loge rentals, providing easy access to the venue. Renting a loge provides a more exclusive and comfortable way to enjoy a game or concert, ideal for corporate events, entertaining clients, or a special night out with a group of friends. The cost of loges varies significantly depending on the event, opponent (for hockey games), and the loge's location within the arena.

Tina Catherine

Google
Bell Centre, formerly known as Molson Centre, is a multi-purpose arena located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Opened on March 16, 1996, it is the home arena of the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League, replacing the Montreal Forum and it is the largest indoor arena in Canada. I attended the Heart with Cheaptrick concert April 2nd. The show was ok. Ann Wilson had to be seated in wheelchair but her voice did not disappoint. The song selection was not great as she missed a few of her great hits. For concerts, I find that the acoustics are really not good when you are in the stands as there seems to be an echo that does not do the artists any justice. The atmosphere here is just incredible. The seating is horrible, too close together. Hard to move without bumping the neighbor on either side of you. The food here is very overpriced so I suggest you eat prior to attending. Even bottled water is expensive. Parking on the street can be difficult to find or you can pay to park for $25. Location is not ideal, too many other buildings and such around. Should be more like Scotiabank Place in Ottawa.

Timo Honkanen

Google
Centre Bell is the ultimate temple of hockey. Montreal is a true hockey city, and you can feel it in every game. The arena is well-designed, with a smooth and efficient entrance process—even for sold-out games. Lines for drinks, food, and restrooms are minimal, thanks to wide aisles and plenty of concessions. The only exception was the fan shop, which was packed, with a fairly long line outside. Sightlines are excellent from all around the arena, and the atmosphere is the best I’ve ever experienced at a hockey game. Outstanding job—thank you, Montreal and Canada!

Kevin McCann

Google
This Arena has great sight lines. The only downside to it is the lower concourse. They’re very narrow compared to other arenas in the same age range. Narrow to the point where if you’re not watching where you’re going while walking , you can hit your head on part of the upper bowls support structure. This is on the lower concourse. The upper concourse does not have this problem. But overall, the arena is great . They did a great job with putting the press box over the playing surface. This allows for more space and seating in the upper bowl And even in the top row of the upper bowl, you have a good view.

Wayne

Google
Bought tickets to the UFC a few months ago and had an amazing time. I took my son who has never been on a plane or out of the province before this. I gave him the window seat and he had one of the greatest times of his life. I was glad to be a part of that first-time experience with him.
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Charles S.

Yelp
It was hockey night in Canada, and we had a great time at the Centre Bell! A friend gave us seats almost on the ice! Great seats with a great view of the game. Centre Bell is right in the center of downtown Montréal. Easy to get to. The line to get in moved through the security check efficiently. The people running the arena kept everything hopping before the game, during the breaks in the play, and during the breaks between the periods. There was everything from dance cam to the kid trying to shoot a puck through an impossibly small hole for a prize to a DJ with jumping music. The food at the concession stands is cheaper than in the U.S. The "washroom " was clean. And here's the lagniappe: they gave away free ice cream bars on the way out. So we walked back to our hotel in a snowstorm eating ice cream. 22*F/-4*C. BTW The Caps beat the Gabs 4-2.
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Denny T.

Yelp
Arena #9 that I have visited. Although it is not the old Montreal Forum, there is still just something so special about playing the Canadiens in Montreal. Just seeing all of the retired numbers and banners hanging in the rafters just leaves you in awe. My buddy got us seats in the 200 level, and the tickets included free food like popcorn, poutine, hot dogs, chicken tenders, pizza, nachos, ice cream, etc. only thing that costs money is alcohol. Awesome view of the action on the ice and all of that free food makes this one of the better seat options, in my opinion. We also ate at Mythik before the game, and it was pretty good. There are a few other restaurant options you can also eat at, but I think you need to make reservations for all of them. Although most everything is in French, it is still easy to find your way around the arena. Staff are all friendly and fans are also friendly and very knowledgeable about the game. Traffic going to and leaving the game can be a mess, so give yourself some time.
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Kenneth K.

Yelp
Amazing venue! This is Montreal, the title town for Hockey, and the fans are all great and enthusiastic. Unfortunately the Canadiens lost to the Flames last minute and a coach call changing a goal did not help but still had a great time. My wife and I got seats in Club Desjardins which had unlimited food and non alcoholic beverage which was great and we loved the smoked meat stand outside our seats. Overall, we would rate this our second favorite NHL venue with only Madison Square Garden to beat it.
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Rebecca L.

Yelp
Amazing fans here for the hockey game! Even though canadiens are the worst lol. We got the club desjardins tickets and it was soooo worth it. Everything was unlimited. Even the KFC. Water alone is like $50 bucks at sports arenas. The seats were nice! I would def come back. I came for cigarettes after sex in August and everything was super nice.
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Eastro Z.

Yelp
Attended a Drake concert recently. We had great seats right near the pit. This was a stone's throw from our hotel so it was a comfortable walk. There was a ton of security inside and outside and they made sure that unruly folks were removed with minimal drama. The show was great with good lighting, props, and music. The show was supposed to feature 21 Savage but he was not able to attend so J. Cole performed instead.
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Gregory C.

Yelp
Opened in 1996, this arena holds 21,271 for hockey. Plenty of beer vendors and stands on the 100 level. However, if you are tall, like me, you have to be careful as some support beams are rather low on the 100 level, and they are not cordoned off like other arenas, so you may hit your head.

