The National Hockey League is a sport that is rapidly growing in popularity in the United States. Our staff decided to compile a list of the ten largest arenas in the National Hockey League. Our list begins with the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
10. Scottrade Center, St. Louis Blues - 19,150
The Scottrade Center was formerly known as the Kiel Center and before that, the Savvis Center. Although the St. Louis Blues haven't had the most successful runs at the Stanley Cup in recent years, Scottrade Center maybe perhaps the busiest NHL arena with the exception of the Staples Center. The arena is owned by the city of St. Louis and is located in the heart of downtown. Scottrade Center has been home to the St. Louis Blues since 1994.
9. Prudential Center, New Jersey Devils - 19,150
The Prudential Center is one of the newest arenas in the National Hockey League after opening in 2007. Located in downtown Newark, the Devils moved to the Prudential Center after playing at the Izod Center; their home since 1982. There are more than 70 luxury suites at the Prudential Center; more than any other NHL arena. Devils season ticket holders have access to several bars, restaurants and lounges scattered throughout the venue. The NBA's Brooklyn Nets played their home games at the Prudential Center before moving to Brooklyn's Barclays Center in 2012.
8. Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa Senators - 19,153
Formerly the Corel Centre and Scotiabank Place, the Canadian Tire Centre has been home to the Ottawa Senators since 1996. The team had originally played their home games at the Ottawa Civic Centre. Outside of hockey, the venue has played host to a number of acts including the Juno Awards. The Canadian Tire Centre is located in Kanata, a suburb of Ottawa that sits miles from downtown. The Ottawa Senators are currently lobbying for the construction of a new arena in downtown Ottawa in an area called LeBreton Flats.
7. BB&T Center, Florida Panthers - 19,250
The BB&T Center, formerly the BankAtlantic Center and the Office Depot Center, is located in sunny south Florida in a suburb called Sunrise, Florida. Sunrise is located just outside of Fort Lauderdale and almost an hour from Miami, Florida. The venue was constructed with very few private funds and has been home to the Florida Panthers since 1998. The team had originally played in the old Miami Arena with the Miami Heat since the team's inception in 1993.
6. Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary Flames - 19,289
The Scotiabank Saddledome is one of the oldest arenas in the National Hockey League and has been home to the Calgary Flames since 1983. The Scotiabank Saddledome was previously called the Pengrowth Saddledome. Events that have been held at the Saddledome include the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Winter Olympics and the NHL All-Star game. The Calgary Flames have a lease with the city thru the 2014 season at which time the city plans to have a new arena built not far from the Saddledome.
5. Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia Flyers - 19,290
Located in the South Philly Sports Complex and adjacent to Citizens Bank Park and Lincoln Financial Field, the Wells Fargo Center sees tons of fan traffic despite being a few miles from downtown Philadelphia. The Wells Fargo Center has been home to the Philadelphia Flyers since 1996 and doesn't have quiet the history that the old Philadelphia Spectrum has. A lot of fans were actually bitter over the construction of a new home arena for the Flyers. Then again, Philadelphia sports fans are not easy-going by any means. The Wells Fargo Center is also the home of the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers.
4. Little Caesars Arena, Detroit Red Wings - 19,515
Little Caesars Arena has been home to the Detroit Red Wings since 2017. The arena is also home to the NBA's Detroit Pistons. The construction of Little Caesars Arena marks the first time either franchise has shared an arena with another team. It also marks the first time all four of Detroit's professional sports teams have played downtown and adjacent to each other. Little Caesars Arena is also part of a new mixed-use neighborhood called "The District Detroit".
3. Amalie Arena, Tampa Bay Lightning - 19,804
Although the Tampa Bay Lightning are a small market hockey franchise, Amalie Arena is one of the largest and busiest arenas in the National Hockey League. Formerly called the Tampa Bay Times Forum, Amalie Arena played host to the 1999 NHL All-Star game as well as the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals and the 2012 National Republican Convention. It has been home to the Lightning since the 1996 season and has recently undergone a series of renovations that will improve the fan experience.
2. United Center, Chicago Blackhawks - 20,717
Though the Chicago Blackhawks are a force to be reckoned with on the ice, the United Center is better known as the home of the Chicago Bulls who have won 3 NBA titles. The United Center has been home to the Chicago Blackhawks since it's opening in 1994. Outside of the arena, one will find statues of former Chicago sports heroes like Michael Jordan, Stan Mikita and Bobby Hull. The United Center's location is outstanding according to Chicago residents although the surrounding neighborhood could use some improvement.
1. Bell Centre, Montreal Canadiens - 21,273
It's only right that the team with the most Stanley Cups plays in the biggest arena in the National Hockey League with a capacity of more than 21,000. The Bell Centre was formerly known as the Molson Centre and is widely considered by NHL fans as the NHL arena with the most prestine location. There is a strong French influence throughout the Bell Centre as Montreal has historically had many French inhabitants. Bell Centre is also home to La Cage aux Sports, a very popular dining spot in Montreal. The Bell Centre is known to be one of the loudest arenas in the National Hockey League and scoring affordable tickets to "Habs" games is next to impossible.
Though bigger does not always reflect the quality of the fan experience, every NHL arena has something special to offer for the home fan base.
JUMP TO
- The NHL Franchise Scenario in Las Vegas, Quebec City and Seattle.
- Planning Your Trip to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ontario.
- How all 30 NHL Teams got their Nickname.
- Why do Chicago Blackhawks fans Cheer during the National Anthem?
- Why do Detroit Red Wings fans throw an Octopus onto the ice during games?
