2024’s Most Expensive Arenas to Watch an NHL Game: A Quick Guide
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Red Dog The NHL is among the world’s most-watched sports events, with 22.4 million total arena attendance for the last two seasons. The average ticket costs an individual around $80 to $350.
Getting up close and personal with your favorite athlete and state-of-the-art facilities make up the ticket prices. Ticket sales are the players and arena’s bread and butter, especially in the NHL.
If you plan to watch NHL games someday, read on to find out the most expensive NHL arenas to watch at, their ticket prices, and other additional costs.
Highlights of the Article
- The NHL games saw a 7.9% increase in attendance after the COVID-19 pandemic.
- There are 32 NHL teams so far, and 7 of them are from Canada.
- Chicago Blackhawks has the largest NHL fanbase.
- The top 10 NHL teams have more or less a million devoted fans.
- The American Airlines Center is the most expensive arena to build.
- The Air Canada Centre is the priciest NHL game to watch.
- Staples Center was renamed to Crypto.com Arena in 2018.
- The Backstreet Boys Concert is the most attended event in Wells Fargo Center.
- United Center is the largest arena in the NBA and the second largest in the NHL.
- Madison Square Garden is known for being “The World’s Most Famous Arena.”
The Most Expensive NHL Arena to Watch At
NHL teams have some of the biggest fanbases. Chicago Blackhawks, for instance, has amassed 2.7 million fans to date, making them the NHL team with the largest fanbase.
With this number of crowds supporting and watching the NHL games, it is no wonder a stadium or an arena is needed, not to mention the technicalities and the demands for a hockey game to be organized.
Here are some of the most expensive NHL arenas to watch at this 2023:
| Arena | Location | Construction Cost | Year Built | Seating Capacity |
| American Airlines Center | 2500 Victory Avenue Dallas, Texas 75219 | $420 million | 2001 | 18,000-20,000 |
| Staples Center | 1111 S. Figueroa Street Los Angeles, CA 90015 | $375 million | 1999 | 18,000-20,000 |
| Prudential Center | 25 Lafayette St Newark, NJ 07102 | $375 million | 2008 | 16,000 |
| PPG Paints Arena | 1001 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 | $321 million | 2010 | 14,000-19,000 |
| Bell Center | 1909 Avenue des Canadiens-de-Montréal Montréal, Québec H3B 4C9 | $270 million | 1996 | 15,000-21,000 |
1. American Airlines Center
Owner: City of Dallas
Team: Dallas Stars
Ticket Prices for NHL: $21-$489.27
Biggest Events Hosted:
- 2007 NHL All-Star Game
- 2008 NHL Western Conference Semifinals Game 6
- 2006 NBA Finals
- 2011 NBA Finals
- 2017 Women’s Final Four
Fast Facts:
- AAC will undergo a $15 million worth of major renovation in 2023. Including:
- Changing all 19,134 seats that are spill, stain, and cut resistant
- Four (4) screens with 360-degree video capability that increases viewing capacity to 55%
- Roof replacement
- Materials used in building AAC include brick, limestone, and granite with signature arches
- American Airlines Center is still the most expensive arena in NBA and NHL history
2. Staples Center
Owner: Anschutz Entertainment Group
Team: Los Angeles Kings
Ticket Prices for NHL: $15-$738
Biggest Events Hosted:
- 2004 and 2011 NBA All-Star Weekends
- 2002 NHL All-Star Game
- 2000 Democratic National Convention
- 2011 World Figure Skating Championships
- Grammy Awards
Fast Facts:
- Staples Center was renamed Crypto.com Arena in 2018. Crypto.com bought the naming rights for $700 million, the biggest in any sports deal in history.
- Staples was the first arena to receive an ISO 14001 certification in 2010 for its environment-friendly facilities and equipment.
3. Prudential Center
Owner: Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE)
Team: New Jersey Devils
Ticket Prices for NHL: $24-$665
Biggest Events Hosted:
- All Nets, Devils, and Seton Hall games
- NCAA East Regional Men’s Basketball Semifinals and Finals
Fast Facts:
- Fondly called “The Rock,” Prudential Center has the first Grammy Museum, featuring the works of Grammy-winning artists like Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen, and more.
- Since it opened, Prudential Center has been consistently included in the Top 10 Best US Arena by Pollstar and Billboard.
4. PPG Paints Arena
Owner: Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County
Team: Pittsburgh Penguins
Ticket Prices for NHL: $28-$423
Biggest Events Hosted:
- 2013 Frozen Four
- 2014 WWE Royal Rumble
Fast Facts:
- When it first opened, Paul McCartney was the first-ever musician to hold a concert in the arena.
- Their amenities include
- 1,950 center club seats with the best sightliness.
- Top-of-the-line 236 Loge Box Seats.