Julien M.

Yelp
We went to see a Hans Zimmer concert this week and the Bell Centre is probably the worst concert venue I have ever been to. So, we were seated at the ground floor to be in front of the show directly (11th row.) We had paid a premium to have good seats. Issue was, the Bell Centre venue was abhorrent. Pros : Getting in was easy enough, and staff were helpful in helping us find our seats. Cons : The chairs were very uncomfortable. To clarify, the Bell Centre is a hockey stadium and the premium tickets were placed in front of the orchestra directly, so the Bell Centre puts chairs there to acccommodate the seating. They must have used the cheapest folding chair you can find. Imagine paying over 1000$ to be seated on a folding chair that reminisces of a school play gymnasium. But that, I can live with. They placed us so close to each other that my elbows were almost touching my neighbours' belly button. Unless you're 110 pounds female, you're going to be cuddling your neighbours and as someone who likes their personal space, this was extremely uncomfortable. I had to control my breathing to not expand my chest that would then push my elbow into someone's stomach. I was mortified! To be clear, I am not an obese man. I am a regularly sized man in his late twenties. I can only imagine if I were plus sized in this event. The light show was absolutely amazing,. when I could see it. I thought it was very nice to look at, but their lights were regularly blind me, completely preventing me from seeing the light show itself. I regretted not getting a ticket that was farther away and probably 80% cheaper, and just wearing glasses, not to mention that the seat would have been adequately cushioned and spaced between customers. All in all, the orchestra, the singing, the music was very good. Hans Zimmer is an inspiration and such an icon for his work. I would just suggest they choose a better venue, or request that they make these changes if they ever come back to Montreal, because this bad experience with the Bell Centre really tarnished the experience of their show.

Kayla D.

Yelp
the desjardins section is fucking horrid. you pay enough for the ticket the least you could do is get clean fucking water. i had to get 4 different things of water and they were warm or had shit in them. also the no caps thing is fucking stupid. if you are sitting by the net you should be able to have one. also having old ladies sit on you while trying to get by sucks ass. 0/10 would NOT recommend
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David R.

Yelp
Home of the Montreal Canadiens, the best team in the NHL (you can't argue when we got 24 Stanley cups...). Giant amphitheater with lots of great seats! Even if you're sitting at the cheapest seat you can have a great time! Food is really expensive tho...
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Niko M.

Yelp
*This review is intended for their retail store, Tricolore Sports* I bought a pair of pro stock hockey gloves on their website several months ago. Their staff was very polite on the phone; they even called me to follow up on the shipping status of my order. The gloves are as advertised and in good condition. Merci, Tricolore Sports! Bien fait!
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Marc M.

Yelp
Big building downtown Montreal. Long lineups to enter because of security. With people using their phones instead of tickets, there are delays trying to load up the document. Inside you got a long way around to find toilets if you go the wrong way. Section 300 and 400 have lousy views of the ice. You have to lean forward to see passed the front row.

J Z.

Yelp
This is a shame I have to write this. As a Bruins fan, I love being part of the original six fandom. But, the fan experience is less than optimal at the Centre Bell. They advertised a souvenir puck (commemorating tonight's game) for sale for $50CAD, but only goes on sale the end of the first period. We were told to get in line 10 minutes (gameplay) BEFORE the end of the first. I was 6th in line. They tell us they get between 3 and 12 picks, no guarantees. Ok, I agreed, but this is a horrible way to conduct business. We wait through the rest of the period and most of intermission when two women tell the Canadiens fans in front of us that there are NONE! If they had said no pucks for Bruins fans, ok. I get that. But they were completely rude to their own fans! How dare you! Seriously. They pay all the money to see 41 home games a year and you don't respect them at all! Angelina was even ruder to us (including Canadiens fans) as we tried to get answers as to why nothing suddenly was available. She shoved her badge in front of my face to take a photo and got upset that I did. She needs a new job. Canadiens fans, you deserve better than this! On the food and drink side. Prices are somewhat reasonable, but soda was warm with little carbonation. They called a manager come down to help get a drink. Overall bad customer experience. As an original six team, they should know better.
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Benjamin P.

Yelp
The best venue to watch a hockey game. I didn't see many nearby parking lots or garages. I wouldn't dare drive to a game. I did notice the subway has a station nearby. Lots of bars and restraunts within walking distance. Security was fast and efficent. I wore enemy colors and everyone was very pleasant waiting and within the confines of the arena. Statues of Habs legends greet you in line. My only very minor complaint were the hallways of the arena. They seemed cramped and there wasn't a whole heck of a lot to look at. Or maybe I didn't notice due to the sell out crowd. It kind of seemed like it was built to ensure it fit on a tight city block, which i'm sure it was. The focus is clearly on the game. I sat in the 200 level which is Club Desjardins. After being trapped in a car on a long road trip and drinking heavily before the game, I had serious munchies. In Club Desjardins, all the food and non-alcholic refreshments are FREE. Pizza, nachos, hot dogs, water, pop, juice. I went to town. Beer was kind of expensive. $12 for a smaller Molson. My view was unreal. Its almost like the seats go straight up from the ice. I was far away from the glass and yet I felt like I was sitting in the 10th row. It's hard to believe there's over 21,000 people sitting around you. Crowd was electric and we ended up seeing a great game. I hope to visit again.
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Stephanie O.

