Hockey games are some of the most exciting experiences in sports. The speed of the game along with the skill it takes to do it on a sheet of ice breeds an event like no other. It doesn't matter the level or the stakes. Preseason games in the NHL, games during the World Junior Championships, Olympic gold medal matches, and watching the kids in a high school rink all have the same thing in common; the product on the ice is incredibly exciting.
Hockey has this "edge-of-your-seat" feel in every close game. The structure of the game helps, with defense turning into offense in a moment's notice and every goal mattering so much to the game's outcome. With a sport so exciting, every arena is going to have its perks. However, there are some arenas that are just at the top of the list.
Some arenas get great marks for the pregame ceremonies, while others have an in-game experience that is top notch. There are arenas surrounded by great restaurants and bars, and then there's the ones that have a massive party outside prior to every game. The in-game experience is just as important as the one sitting outside the arena. With that said, which arenas need to be on your bucket list?
5. Madison Square Garden — New York, NY — Home of the Rangers
The "World's Most Famous Arena" gets that moniker for a reason. MSG owns the greatest real estate in sports, parked on top of Penn Station one of the busiest travel hubs in the world. Fans don't even need to be in New York City to have easy access to Rangers games. Penn Station is easily accessible from many other Northeast hubs, and there are about a thousand restaurants and bars in walking distance from the arena.
This is one of the oldest arenas in the league, but it's been fully renovated and is an absolute must-see on the list even beyond its location. There is a strangely intimate feel to MSG. It's hard to find a seat that feels far from the action. Also, from NBA and college basketball, hockey, WWE wrestling, concerts, and the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show (which unfortunately had to move due to the COVID-19 pandemic), Madison Square Garden runs more than 300 events per year. They are pros, and that shows out in every event, including Rangers hockey. It's a professional show through and through.
The reason this isn't higher on the list is the fanbase that's often attracted to Rangers games and the price point. It's a lot of Wall Street execs, clients swooning, celebrities, and more. The concession prices have skyrocketed, and the ticket prices have exploded more than that. It's hurt the arena experience slightly as the cheers are just a decibel quieter.
4. PPG Paints Arena — Pittsburgh, PA — Home of the Penguins
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is one of the most underrated cities in North America. Largely known as a working-class city, there is so much a tourist can do in the city. The Andy Warhol Museum, Pennsylvania Macaroni Company, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and Union Station is all within a mile of PPG Paints Arena, home of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Getting to the game is pretty easy, as the arena is right downtown and there is an abundance of parking options. The bus is the main form of transportation for this part of Pittsburgh, so that option is right there for the taking. There are plenty of Pittsburgh favorites to eat and drink, from Pierogies, burgers, Iron City beer, and Primanti Bros. sandwiches, right near the arena.
Inside, the new scoreboard is three times bigger than the previous one, giving you better views of future Hall of Famers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. With Erik Karlsson also in the fold, the hockey will be fast and furious, making for a wild in-house experience. These Hall of Famers will only be playing for so long, so if you haven't seen them yet, it's time to do it before they hang up their skates.
One thing you may not expect to talk about with the experience is the seats themselves. PPG claims to have the most comfortable seating arrangement in the NHL, with seats that are two feet wide. No more rubbing elbows with strangers (unless you're into that kind of thing). The comfort of your seat isn't enough to keep you from the Western PA favorite Fox's Pizza or sushi from Nakama.
3. Climate Pledge Arena — Seattle, WA — Home of the Kraken
Seattle wanted something to celebrate when they added hockey to its list of sports options in 2021. The city never got over the loss of the Supersonics, so bringing in a new option for basically the same exact season more than a decade later had to fill some serious shoes. Give kudos to the Seattle Kraken ownership because they did not rest on their laurels. They came into the market swinging.
The Kraken have added to the in-arena experience every year. The pregame show is fantastic. They use on-ice projections to play a one-of-a-kind movie on most nights. It gets people in their seats prior to puck drop. There's crazy music and a light show. The experience is basically a concert before a hockey game. The Kraken have an interesting team when it comes to the actual hockey, but the arena experience is unlike any other.
Of course, Seattle is known for coffee. There are self-checkout and a few grab-and-go markets where lines don't matter. It's all self-checkout, including a Starbucks shop for those who need a pick-me-up. There are concessions for all shapes and sizes, including vegan and vegetarian options.
And of course, the arena lives up to its name. It claims to be the first arena in the world to achieve the International Living Future Institute Zero Carbon Certification. The entire arena runs on electric power, and the electricity comes from 100 percent renewable energy. Does that add to the experience of the arena itself? It at least makes us feel a little better about our consumption in the area.
2. Bell Centre — Montreal, QC — Home of the Canadiens
Canada is the home of hockey, but they are being lapped in experiences by their U.S. counterparts. At least, in most cities. That is very much not the case in Montreal, where the hockey might not be up to par right now, but the experience is the best in Canada. The halls of the Bell Centre ooze hockey. If these walls could talk is a saying no truer than in Montreal. That arena speaks to generations of hockey fans and the best players to ever lace up a pair of skates.
Montreal is another great North American city with an underrated food and beverage scene. There are restaurants for just about everything, and the partying is pure fun without the fluff. Fun clubs for music before your meal, exquisite dining experiences, and a bar scene that's worthy of a bachelor or bachelorette party make this the perfect pregame.
Beyond that, the sightlines are fantastic. Every seat at the Bell Centre is a great one. There's no concern about the "nosebleed" section. Fans and spectators can still feel every moment in their bones. Speaking of which, the fans are just electric from puck drop to the final buzzer. Every goal blows the roof off the arena. It's high-intensity for every single game.
Then, there's the hot dogs. Yes, we're serious. Hot dogs are worth the flight north of the border alone. The hot dogs, called chien chauds, are an institution. We can't explain them in words. Just try them. You won't regret it.
1. T-Mobile Arena — Las Vegas, NV — Home of the Golden Knights
Well, lookey here, another championship for the Vegas Golden Knights. The NHL's little engine that could turn an expansion team with no expectations into a powerhouse both on and off the ice. On the ice, the product keeps getting better. They always have the biggest stars, including Mark Stone, Alex Pietrangelo, and Jack Eichel. The movement never stops with this team as they continue to collect stars like Infinity Stones.
The fanbase was huge from the moment the team went to Vegas. Most analysts said there was no way a team would survive in Vegas, but the Golden Knights proved that wasn't true. It went so well, the Raiders and Athletics left Oakland and joined the Knights in Sin City. The fans were called fake prior to their arrival. Now, nobody can deny what this fanbase brings on a nightly basis.
It actually all starts with the crew, putting together a Vegas-style show for every home game. The arena is right on the Las Vegas strip and can be seen from many of the hotels in the area. They usually air the game on the outside of the arena, which brings a giant crowd outside. However, the show inside is worth the price of admission alone. This is an event with costumes, on-ice projections, amazing announcers, and even Medival Times happening on the ice. The show is different every time and big games usually bring out bigger productions.
We don't need to tell you what's around the arena. Vegas is Vegas. It's a giant adult playground. Nightclubs, casinos, sportsbooks, the best restaurants, shows, concerts, and this weird Sphere thing makes Vegas a non-stop activity. The hockey game might be the least exciting part of the trip, and it's still an incredible experience that has yet to be matched.