- Wide seats, up to 24 inches, and more legroom – the most comfortable in NHL
- As of June 2023, renovations are ongoing with a $30 million budget, including:
- Two (2) new bunker suites at ice level
- All-inclusive VIP event-level club
- 50×33 foot state-of-the-art center-hung scoreboard allows fans to track the duration a player has been on the ice, skating speed, and shot velocity.
5. Bell Center
Owner: Molson family
Team: Montreal Canadiens
Ticket Prices for NHL: $80-$100
Biggest Events Hosted:
- 2004 World Cup of Hockey
- 2009 NHL All-Star Game
- 2009 NHL Entry Draft
- 2021 Stanley Cup Finals
- 2022 NHL Entry Draft
Fast Facts:
- Celine Dion still holds the record with the most concerts held at Bell Center, with 50 performances from 1996 until 2020.
- Amenities include:
- Access for persons with restricted physical ability
- Wi-Fi
- First Aid Room
- Referees’ room
- Media room
- Athlete changing room
- VIP area
- Warm-up zone
- Restaurant on site and more
These arenas have witnessed the most prominent events the world has ever seen, particularly the NHL games.
For some, it’s just a venue, but for athletes and celebrities, it’s their home and a testament to their hard work and popularity.
6. Air Canada Centre
Now renamed Scotiabank Arena, Air Canada Centre took 1 million hours to build on a $288 million construction budget.
| Owner: | Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment |
| Year Built: | 1997 |
| Construction Cost: | $288 million |
| Seating Capacity: | 18,000 – 21,000 |
| Biggest NHL Game Attendance: | 19,744 |
| Amenities and Facilities: |
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7. Madison Square Garden
MSG, or “The World’s Most Famous Arena,” has witnessed iconic events like “The Fight of the Century” in 1971 between two of the greatest Boxers in history, Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.
Any athlete or musician who has ever played or performed in Madison Square Garden considers it one, if not the ultimate highlight of their career.
| Owner: | Sphere Entertainment Co. |
| Year Built: | 1968 |
| Construction Cost: | $200 million |
| Seating Capacity: | 19,500 |
| Biggest NHL Game Attendance: | 18,191 |
| Amenities and Facilities: |
Premium Membership Facilities:
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8. Rogers Arena
Rogers Arena is known for having the largest NHL game scoreboard, measuring 28 feet high by 49.5 feet wide.
The Canadian rock band Bryan Adams performed during its inaugural event in 1995. Popular TV series like “Arrow” and the sports movie “Blades of Glory” had shot some of their scenes in the said arena.
| Owner: | Aquilini Investment Group |
| Year Built: | 1995 |
| Construction Cost: | $265 million |
| Seating Capacity: | 19,700 |
| Biggest NHL Game Attendance: | 19,770 |
| Amenities and Facilities: |
Premium Membership Facilities
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9. United Center
United Center is the largest arena in the United States in the NBA and the second largest in NHL. Since its opening in 1994, the stadium has hosted 200 events with 40 million attendees.
| Owner: | William Wirtz and Jerry Reinsdorf |
| Year Built: | 1994 |
| Construction Cost: | $175 million |
| Seating Capacity: | 23,500 |
| Biggest NHL Game Attendance: | 22,859 |
| Amenities and Facilities: |
Premium Membership Facilities:
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10. Bell MTS Center
The construction of Bell MTS Center only took a year to finish. It has even hosted the second season of the Canadian franchise of “The Amazing Race.”
| Owner: | True North Sports + Entertainment |
| Year Built: | 2004 |
| Construction Cost: | $133.5 million |
| Seating Capacity: | 16,345 |
| Biggest NHL Game Attendance: | 15,794 |
| Amenities and Facilities: |
Premium Membership Facilities:
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11. Capital One Arena
With over 4,000 events hosted and 47 million attendees, there’s no doubt that Capital One Arena makes it to the list of the world’s busiest arenas.
Two events are held annually at this arena: The Harlem Globetrotters and The Washington International Horse Show.
| Owner: | Monumental Sports & Entertainment and Ted Leonsis |
| Year Built: | 1997 |
| Construction Cost: | $260 million |
| Seating Capacity: | 20,356 |
| Biggest NHL Game Attendance: | 18,774 |
| Amenities and Facilities: |
Premium Membership Facilities:
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12. TD Garden
One notable fact about the TD Garden is the 17 titles of the NBA team, Boston Celtics. The team had eight straight titles at TD, an unbreakable record that made them one of the greatest teams ever.
| Owner: | Delaware North |
| Year Built: | 1995 |
| Construction Cost: | $160 million |
| Seating Capacity: | 19,580 |
| Biggest NHL Game Attendance: | 17,850 |
| Amenities and Facilities: |
Premium Membership Facilities:
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13. Wells Fargo Center
The Game Six Finals match-up between the Philadelphia Flyers and Chicago Blackhawks last June 9, 2010 for the Stanley Cup drew the largest crowd for a hockey match in Wells Fargo Center.