Yelp
I don't typically give event centers 5 stars. It's my opinion that there's a certain level of service for the amount of money you're paying. I only either reach expectations or I'm woefully disappointed. All that being said, the Canadians/Canadiens have given me a reason to believe in the 5 star arena experience. My dad and I went for a Canadiens/Bruins game, and I have to say I had high hopes. Being an American hockey fan, you never get to live and enjoy a real hockey rivalry. I would argue that there isn't one as strong as Montreal-Boston. I was really hoping to see something I'd never seen before, and I was blown away. The security and detail to the Bell Centre is much more efficient than American arenas. It was a sellout crowd but I walked in and out of the building quickly and safely. The concessions were on-par price wise to any other event I've been to, but they offer Montreal's smoked meat sandwiches to enjoy. You can bet I hunkered down with one of those and a Labatt's to enjoy the game. Here's where the incredible part came in. Canadians are so into their hockey, and I don't think it shows anywhere better than Montreal. This is coming from a gal who went to a game in Toronto and Ottawa on the same trip. The entire crowd fervently sang their national anthem in English and French! It was one of the most incredible things I'd ever witnessed. The irony that an entire arena can sing their national anthem in multiple languages and the buffoon in the US office can't even sing our anthem in one always gets me. The crowd was into it the entire game. I've been to many, many sporting events - and the closest energy I've seen a crowd have in a game were the Steelers fans at Heinz field. Even with the Terrible Towels, they don't hold a candle to how unapologetically rowdy Canadiens fans are. Keep in mind they weren't even good this year! I can't imagine how exciting it must be to go during a year they're in the playoff hunt. I don't think I'll ever experience a game quite like the Montreal-Boston game I went to. It went to overtime and sadly the Bruins won. Part of me doesn't want to take the time to re-visit places I've been because I know there's so much more out there in the world to see. However, when I go somewhere and attend a place like this, I can't help but want to do it again.
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Justine S.

Yelp
In all the time I've been living in Montreal, I'd never been to Centre Bell. I don't go to concerts or sports games often so never had an opportunity to go. Adam got some tickets to the Canadians vs Chicago Red Wings game on March 26, 2018. The game started at 7:30 and we got there around 7 as Adam knew the security at the entrance might take a while. This game wasn't that important so there wasn't that many people waiting to get in. First thing I noticed is how big it is, it looks really good. The lights and the atmosphere are great! Second thing I noticed was how expensive the food is. I got some popcorn to start off and it was like $7!! I knew the food was going to be expensive but this place puts even movie theatre popcorn prices to shame. Adam got a beer and it was $12!! At least you can pay by card and it's not cash only. I loved seeing my first hockey game here, it felt so lively and enthralling. I got lucky that the game we saw had so much action and we won!! I would definitely see another game here or a concert.
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Shahanaz B.

Yelp
A huge venue! Full house! All for Leonard Cohen! I went to his tribute concert: tower of song. I am not even complain about the venue, but the concert was so good that all other negativity did not bother me. My heart skipped when Sting opened the show. He performed Dance me to the End. He took Cohen's song, and sang so beautifully with his raspy and sexy voice in his own style. I enormously enjoyed, And if I could have dance KD, I would have to Sharon Robinson's rendition to I'm Your Man. Elvis Costello was rocking. KD Lang performed Hallelujah; it was soulful and haunting at the same time. Courtney Love was a surprise; haven't seen her for a while. Still has an awesome voice. Other amazing performances by Leonard's own son Adam Cohen, then Lana Del Ray, Patrick Watson, Ron Sexsmith... and many more. Justin and Sophie Trudeau gave a touching speech! Seth Rogen did a little bits of comedy and then he recited a poetry from Leonard's collection. Lovely! Overall, great show. Thanks Montreal, Bell Center and everyone who put together and brought together all this stars for Leonard Cohen! Bravo!
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Jéssica C.

Yelp
One of the biggest and most popular place for shows and games, the Bell Centre is definitely the go-to place for most events! I went there for a hockey game and a few concerts, and I absolutely love the atmosphere. The acoustics is not bad for music shows, and even though we sat at the very ens you could still listen to the show very well. The bathrooms are also pretty big and there's a significant number of stalls and that is very reassuring. No one likes to miss their favourite song or a goal because they were on a bathroom line! Overall the place is really good, lots of food courts and drink options, the only thing I didn't like was that the exit to the metro is really narrow so you'll take a while to finally leave the place, and also that if you get the cheaper places you won't be able to see anything (sound is good though).

Marc B.

Yelp
Took the tour today. Was an awesome experience. Kevin, our tour guide, is incredibly knowledgeable and delivered a fantastic tour and shared amazing info/stories about the facility and the team & alumni.
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Michael L.

