You’re here because you want to know the best NHL arenas. We took a look at them all and factored in all the history, fan experience and atmosphere.
While some of these arenas have historical charm, others have all the modern perks. Let’s take a look at the ten best:
10. Amalie Arena (Tampa Bay Lightning)
The Tampa Bay Lightning might not win a popularity contest but they’ve got recent success and one of the best NHL stadiums on their side which has waterfront views, sits along the Hillsborough River and is in the middle of downtown.
A thunderous atmosphere awaits those who experience an ice hockey game at Amalie Arena with game day entertainment featuring a Tesla Coil light show in the rafters literally creating real lightning strikes.
9. United Center (Chicago Blackhawks)
It takes about two hours to transform the United Center from an NBA hardcourt to an NHL-ready ice rink. Collapsible seating at the west and east ends fold to reduce capacity to 19,717 for ice hockey to allow for the rink.
The marvel of the transformation from the Bulls to Blackhawks is matched by the fiery atmosphere during NHL games, with passionate fans driving United Center to ninth on our list of best NHL stadiums.
8. TD Garden (Boston Bruins)
Boston’s TD Garden is one of the best NHL arenas with one of the most electric atmospheres. A capacity of 17,850 is about seven percent less than NBA games but you still get the same massive entryway when walking in.
Both Bruins and Celtics fans get to enjoy the 4K centre-hung scoreboard dubbed “Hub Vision” which measures 18ft by 32.5ft wide, which you’d expect for one of the most popular NHL teams in the world.
7. Rogers Place (Edmonton Oilers)
If you want to go deaf head to Rogers Place. Oilers fans reaching 112 decibels before a game even started gives you an idea how intense and electrifying the atmosphere is at the arena.
The energy from the 18,347-seat Rogers Place spills right into the hockey hotbed of downtown Edmonton. Built in 2016, the 9,000 tonnes of structural steel is evident wherever you’re looking at.
6. Madison Square Garden (New York Rangers)
Madison Square Garden opened in 1968 at a cost of $1 billion in today’s money. Despite being the oldest stadium in the NBA as well as in the NHL, it remains one of the best NHL arenas. It’s hockey seating configuration caps it at a capacity of 18,006, 10% fewer seats available than NBA games.
The Rangers sharing the hallowed ground of Madison Square Garden with the Knicks only adds to the appeal, with the shared legacy creating a crossover appeal for both fan bases which share passion and energy for their teams.
5. T-Mobile Arena (Las Vegas Golden Knights)
The Las Vegas Golden Knights joined the NHL in 2017 and the 17,500-seat T-Mobile Arena very quickly became a fortress, with the Golden Knights winning their first Stanley Cup in 2023.
For those that visit Vegas, T-Mobile Arena is a great destination to break up a gambling spree with its state-of-the-art facilities and entertainment which you’ll likely come across smoke, fire, dragons and armor.
4. Little Caesars Arena (Detroit Red Wings)
Natural light and the wide concourses sets the tone for one of the best NHL arenas, Little Caesars Arena. It’s “deconstructed” design is functional and the brick, glass and metal industrial look is very Detroit-like.
There are incredible site lines for all 19,515 fans that can fit inside the stadium, which is what you’d hope for, for a stadium that leaves a little change left over from $1 billion.
3. Bell Centre (Montreal Canadiens)
Bell Centre is the best NHL stadium, a fitting home to the most popular team in ice hockey, the Montreal Canadiens. Dozens of banners hang from the rafters creating a fascinating aura around hockey’s most iconic team.
Over 21,000 fans pack into the most electrifying atmosphere the NHL can offer with the Bell Center effectively a shrine to the world’s oldest pro ice hockey team.
2. UBS Arena (New York Islanders)
After over two years of construction and 750,000 bricks later UBS Arena opened in 2021 and gives off Citi Field vibes. The red brick, sea green walls and swanky facade windows welcome a hockey capacity of 17,255.
UBS Arena has a very traditional and classic design compared to today’s typical arenas, but it still has all the modern technological perks including AI-powered virtual concierge and engineered acoustics
1.Climate Pledge Arena (Seattle Kraken)
Climate Pledge Arena is the best NHL arena and is why Seattle will get the next NBA team. Opening in 1961, ground-up renovations completed in 2021 exceeded $1 billion 17,151 screaming Kraken fans.
One end of Climate Pledge Arena brings in natural light through a large window, and the upper bowls are at street level which gives the arenas lower seating the uniqueness of being below ground.
