Professional ice hockey is a world where the rush of the game, the roar of the fans, and the buzz of the arenas converge to create an experience that’s nothing short of electrifying.
It’s a world where the stakes are high, the temperatures are low, and the spirits of the fans know no bounds. But what makes the experience even more distinctive is the arena.
The arena serves as more than just a backdrop to the thrilling games; it’s a spectacle in its own right and often plays a pivotal role in shaping a fan’s experience.
To identify the crème de la crème of NHL arenas, we’ve turned to the people who know them best: the fans.
Using a composite of fan ratings from Google Maps, Facebook, Yelp, and TripAdvisor, we’ve crafted an all-encompassing ranking of NHL arenas.
The ranking reflects the overall fan experience, encapsulating everything from the energy of the crowd and quality of amenities, to the location and local food offerings.
To be eligible for the ranking, each arena needed to have reviews on at least three out of the four platforms. The final ‘Average Rating’ was determined by taking the mean of all available ratings.
The result? A definitive list of the best NHL arenas according to those who matter most: the fans.
To make it easy for you to follow along with our analysis, here’s a detailed breakdown of the fan ratings for each NHL arena:
| Team | Arena | Average Rating | Google Rating | Facebook Rating | TripAdvisor Rating | Yelp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Penguins | PPG Paints Arena | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4.5 | 4 |
| Chicago Blackhawks | United Center | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4 |
| Nashville Predators | Bridgestone Arena | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4 |
| New York Rangers | Madison Square Garden | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4 |
| Dallas Stars | American Airlines Center | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4 |
| Montreal Canadiens | Bell Centre | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4 |
| Minnesota Wild | Xcel Energy Center | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | Nationwide Arena | 4.4 | 4.7 | N/A | 4.5 | 4 |
| Los Angeles Kings | Crypto.com Arena | 4.4 | 4.7 | N/A | 4.5 | 4 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Amalie Arena | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Scotiabank Arena | 4.3 | 4.5 | N/A | 4.5 | 4 |
| Buffalo Sabres | KeyBank Center | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4 |
| San Jose Sharks | SAP Center | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4 | 4 |
| Boston Bruins | TD Garden | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Colorado Avalanche | Ball Arena | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | T-Mobile Arena | 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Anaheim Ducks | Honda Center | 4.2 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Vancouver Canucks | Rogers Arena | 4.2 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | PNC Arena | 4.2 | 4.5 | N/A | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| New York Islanders | Barclays Center | 4.1 | 4.5 | 3.9 | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| St. Louis Blues | Enterprise Center | 4.1 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 4 | 3.5 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | Wells Fargo Center | 4.1 | 4.6 | 4.2 | 4 | 3.5 |
| Florida Panthers | FLA Live Arena | 4.1 | 4.6 | 4.1 | 4 | 3.5 |
| Washington Capitals | Capital One Arena | 4.1 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4 | 3.5 |
| Arizona Coyotes | Mullett Arena | 4.0 | 4.6 | N/A | 4 | 3.5 |
| Detroit Red Wings | Little Caesars Arena | 4.0 | 4.6 | N/A | 4 | 3.5 |
| New Jersey Devils | Prudential Center | 4.0 | 4.5 | N/A | 4 | 3.5 |
| Edmonton Oilers | Rogers Place | 3.9 | 4.4 | 3.7 | 4 | 3.5 |
| Calgary Flames | Scotiabank Saddledome | 3.9 | 4.2 | 3.9 | 4 | 3.5 |
| Winnipeg Jets | Canada Life Centre | 3.8 | 4.5 | N/A | 4 | 3 |
| Seattle Kracken | Climate Pledge Arena | 3.8 | 4.5 | 3.8 | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Ottawa Senators | Canadian Tire Centre | 3.8 | 4.2 | 3.9 | 4 | 3 |
A Four-Way Tie at the Top
Stealing the spotlight with a commanding average rating of 4.5 are the PPG Paints Arena, United Center, Bridgestone Arena, and Madison Square Garden.
These venues, home to the Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, and New York Rangers respectively, have set the bar high in terms of fan experience.