Yelp
Came here for the habs game and was sitting in the Desjardins section (unlimited food, yay!) Great atmosphere and excitement in the building. I was pretty shocked at how good the food and how nice the staff were. Since I was able to get anything I wanted, I was craving literally everything (haha). I started with a slice of pizza and a coke. The pizza was nice and hot, tasted really fresh and was surprisingly better than the pizza pizza stand alone locations outside of the bell centre. The coke was also really good (fountain drinks are the best!). One cool note to add, the straws were made of recyclable cardboard. Really nice to see that they are doing their part to help the environment, seeing as they host a large number of people every year! I then got a smoke meat sandwich, five alive and popcorn. The smoke meat was good. However, one note, they should toast the rye bread so that it doesn't get too soggy. Luckily for us (me and my friend), the smoke meat was hot and fresh. The five alive was great (obviously haha). However, they take away the cap (for some reason, people used to throw them on the ice). The popcorn was amazing, bagged popcorn. Tasted exactly like movie popcorn (perfect for the game)! I also got a couple hot dogs, nachos and ice cream. The hot dogs were great, the buns were toasted perfectly (great crunch). The nachos were tasty, not too salty and the salsa was really good. The ice cream was delicious and a perfect way to end the night. A new addition to the food options was a pasta bar. My friend tried it and said it was alright. Pretty nice to see that they had that option. Overall, I would recommend sitting in the Desjardins section. However, personally, I would only sit there at most once a month. This is because there are too many food options that it's too hard to only pick and stick to 1! (Sorry for the minimal amount of photos. I was way too excited about the food haha)
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Paul M.

Yelp
I guess I'm a bit of a homer but apart from the cramped corridors and that the Bell Center is not as imposing as it is hidden amongst office buildings and condos, it is still one of the most attended arenas for activities and events next to New Yorks Madison Square Garden and Toronto's ACC. It is listed under Forbes as one of the top five highest revenue generating venues in North America. However, this place is more known as the house of its major Tennant. There is a certain mystique due to the most celebrated and winningest hockey franchise, the Montreal Canadiens. We watched one of the last games for the 2017-18 NHL games and it is a bummer that two simple hot dogs and two beers cost a little over $30 and on top of that the Habs aren't making the playoffs(very bad team). PARKING $25!!! Tip eat elsewhere in town before coming in. 4 Tix in the reds, parking, snacks cost over $700 easy :( The light show in the beginning of the games feels and sounds great but it seems that the games are more theatrical than anything else. More noticeable when the local team ain't that good. The seats are narrower and the arena has better sight lines since the grandstands are steeper. They now have less rock music so you can have a conversation. There is less organ music typically heard during the glory days at the old Montreal Forum. There are more specialized restaurants and you do have the former Montreal Expos mascot, Youppi...but not much else. All the wrong things are amplified more when the team is bad. But damn it I'm a Habs fan...$$$-$$$$
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Dan N Jen S.

Yelp
The Bell Centre staff are amazing. We can not speak more highly of them. The staff went out of their way to accommodate and make our visit spectacular.
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Shiran B.

Yelp
We came for a show and ofcourse to go with the theme of the evening we wanted to eat! I had no idea they have this mini food court downstairs! It's so cool! They had tacos , burgers and some other vendors that were unfortunately closed. We wanted to stick to the classics of getting the typical good ol'fashioned snacks! We ended up at the cage for some delicious wings & beer from the bar! They also have this vintage kiosk where they sell popcorn & pretzels.. and the best thing about that place is the cheesecake!!! Literally so delicious! I was shocked. It would be the last place I would even think to have something like that but I'm glad I did! Overall its the bell center. You know what you're getting every single time! Amazing shows, amazing security & great drinks!
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Jana T.

Yelp
I've been to a lot of shows at the Bell Centre, not my favourite venue but not the worst... sight lines aren't bad and acoustics are ok for a hockey arena. I guess my main dislike is that it's kind of a soulless corporate space. Unfortunately there really aren't any other alternatives in Montreal for big shows. Beer and food prices are ridiculous and quality is dubious, eat/drink before you come... I've found most of the staff to be pretty decent with the exception of one security guard who hassled me for not leaving fast enough when I was seven months pregnant... One big positive about the Bell Centre is that it's very accessible by public transit.
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Bill T.

Yelp
This is a very cool place. I was last here to see game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals between the Habs and the Bruins in 2011. Montreal had taken the first two games in Beantown and the series moved to the Bell for game 3. It was my first playoff hockey game on Canadian soil, and to say that that I was excited is an understatement. I had purchased seats in an area where food was included in your ticket price. I figured I'd gorge myself while watching an awesome game. The atmosphere was really electric. When they dimmed the lights and started the introductions, the roar of the crowd was so loud that the entire place was vibrating! It really was an exciting place to watch a hockey game. Until the Bruins scored 3 minutes into the first period. That really took the wind out of the sails of the fans. Then they scored again later in the first period. The Bruins were up by 3 until the Habs finally scored in the 2nd period ,but by that time, the crowd was demoralized. it didn't really get loud again and I found that disappointing. However, the arena is still pretty cool. I found it easy to get around and I could walk underground from my hotel to it so I didn't have to wear a big heavy coat and lug it around at the game. Oh, I also got to see Youppi! who I remembered fondly from Expo games. Love that guy! The Canadiens Hall of Fame is at the Bell Centre too. There's a separate admission required for that, but I really enjoyed visiting there as well. Very nice arena, but as a Leafs fan, I have to say it's no ACC.
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Mike H.

