The NHL is one of the most prestigious leagues in the world of professional sports. To be considered as such, the arenas of their NHL teams have to be up to standards with the league’s regulations. While that may be the case, certain arenas are considered way better than others.
Let’s dive in and rank all NHL arenas from WORST to FIRST.
Where does your favorite NHL team’s arena rank in this list?
32. Mullett Arena – Arizona Coyotes
Mullett Arena is in no way, shape, or form, suitable for the NHL. This place is only being used because the Coyotes need a place to play until their new arena is built. Let’s just hope no other NHL team has to play in a college arena again any time soon.
31. Scotiabank Saddledome – Calgary Flames
Fans in Calgary have been asking for a new arena for years now. There have been leaks and structural damages reported. Now that the fans have been heard, there is a $1.22 billion event center being built for the team.
30. Rogers Place – Edmonton Oilers
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According to the many gamegoers in Edmonton, the seats aren’t too comfy and have no legroom inside the NHL arena. While the games may be enjoyable for fans, you may not be too comfortable depending on where you sit.
29. Wells Fargo Center – Philadelphia Flyers
Since the place opened in 1996, capacity peeked at 19,605 in 2018. Since 2022, the capacity has dropped by nearly 500 and the food is not too great at the venue, according to gamegoers.
28. Enterprise Center – St. Louis Blues
Fans have many good things to say about Enterprise Centre however, the location makes it difficult for them to park. According to many there is a fee and while the place may be easy to get around, I don’t think fans want to pay extra parking fees on top of their tickets.
27. UBS Arena – New York Islanders
According to fans, there is another issue with the parking prices. The drinks are also decently expensive. Also, let’s be honest, is an Isles game really worth suffering through those ticket prices.
Also read: All 32 NHL Teams’ Mount Rushmore: Which 4 Players Made It For Your Team?
26. Canadian Tire Centre – Ottawa Senators
The NHL arena is nice and all but, fans do not like the parking situation there. The team is also not as competitive as fans would like and the the higher up tickets are difficult to justify sitting in with the state of traffic flow in the 300 level during games.
25. Little Ceasars Arena – Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings left the historic Joe Louis Arena in 2017 for Little Ceasars Arena, causing many upset fans. The arean doesn’t have that history aspect which is why it ranks so low on our list.
24. Amalie Arena – Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning have been playing their home games in Amalie Arena since 1996. The entry process to the stadium is charotic and a drink at a game may cost you an arm and a leg, placing the arena here on our list.
23. Rogers Arena – Vancouver Canucks
Rogers Arena has been the home of the Canucks for nearly three decades. The place has seen very little up keeping since 2016 and does look decently outdated.
22. Canada Life Centre – Winnipeg Jets
The Canada Life Centre hasn’t seen much renovations at all since its opening to replace the Winnipeg Arena. Fans are not attending games either, suggesting the experience may not be too pleasing overall inside the NHL arena.
21. Nationwide Arena – Columbus Blue Jackets
With the latest renovation news only being plans to add LEDs around the arena, and the only addition to the rink being the netting above the glass in 2002, Nationwide Arena has no bearing for a higher spot on our list.
20. Capital One Arena – Washington Capitals
With recent news of $515 million going towards renovations at the nearly 30 year old venue, not much stock will be put in a higher placing till we see those first renovations as we only saw the last ones in 2020.
19. Scotiabank Arena – Toronto Maple Leafs
Scotiabank Arena may be one of the most visually appealing in the entire NHL, but prices of Leafs games, gear, and drinks at the venue are astronomical. The prices don’t justify a higher place on this list.
18. T-Mobile Arena – Vegas Golden Knights
With the arena being built in 2016, it has gone 8 seasons without any additions. With the Knights having just won their first cup at home in 2023, the history aspect doesn’t quite fit the build for a higher ranking as of yet.
17. Amerant Bank Arena – Florida Panthers
The last renovations to the arena were seen in 2013 with it gaining a new scoreboard. There has been no recent movement as of now, the only thing holding the rank above Vegas is the historical aspects.
16. Crypto.com Arena – Los Angeles Kings
The recently renamed Crypto.com arena underwent renovations as recent as 2022 and is set to be completed this year. The NHL arena could be placed higher on this list if the renovations are deemed suitable.
15. Bell Centre – Montreal Canadiens
Not much has been done to the Bell Centre since it’s building in 1996. The only reason it remains as high on this list as it is is due to it’s historical feel and comparison to the old Montral forum.
14. SAP Center – San Jose Sharks
The SAP center received renovations in both 2022 and 2023. The appily named “Shark Tank” has been modernized at least every 9 years since it’s opening in 1990.
Also read: Ranking All 32 NHL Teams After Week 25 Games
13. Prudential Center – New Jersey Devils
The Prudentials Center’s recent drawing of many celebrities and young NHL talent helps it’s placement on this list. It’s surrounding has aided the arena in it’s looks, with the latest revamp coming in 2019.
12. Bridgestone Arena – Nashville Predators
The Bridgestone Arena saw the completion of a seating upgrade in 2016 along with a scoreboard upgrade in 2019, and don’t get us started on the Nashville gameday environment.
11. Xcel Energy Centre – Minnesota Wild
The Xcel Energy Center was listed as the third best place to experience a game live by ESPN in 2010. There has been a recent proposal as of 2023 to “modernize” the NHL arena, which could push it higher on our list.
10. American Airlines Center – Dallas Stars
The Amrican Airlines Center recently saw a $20 million upgrade in 2023. The upgrades included the seats, videoboard, and even a new roof, which is why it ranks so high on our list.
9. Ball Arena – Colorado Avalanche
Ball Arena has not seen renovations since 2013-14 season where the scoreboard was replaced. The arena has also seen two Stanley cup finals series with the Avs winning one at home in 2002, adding a historic value to the place.
8. PNC Arena – Carolina Hurricanes
According to sources in Raleight, the PNC Arena will see over $3.1 billion in revenue due to a upcoming renovation they are about to begin. The arena already looks in great condition.
7. KeyBank Center – Buffalo Sabres
KeyBank Center is one of the more modern looking and feeling NHL arenas. New seats were added in 2012 and the suites were renovated in 2013 with outside being remodeled in 2016. The arena continues to remain as one of the top barns in the NHL.
6. TD Garden – Boston Bruins
TD Garden is one of the most historically significant arenas in the league today. Built to resemble th old Boston Garden, the new place has been Boston’s hom since 1995 and has seen it’s fair share of renovations most recently with a new sound system and jumbotron in 2021-22.
5. Honda Center – Anaheim Ducks
Honda Center recently received a refurbishment, which included a new scoreboard in 2015. The fans reaction is pretty positive as of recently, and it seems as though the arena is in good standings.
4. PPG Paints Arena – Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins have been playing at PPG Paints arena for since 2010. The arena has held many charitable events including Penguins away game watch parties and hasn’t had any problems in since it was built.
3. United Center – Chicago Blackhawks
With the team on the up, and fairly decent prices for the food and the arena in overall decent condition, it’s hard for fans to complain about enjoying a Blackhawks game in Chicago.
2. Climate Pledge Arena – Seattle Kraken
While it may not be the newest arena in the league, its recent modifications give it a more modern feel. Now that the Kraken is a team, being the league’s most eco-friendly arena helps to put it at number 2 on the list.
1. Madison Square Garden – New York Rangers
Madison Square Garden is one of, if not, the most famous venues in the world when it comes to the world of performance. It’s no different with Rangers games as the historic venue draws a decent crowd and celebrity sightings are common.
Also read: 11 Worst Arenas In The NHL Right Now