PPG Paints Arena: The Pride of Pittsburgh
As the home of the Pittsburgh Penguins, the PPG Paints Arena has claimed its spot at the pinnacle of NHL arenas.
Nestled in the heart of Pittsburgh, the PPG Paints Arena not only hosts high-stakes games but also serves as a hub of community engagement and local pride.
Fans praise its modern design, wide array of dining options, and overall top-notch game day experience, making it a worthy leader in the ranking.
United Center: Chicago’s Beating Heart
Equally impressive is the United Center, the beloved home base for the Chicago Blackhawks.
It stands as a testament to the city’s deep-rooted love for hockey. Fans appreciate the comprehensive amenities, exciting game-day atmosphere, and a sense of history that reverberates throughout the venue.
The United Center proves that the fan experience is as significant as the game itself.
Bridgestone Arena: Nashville’s Hub of Hockey
In Nashville, the Bridgestone Arena brings together fans of the Predators in a union of community spirit and sport.
Fans applaud the venue’s excellent sightlines, vibrant energy, and its commitment to providing a top-tier game day experience, justifying its 4.5 average rating.
Madison Square Garden: Where History and Hockey Collide
The iconic Madison Square Garden, home to the New York Rangers, blends historical significance with a modern fan experience.
Lauded for its ambience, central location, and rich history, ‘The Garden’ holds a special place in the hearts of hockey fans, making it one of the top-rated NHL arenas.
Stepping Up The Game: Other High-Scoring Arenas
Just behind the leading pack, a set of arenas boast a solid average rating of 4.4.
These venues, namely American Airlines Center, Bell Centre, Xcel Energy Center, Nationwide Arena, Crypto.com Arena, and Amalie Arena, show how their respective teams – Dallas Stars, Montreal Canadiens, Minnesota Wild, Columbus Blue Jackets, Los Angeles Kings, and Tampa Bay Lightning – ensure a top-quality experience for their fans.
American Airlines Center: Shining Star of Dallas
In Dallas, the American Airlines Center, home to the Dallas Stars, captivates fans with its modern architecture, seamless accessibility, and wide variety of food and beverage options.
The atmosphere on game nights is described as electric, proving that everything really is bigger in Texas, including the fan experience.
Bell Centre: The Heart of Hockey in Montreal
The Bell Centre, hosting the Montreal Canadiens, maintains the city’s reputation as a hockey hotbed.
It combines an intimate atmosphere with first-class facilities, and its downtown location makes it a vibrant hub on game days.
The fans’ glowing reviews reflect their appreciation for these attributes.
Xcel Energy Center: Powering the Spirit in Minnesota
The Xcel Energy Center in Minnesota, the base for the Minnesota Wild, has carved out its niche with superb sightlines, fan-friendly amenities, and the intense energy during games.
It’s no surprise that the fans’ reviews radiate a strong sense of satisfaction with their overall experience.
In Summary
Attending an NHL game is an experience that transcends the game itself. It’s an event that unites communities, sparks city-wide excitement, and creates memories that last a lifetime.
The venues, as evidenced by the fan reviews, play a crucial role in shaping this experience.
From top-tier amenities and diverse food offerings to prime locations and electrifying atmospheres, these arenas stand as more than just physical structures; they’re central to the fan experience.
Each arena is unique, reflecting the character of its home team and the spirit of the city it’s in.
Some win fans over with their historic charm, others with their state-of-the-art facilities, and many with their sheer love for the sport.
They’re the heart of the action, the stage for the spectacle, and in many ways, the unsung heroes of professional hockey.
As fans, the experiences we seek stretch far beyond the final whistle. And as this ranking reveals, the best NHL arenas know how to deliver just that – an unforgettable experience, on and off the ice.
Whether you’re a lifelong hockey enthusiast or a newbie to the sport, one thing’s for sure: there’s no experience quite like cheering on your team in one of these top-rated arenas.
Data collected on July 3, 2023.
James is a big time NBA Golden State follower, who makes sure to catch games when he's in the area. He likes to follow International Soccer, with an interest in small town soccer club, Blackburn Rovers located in the North on the UK.