Yelp
I came here to watch many Habs games over the years and this arena is in a great location in Montreal. It's easy to get to by subway, car or walking, but I don't suggest driving as parking and traffic are a bit of a pain. The arena is pretty new and the facilities are clean and modern. Almost every seat in the arena is a good one and it's got one of the bigger capacities compared to others in Canada. The rest rooms are clean and there are plenty of them scattered around. Staff are pretty nice and it's easy to get around the arena without feeling crammed or claustrophobic. My only real issue with the rink is the crappy food and expensive beer prices. Considering how cheap beer is in Montreal, I figured it would be a bit of a better price. I have to note the hot dogs were horrible, for $5 the roll a slice of bread on a .10 wiener. Not even joking the worst hot dog I've ever had!
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Marzena F.

Yelp
Id give this place a 3.5 Getting inside is pretty quick..i believe they have more than one entrance. It gets pretty crammed in there on the upper levels with long lineups for washrooms and drinks. 50/50 for nhl games..needs to be claimed within 15 minutes! The sound is great in the arena and the videos during game intermissions are hilarious. The bell centre waw connected to the condo i rented for 12 days so i can say much about the location. However it is prettt loud for a while on the streets afterwards! The seats in the upper levels dont have arm rests and some have poles infront of them which takes your view away from the ice (crammed neck) After the game the streers are blocked off.
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Beau S.

Yelp
This needs to be the benchmark for "old" arenas constantly evolving and adapting to modern arenas. Especially for a Canadian arena which compared to Vancouver feels brand new. Great pregame audio visual experience , all you can eat on 200 level, brand new beer garden area and a very clean place.
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Jim P.

Yelp
I've been to the Bell Centre a few times but this visit was for Lady Gaga's concert on November 3, 2017. Her concert was scheduled for September 4, 2017 but she cancelled it last minute so the tickets that I had were honoured for her returned trip on November 3. Her concert was great but this review is more of my thoughts on the Bell Centre. I had gone to a previous concert, a few Habs hockey games, and some sports events at the Bell Centre in the past so when I returned to the Bell Centre for Lady Gaga's concert, things changed somewhat. The line-up to get into the Bell Centre was long and there were multiple lines so I wasn't sure which line to stand behind but managed to find the correct line. One of the lines I assume were for the concert floor which luckily I didn't line behind that line. Security was tighter than I remember it from ~2 years ago (my last concert). This is probably due to a sign of the times. Backpacks were not allowed and people had to go thru a metal detector as well as pass by one of the metal wands which you see at the airport. The backpack restriction was noted on the ticket so it wasn't a complete surprise. I was coming from work and I normally have a backpack with me so I left my backpack at work and instead brought a small plastic bag that I could carry my cellphone and tablet with me. After finally making it through security, I was a bit lost but one of the agents greeted me close to the entrance after the security gate and asked me where I was going. I told him that I wasn't sure and I showed him my ticket. He told me which direction I should go and mentioned that I shouldn't worry that the numbers were increasing (and my number was lower) since the door for my ticket entrance would eventually appear. Cellphone reception was decent inside the Bell Centre which was enough for me to chat with friends and tell them where I was as well as upload a few pictures onto my Facebook. I don't believe that there was any WiFi. I found that there was plenty of leg room (wasn't cramped in front) but the width of the chairs were somewhat restrictive. I placed my plastic bag with my stuff underneath my chair since even though there was an empty seat on one side of me, it seemed like a dangerous place to put my stuff since most of the time, my eyes would not be on the seat and someone behind the seat could easily grab my bag or something from my bag. Someone behind me either accidentally or purposely poured their beer in front of them which went on the floor underneath my seat as well as the floor in front of my seat. I noticed this part way into the concert as my shoes appeared to be wet. I think that the Bell Centre is a good place for events since it is centrally located (short walk from various metro stations). Not having usable free WiFi was a bit of a bummer even though I have data on my cellphone. Prices are high for concessions but that is to be expected.
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Jenn A.

Yelp
Go Habs Go! I'm a true Habs fan who happens to be born and sourced from Rangers-land. (I admit that I grew up over the bridge in NJ, so Devs are my close second). That said, Rangers are my enemy! During the playoffs a few years ago I wore my Habs tee to a Rangers bar and it was a bit scary. So I'm always happy when I go to Montreal to watch a game and am surrounded by "my" fellow fans. The energy in Bell Centre is electrifying! You can feel the breadth and depth that 24 Cups has on each game and the awareness and respect the fans have of what it means to be a Montreal Canadiens. There is so much history and appreciation to being a Habs, during both highs and lows. As a hockey fan, there is really no bad seat in here. This stadium was built for hockey games. I can attest to this as I always sit in the upper nosebleeds, center ice however, and always feel like I can see everything clearly. The lifeline of the Canadiens' is all throughout the outside and the inside of the stadium. Outside, you see the past, with bricks on a walking path that have names of Habs players, statutes of players, and retired jersey sculptures. Inside, you see the present, with the walls painted with current players. The stadium still looks new after 20+ years. Unfortunately, you'll notice that the food offerings still seem to be stuck in that time, as the offerings at the concession stands only includes hot dogs, popcorn, small bags of potato chips, and maybe some other random minor-league BB stadium-type food. Yep - that's it. No, there is no teriyaki place on the other side of the stadium. No, there is no gourmet burger place one level down. Just dogs, popcorn, chips, and maybe pizza. Hopefully they step it up soon and update the food offerings. Lesson: don't come here hungry. Concession prices seem to be in line with most other major stadiums I've been to (Yanks, Mets, Rangers, Isles,Tor Blue Jays, Camden Yards, etc. etc). Allez Montreal!
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Robbie E.