| Owner: | Comcast Spectacor |
| Year Built: | 1996 |
| Construction Cost: | $210 million |
| Seating Capacity: | 21,000 |
| Biggest NHL Game Attendance: | 19,839 |
| Amenities and Facilities: |
Premium Membership Facilities:
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14. Staples Center
Staples Center is known for many things, but one thing stood out: “The House That Kobe Bryant Built.” It’s a tribute to two of the best games that the late NBA superstar, Kobe Bryant, had in his career.
| Owner: | Anschutz Entertainment Group |
| Year Built: | 1999 |
| Construction Cost: | $375 million |
| Seating Capacity: | 18,000-20,000 |
| Biggest NHL Game Attendance: | 19,017 |
| Amenities and Facilities: |
Premium Memberships Inclusions:
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15. Bell Centre
It wasn’t until 2008 that UFC 83 first held the mixed martial arts event in Bell Centre. This marked the first UFC event ever conducted in Canada.
| Owner: | Molson family |
| Year Built: | 1996 |
| Construction Cost: | $270 million |
| Seating Capacity: | 15,000-21,000 |
| Biggest NHL Game Attendance: | 22,288 |
| Amenities and Facilities: |
Premium Membership Facilities:
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Priciest NHL Games to Watch
There are several venues worldwide where you can watch NHL games. In doing so, you pay for the experience, the athlete, and the forum. Hence, their expensive ticket cost.
Most of the biggest Hockey arenas are located in the US and Canada, as the sport is most popular in these areas.
Here are the priciest NHL games to watch to help you decide which ones are worth your time and money:
| Venue | Game/Team To Watch | Ticket Price | Inclusion of Ticket Fees |
| Air Canada Centre | Toronto Maple Leafs | $275-$350 | Food: $7-$15 Drinks: $11-$17 Parking Fees: $6 (20 minutes or less) $15 (12 hours) $24 (24 hours) |
| Madison Square Garden | New York Rangers | $275-$335 | Food: $7-$10 Drinks: $12-$20 Parking Fee: $40-$60 |
| Rogers Arena | Vancouver Canucks | $260-$322 | Food: $15-$20 Drinks: $14-$20 Parking Fee: $24 |
| United Center | Chicago Blackhawks | $269-$315 | Food: $9-$15 Drinks: $8-$10 Parking Fee: $24 |
| Bell MTS Center | Winnipeg Jets | $238-$291 | Food: $10-$15 Drinks: $4-$8 Parking Fee: $15 |
| Capital One Arena | Washington Capitals | $220-$272 | Food: $3-$15 Drinks: $5-$10 Parking Fee: $27 |
| TD Garden | Boston Bruins | $166-$250 | Food: $5-$20 Drinks: $10-$15 Parking Fee: $48 |
| Wells Fargo Center | Philadelphia Flyers | $189-$243 | Food: $5-$10 Drinks: $8-$11 Parking Fee: $33 |
| Staples Center | Los Angeles Kings | $175-$230 | Food: $10-$15 Drinks: $10-$15 Parking Fee: $25 |
| Bell Centre | Montreal Canadiens | $181-$220 | Food: $4-$6 Drinks: $7-$14 Parking Fee: $13.50 |
The Wrap-Up
NHL players’ hard work and dedication to their craft are unmatched. Arenas witness all the blood, sweat, and tears they have poured out to give their fans and foes a match to remember.
Spectators can watch from the comfort of their homes. The ticket and food costs alone are some things that one needs to consider to watch the game live in the arena.
Die-hard fans would do everything to secure that ticket regardless of price. Watching the action unfold before your eyes and cheering for your team with thousands of crowds remains priceless.
FAQs
What is the cheapest arena to watch an NHL game?
The FLA Live Arena is the cheapest arena to watch an NHL game.
Who has the biggest NHL stadium?
The Montreal Canadiens in Bell Centre holds the biggest NHL stadium record with 21,301 seating capacity.
Which NHL team has the largest fanbase?
The Chicago Blackhawks has the biggest fanbase in NHL, with 2.7 million fans based on game attendance and social media presence.
What are the least desirable NHL cities for players?
Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, and Toronto are the least desirable NHL cities for players.
How to get NHL for free?
You can get NHL for free by streaming it online through various streaming sites such as NHLBite, NHL Live Stream, NHL66, Buffstreams, and more.
Meet the Author
Caryl has a keen interest in technology and writing. Her passion for writing began during her research career, which eventually led her to start blogging on a blockchain-based platform. In her spare time, you can find her holding a book or paintbrush or frequenting coffee shops where she studies and savors her Matcha Latte.