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The Best NHL Stadiums for Hockey

Will Brown by Will Brown, July 18, 2025

Rogers Place best NHL stadium

With 32 NHL stadiums across the US and Canada, it’s no easy feat to visit them all. However, with some renowned for offering electric atmospheres, comfortable seating, and amenities, and state-of-the-art spectating technology, there are several that cannot be missed. To help you plan your next hockey holiday, we’ve created a list of the 10 best NHL stadiums across the US and Canada. Each provides a distinct visitor experience fitting for their iconic hometowns.

What Are the Best NHL Arenas?

Because we understand that different readers will have subjective biases towards the best NHL arenas, we’ve based our rankings on the reviews of our staff, hockey fans, and tourists. Our guide takes into consideration everything from the quality of the stadium architecture to the visitor experience.

You can use the links below to jump to each write-up on the 10 top hockey stadiums, from the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh to Madison Square Garden in New York. To start, though, we’ve explained what makes a top arena so special.

The Top NHL Arenas Ranked

If you’re a regular bettor at the best NHL online sportsbooks, you should be well aware of most of these stadium names. However, you may not know just how worthwhile they are to visit. Our reviews firstly take into account the unique stadium designs, including its capacity, amenities, and modern design.

We’ve also analyzed elements closely aligned to the visitor experience, including the atmosphere of home games, the seating, the amenities, the food options, and the visibility of the action. Whether you plan to visit these cities and want something to do, or are exclusively planning a hockey holiday, these NHL arenas ranked shouldn’t be missed.

10. PPG Paints Arena – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

As one of the more recent sites on this list of the best NHL stadiums, the PPG Paints Arena was opened in 2010 to host the local Pittsburgh Penguins. Designed by Populous and Astorino, the arena replaced the historic Civic Arena, with an increased seating capacity of over 18,000 and views of downtown Pittsburgh through its glass exterior.

Highlights of the arena include its massive four-sided LED scoreboard, two 360-degree LED rings, and its sustainably designed 100-foot-tall atrium. Its fan base also ensures an electric atmosphere at each game, with the site hosting the Penguins’ Stanley Cup runs in 2016 and 2017, with comfortable sightlines at each seat ensuring uninterrupted enjoyment.

9. Xcel Energy Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota

Opened in 2000, the Xcel Energy Center was designed by HOK Sport to reflect the “State of Hockey” nickname of Minnesota. The stadium features four levels with crows nests in each corner, with each emitting horns, music, and organs to add additional drama to Minnesota Wild games at the “X”.

It is distinguished by its Wild-themed decor and wall of local college hockey jerseys, a large LED circular scoreboard, a barrel-vaulted roof, and its prime location in downtown Saint Paul. The stadium’s acoustics amplify the passionate cheers of Wild fans, with its roughly 18,000 capacity filled for dramatic playoff runs and the 2004 NHL All-Star Game.

8. Scotiabank Arena – Toronto, Ontario

Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, Ontario, the Scotiabank Arena opened in 1999. Home to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the iconic venue was designed by Brisbin Brook Beynon Architects. The 18,800-seat stadium is considered among the best hockey arenas due to its ease of use, making it the 13th most visited stadium in the world.

Scotiabank Arena’s design improves fan experience through its LED walls, smartglass, and “Just Walk Out” technology that makes coming and going frictionless. The venue also offers an art collection, retail spaces, restaurants, and clubs for NHL fans. Its design also maximizes the crowd noise, so this is not one for the faint of heart.

7. T-Mobile Arena – Las Vegas, Nevada

Located just off the Las Vegas Strip, T-Mobile Arena is among the most technologically advanced stadiums in the world. Home to the Vegas Golden Knights since their debut in 2017, it opened the year previous. It was designed by Populous and Klai Juba Wald and boasts 17,500 seats for NHL games. Among the modern design elements is a top-tier sound system, LED lighting effects, and a massive, crystal-clear center scoreboard.

Its NHL pre-game shows also hark back to Vegas’ glory days, with theatrical lighting, live knights, and choreographed performances that rival rock shows. The stadium has already gone down in history for hosting the Golden Knights’ run to the Stanley Cup Final in their first season and their championship win in 2023. Visitors can also enjoy a range of quality dining options such as sushi and burgers.