Yelp
Went to see my Caps play the Habs. They are passionate about hockey here. Very welcoming to opposing team's fans. Had a great time and hope to do it again in the future. Really cool plaza outside that commemorates the deep history of the Canadiens. Get there early too see it and have time to get inside. Long lines to get in at game time.
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Norine A.

Yelp
As the main stage of Montreal- I love the Bell centre as one of the city's signature landmarks especially during hockey season. Easily accesible from the Bonaventure metro, Windsor station-the bell centre can seat up to 5000 to 20 000 people in one event. All major concerts, sporting events - like candiens games, cirque du soleil performances, etc.. There are food and bar counters, bathrooms forget it -go before the event or hold and go after.
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Jeremy K.

Yelp
This hockey arena is any NHL fan's wet dream come true. It's comfortable, spacious and has the highest seating capacity in the league, along with the most prodigious franchise in the sport making for a very unique and incredible experience. I've been there to see my beloved Boston Bruins play the Canadiens and although the tickets were very expensive ($150 per ticket), all five of us had an absolute blast there. The beers were tall boys, making for a drunkenly, wonderful time and the fans love their local team and it shows, but all in good fun. Honestly, the people were way nicer to us than we are to them when they come down. Each game starts with a video introduction that takes up the entire ice and lasts about 20 minutes as they introduce every single player who has ever played for the franchise, while spotlighting a certain few with video highlights of some of their best plays. I think that the only downsides to this arena are the fact that the tickets are exorbitantly expensive and due to some poor engineering, some seats in the upper deck have obstructed views due to the press boxes hanging in the way, preventing some fans from seeing any of the scoreboard and/or part of the ice. But despite these few negatives, this place blows away the TD Bank Garden and most if not all of the other arenas (expect maybe for Pittsburgh newest one which just opened this year). I cannot wait to return this upcoming January for another game.
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Andrea L.

Yelp
Purchased $259.00 tickets for April 29, 2020 concert through tickets.com. Concert was postponed due to covid. Postponed vs cancelled therefore no refund until venue officially cancels. We're in a pandemic for the unforeseen future. Cancel the concert. Large gatherings such as an indoor arena is a thing of the recent past. Cancel the concert. Tickets.com has no recourse to help me as a customer obtain a refund. All based on Bell Centre decision. Called Centre for status. Another dead end. Not happy with Bell Centre or tickets.com. No recourse for customers to get help. Big business screwing customers during a pandemic. Cancel the concert so customers can get their due refunds.
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Massimo G.

Yelp
I was born and raised in Montreal and yet I didn't grow up as a Montreal Canadiens die hard fan. I see myself being a NHL fan since I like players all across the league. Everytime I visit the Bell Center.. Even before the warmup, I get to feel goose bumps all over my body. The feeling you get to watch the team with the longuest history of all NHL is about to play! As far as drinks and food.. I wouldn't pay a penny. Water bottles are sold for almost 8$ Beer in cans for 11.50$.. Food is super expensive! Yes, I would visit several times each year but don't expect me throwing my money without looking during a hockey game
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Chaianna R.

Yelp
First time in Canada, first time for a hockey game. My experience at Bell Centre was great. The complex is huge and being it's Canada the place was packed. There wasn't a crazy line entering the venue and the security check wasn't much of a hassle. Being I know nothing about hockey I opted for the cheap tickets and got seating in the 400s but I still had a decent view. Didn't order any drinks or food, I know how stadiums can be and ate beforehand. But there's plenty of places to order your usual food (popcorn, nachos, etc) and drinks and beer of course. There's even a bar attached where I saw a bunch of people watching the game in there instead. I don't know how much everything costs but most likely it's more expensive than usual.
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Noosh M.

Yelp
Love venues outside United States, venue people are so much nicer! What I loved about this venue is that they have parking garage attached to the center. The night of my event was raining so hard and I was more then happy to pay the $25 Canadian dollars to park and just take a elevator. Going to concerts has been something which I've enjoyed most of my life. Lately I've been boycotting them. The reason has been all the searches, rules and rudeness which one has to in counter to go see a concert. Happily that did not happen here. Lots of police presence made me feel very safe. I had come to see Maroon5 perform. I've seen them many times in concert in many different parts of the world. This venue had to be my favorite. I appreciated the behavior of the Canadian people. Very polite and friendly. The place did not smell of just beer, actually it did not smell at all. My only complaint is that the sound system could have been better. Though my total experience was just awesome!
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Deirdre C.

Yelp
Not being a Montréal Canadiens fan (though we respect them as an Original 6 team), this was a first visit to CentreBell for us. It was time for the Adele concert we had waited almost 10 months for! Nice fall evening for the quick 10-minute walk from our hotel and chatting with other fans, included a few ladies who had flown in from Newfoundland. All Canadians know the island province as "The Rock", so there was a good giggle when we used the nickname in conversation. Caught them off guard, they thought we were Americans. ;) There was no sign which door we should go in, but a big line had formed in the middle entrance and was wrapping around one of the raised grass medians in the courtyard. Wasn't until we had come all the way around and nearly at the door, that a staffer came out, speaking loudly and gesturing. Few really seemed to understand her, even French speakers. But it turned out that line was for "ticketless" ticket holders, which only applied to certain sections of 100 level. We moved over to the next entrance, got our tickets scanned, went down a set of stairs, to go through security screening. My brother got the personal scanner treatment. The officer was amazed someone came without a cellphone and apparently that raised suspicions. I shouldn't laugh at a serious subject, but it was amusing watching my brother's face. Back up the stairs to the main level and walked around looking for the way to get to the 200 Club level. Walked right past the small stairway entrance. Signage could be a little more obvious. Found our seats, first row of the 200 level. Don't look over if you have height issues. The rail feels low, so I didn't do a lot of standing. Comfortable padded seats, good shoulder room so they're not up at your ears. But why no cup holders? That's pretty standard these days, especially in newer venues like this one. I had to put my cup on the floor between our seats because I couldn't clap and hold a drink. Then I forgot about it. Someone probably kicked it over on the way out. Sorry. When you buy a bottle of water, they won't let you keep the cap. Either take an open bottle or pour it into a fountain beverage cup. Apparently they don't want people pitching bottle lids down below. I should think a beverage cup or even an open bottle would be much worse. (Just like the boor at the 10/4/16 Toronto Blue Jays wild card game, who pitched an open water bottle onto the field. Show some class! But I digress... as usual.) Depending on an artist's stage setup, we were at about the peripheral limit for seeing the stage. They opened more sections in advance of the concert, but those people mostly just got to watch a video screen until Adele moved across to her satellite stage. Air ventilation was a bit lacking. It was muggy, probably from the ice rink below the floor. Some cool air started flowing about 20 minutes before the concert ended. Better late than never. Forgetting about the nit picks, Adele was spectacular, and so worth the wait! :)
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Avril D.

Yelp
Well I love the seating and how the highest isn't as bad as most. Also the bathroom facilities are newer and are in great shape. It is great cleanliness and the security at most events I've attended here are super nice and very attentive to their jobs. The seating have no cup holders which I really dislike holding my drink for the whole evening and can make it hard when you also have food as well. The food and drinks are really pricey at $10 + a drink. There are great bars inside the Bell Centre and nearby which I love. A line of taxis usually park outside so you can easily grab one. Or if you like you can use the metro to get anywhere you like. Ensure you leave early or later as to beat the crowd going on the metro as well. It's nearby Saint Catherine's which is great to explore after any event. Which is lined with bars and pubs. A little something for everyone. Overall I love it but there's a few things of course which could be changed !
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Diego B.

Yelp
I went with my stepdad once to watch the game and we had fun, sadly that day the Canadiens lost the game. I went too once to watch a Concert, it was cool. The prices are very high (Tickets + Food) at least 300$ each.
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Mike V.

Yelp
After several trips over the past few years, I've FINALLY found a reason to brave the winter in Montreal, hockey season.* More specifically, Sharks hockey. Had the pleasure of going to the game in December, teal Big Pavelski robe and everything. Even got on TV and the jumbo tron. Thank god they beat us 3 - 1, otherwise I might not have made it to the Metro. * okay, okay... hockey AND beautiful Montreal women who somehow get you seats 10 rows off the ice on the side YOUR team shoots twice, and yell at the players louder than you do. Note to out-of-town fans. Sit in the LOWER SECTION if you want to live. Yes, it probably costs a lot more, but from what I hear, you don't want to be wearing anything but red in the upper section. If you really want to test your luck, find an old Nordiques jersey and try to make it to the bathroom without getting jumped. ;-)
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Michelle R.

Yelp
As one person wrote, its not the nicest arena, but by golly there's history here. I looked up and saw the banners, and it was amazing. I came here to watch my Ducks play against the Habs, and some how found a way to get 24 tickets all together. It wasn't easy since we have Koivu, and i knew a lot of Habs fans who love Saku would attend this game. The price for the tickets were not cheap, and we were located upstairs. Also, the arena didn't allow us to watch our team warm up, which I thought was odd. The fans were nice, until we beat them. They shouted stuff at us in French, which thankfully I yelled back in Spanish: "Viva los Patos". The entire city of Montreal loves their hockey, and it shows. Great city, and I'd like to go back.
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Jason M.

Yelp
I've been to the Centre Bell (and whatever names it previously had) countless times to watch the Habs play, when they used to practice in the arena before they moved to the South Shore, traveled several tours of their Hall of Fame and watched various artists in concerts. I even watched a few wrestling shows! First and foremost, its location is easily accessible by car, bus, metro or train. There is plenty of parking albeit somewhat expensive due to its location. This arena is now a Montreal institution they are even building condos with its name. It's a great arena that has a lot of foot traffic in its day to day. We could talk about how expensive the prices are but it's one of a kind in the area and the Habs have sold out seats longer than some young adults have been in existence. I do agree the prices to many shows, the Hab games and particularly their boutique is insultingly overpriced. And I won't go in any detail about the concession prices... The arena is modern and very well built, particularly the lower bowl when the ambiance is sizzling and when something amazing happens, you'll remember it! The sound hits you like lightning and it's a one of a kind experience. The stadium is beautiful and rather clean for the amount of times it is being used. The view you tend to get is very well done, you always crave for better but ultimately, you get to see what you came for without the building getting in the way. My only gripe are the seats, it's obvious they wanted as many seats as they could fit in here but let's be honest with ourselves here, we're not all slim teenagers. A few more inches wider the seating experience would have been so much better! The quality of seats are fine but sitting down for 3 hours.... you leave with battle scars on your bum bum. They could have been better. Sorry to say. All in all, a great place to go and one of the best arenas you'd probably find around... today.
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Benoit L.