6. Little Caesars Arena – Detroit, Michigan

Located in downtown Detroit, Michigan, Little Caesars Arena opened in 2017 and was designed by HOK. Home to the Detroit Red Wings, this is among the best NHL arenas for its litany of ultra-modern design features. This includes a massive center-hung scoreboard and LED lighting system that is at the centre of its spectacular pregame shows.

The design alludes to Detroit’s automotive heritage and is already a beloved ground among the Red Wings’ “Hockeytown” fanbase. The building features premium amenities such as multiple restaurants and bars, and excellent sightlines from all 19,515 hockey seats. Its location in the District Detroit development also ensures easy pre- and post-game entertainment for guests.

5. Rogers Place – Edmonton, Alberta

Designed by renowned stadium architects HOK, Rogers Place opened in 2016 to host the Edmonton Oilers. In addition to having the largest scoreboard of any NHL stadium, Rogers Place was also Canada’s first to be awarded a LEED Silver certification in sustainability. This hasn’t come at the expense of its design, though, with over 18,000 hockey seats offering supreme game views.

Highlights include its advanced sound and lighting systems, a myriad of restaurant and bar options in the Ford Hall, and its location. However, the biggest draw that makes it among the best hockey stadiums is its incredible atmosphere, with Oilers fans known to create passionate displays of loyalty for their beloved team.

4. United Center – Chicago, Illinois

Located on Chicago’s Near West Side, United Center opened in 1994 and was designed by HOK. The home of the Chicago Blackhawks, the arena is best known for hosting three Stanley Cups between 2010 and 2015. It has a large capacity of 20,500 seats, with guests welcomed by a large Michael Jordan statue before the entrance.

The most exciting thing about the United Center is its Blackhawks fanbase, though, which has a reputation for creating one of the loudest environments in sports. This is thanks to its specially designed acoustics. As well as offerings of Chicago food favourites such as Italian beef sandwiches and deep-dish pizza.

3. Bell Centre – Montreal, Quebec

Montreal’s Bell Centre opened in 1996 and was designed by Dan S. Hanganu and Lemay & Associates. As the home of the Montreal Canadiens, this arena is among the most revered in hockey history thanks to its hosting of the most successful franchise in NHL history. Many of its achievements have taken place at the Bell Centre, with 21,302 seats making its crowds the largest in the league.

Its incredible, if not intimidating, atmosphere is thanks to the passionate Quebecois fans who are known to sing “Ole Ole Ole” throughout games and make deafening noises. Visitors can enjoy French-Canadian cuisine, including poutine and tourtière, or experience the vibrant local nightlife before or after games. Most recently, it hosted the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off.

2. TD Garden – Boston, Massachussetts

TD Garden opened in 1995 and was designed by Ellerbe Becket. Home to the Boston Bruins, this arena was built to honor the legacy of the Boston Garden, with designers ensuring it maintained its predecessor’s intimate yet intimidating atmosphere. The site is brought to life by the unwieldy Boston fanbase and allusions to the Bruins’ multiple Stanley Cup championships.

Among the best NHL stadiums for its modern amenities, visitors can enjoy a range of New England cuisine, such as clam chowder and lobster rolls. There are over 17,500 hockey seats, excellent acoustics, and huge 4K Hub Vision screens to capture all of the live action. If you’re looking for an unforgettable night of hockey, you can’t go passed TD Garden.

1. Madison Square Garden – New York, New York

Topping the list of the best NHL arenas ranked is New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden. Designed by Charles Luckman Associates and opened in 1968, it is considered to be the first purpose-built hockey stadiumin the world. It is home to the New York Rangers, whose fans have filled its 18,000 seats to watch everything from Stanley Cup Finals to tense playoffs.

Nicknamed “MSG”, the stadium is undoubtedly the world’s most famous arena. It has undergone several renovations over the years to ensure guests can experience the latest audio and visual technology, high-class dining and entertainment options, and a wealth of cultural attractions. The atmosphere at MSG is palpable and imbued with years of hockey history, making it essential to visit for fans and non-fans alike.

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