Yelp
For the ice hockey fans, this is the ONLY temple of this great sport !!!! With around 21'000 seats, this is probably the biggest hockey arena in the NHL. Believe it or not, even if the price of the tickets are quite high, it's sold out for every games. Every time I go watch a game at the Bell Center, which is unfortunately only once a year at max, I buy tickets in the red section in line with the faceoff line of the skating rink. For me this is the best area to enjoy the show. The ambiance was just great during the game. Here, in Montreal, the team has without any doubts the best fans!! They are also quite demanding but hey that's part of the game. With the years many players said that they could feel quite a pressure when playing in Montreal. The Fans will treat them like gods if they play well but they can be very nasty if the players do not perform like expected! I bought once a ticket for a seat located on the very last row up next to the roof, and I would never do it again. The view was partly blocked by the press gallery and you could barely see the puck. Still if you are stopping by Montreal on a game night and you've never been there, buy a ticket even if it's up next to the roof. You will still enjoy the evening. The only reasons I've put 4 stars instead of 5 is due to the outrageous food prices! I was shocked. A "trio" which includes a beer, a hot dog and a potato chips bag cost the crazy price of 21 Canadian dollars!! This is simply a slap in the face of the fans who already paid good money for the seats. I just don't get it, it costs almost the same price to buy a t-shirt (29$)!!! Somehow the prices of the souvenirs seemed more reasonnable. Oh and by the way there are many souvenirs shops in the arena if you want to buy the shirt of your favourite player! All in all I had a great evening, the Montreal Canadiens won, which was super great since it's my favourite team! To note that the Bell Center is not only for hockey games. Throught out the year there are many shows (musics, tournaments etc...). The Bell center is also quite well located. Next to many restaurants, bars and also close by busy shopping streets. There is a subway station (Lucien L'Allier, on the orange line) right next to the Bell Center. There is even a an enclosed corridor between the two which is quite convenient when it's -30 deg C outside!!!!
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Coy W.

Yelp
Centre Bell isn't the nicest arena's I've been to and it's not the biggest stadium I've been to but absolutely NOBODY can argue that they house some of the greatest fans in North America. Whether it's a hockey event, a big fight you'll be guaranteed that the crowd will hold down their fort and minimize the amount of visiting fans, yes I'm looking at you other Canadian cities!!!!! as well as cheer on their hometown team or stars. There's not a lot of places with this much emotion, fun and pride all the time and not just when their team is doing well. For that MTL I give your Centre Bell a 5 star review. The concerts here are cool to and with any arena there comes a level where it's difficult to make out the band but you have to expect that! With 95% of arena's the food sucks and is overpriced. ;)
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Ann T.

Yelp
Location: In the heart of downtown MTL. The center is connected to Lucien L'Allier metro (orange line) - you've got to walk through the walkway to get over to the BC. In terms of street parking: if you're going for an event then you're mental if you a) drive and b) decide to park near the BC because it'll take you forever to get out of the downtown core, post-event! There are plenty of parking lots in the area and of course, prices will vary from one place to another. The place: I've been to shows at the old forum and at arenas in Toronto and the US, and I'd say the Bell Center is a pretty good place to catch a show or watch a hockey game. The seating capacity is just over 21K. Those of you who know me, know that I'm a massive U2 fans so it won't surprise you to hear that the bulk of the shows I've seen here are U2-related. My friends and I always buy floor tickets and this involves many, many U2 fans descending on the city to line up either the night before the show(s) or very, very early the morning of the show(s) to secure a spot in line. My only beef with the Bell Center is that they never seem to have a plan of action when it comes to the line-ups and how to manage them. This is unlike other venues who learned a long time ago that crazy U2 fans would line up well in advance of a show to secure their spot on the floor. In many cases, security often work with the GA (General Admission) line runners (usually a group of fans who organize the GA line) to make sure that entry to the venue goes smoothly. The goods: Well, in this case, the goods are U2 but this isn't a show review so I'll move along. Price point: Depends on what you're going to see.
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Serge N.

Yelp
$15 for a beer can. $8 for a small bag of stale popcorn. If you thought movie theatres and baseball stadium have been ripping you off, get ready for the next level. Bell Centre's "food" is a downright sadistic travesty.
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Brandon K.

Yelp
The Bell Center is awesome, I've been here for a number of concerts and games over the years and the place is top notch. There is not a bad seat in this place for a hockey game, plenty of vendors,bathrooms and services. Security is quick and easy to navigate when entering and the quick exits are very handy at the end of the night. We love this place !
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Tony F.

Yelp
I miss the old forum, but this is a typical new stadium. It's pretty much like any new arena these days. Unfortunately they're all cookie cutters now, but they do offer all the latest greatest, HD jumbotron, more efficient bathrooms, decent sound system and better sightlines. But I do miss the character of older buildings.
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Kevin M.

Yelp
Home of the the greatest franchise sports team in North America, and the 24 time champions of the Stanley Cup: The Montreal Canadiens. Packing a sold out arena of 22,000 fans every Habs home game is a great experience, however I'm not quite a fan of the location for concerts and smaller venues - somehow it just doesn't do it for me. I love the Express Exits that they have - wish other arenas had the same.