Bell Centre
“The Phone Booth”
NHL

Bell Centre

Montreal Canadiens

1909 Av. des Canadiens-de-Montréal Montréal, QC H3B 2S2

A Guide to Bell Centre

Steeped in unmatched hockey history, the Bell Centre stands as the crown jewel of downtown Montreal and the ultimate cathedral for the sport. Home to the Montreal Canadiens the most storied franchise in NHL history with a record 24 Stanley Cup championships. This legendary arena channels the deep, bilingual passion of a city whose identity is completely intertwined with the team. Situated just steps from vibrant commercial hubs and nightlife, it offers an electric, European style game-day atmosphere that is widely considered the most intense and captivating in North America.

Getting to the Arena

  • Driving & Parking
    From Autoroute 720 (Ville-Marie), take the Lucien-L'Allier exit. Parking garages near the arena.
  • Public Transit
    The STM Metro serves Lucien-L'Allier station (Orange Line), directly adjacent to the arena, and Bonaventure station (Orange Line), a 5-minute walk. The Metro is the best way to get to a game.
    • The REM Light Rail System
      The STM Metro is the absolute best way to get to a game. Take the Orange Line directly to Lucien-L'Allier station (connected to the arena) or Bonaventure station (a 5-minute walk through the Underground City). If you are coming from the South Shore or the West Island, the REM light rail network connects directly to downtown's Gare Centrale, allowing you to walk indoors straight to the game. The Vaudreuil-Hudson, Saint-Jérôme, and Candiac lines provide seamless, direct arena access for suburban fans.
    • Metro Bus Line
      Take bus line 150, 24, 55, or 747 to the downtown core. Exit at René-Lévesque / Drummond or René-Lévesque / de la Montagne, which leave you just a 3- to 4-minute walk from the Bell Centre.
  • Rideshare
    Uber and Lyft have strictly enforced, geo-fenced pickup zones on de la Montagne and Saint-Antoine. Walk a few blocks north to Sainte-Catherine street after the final horn for a much faster and cheaper pickup.

Pregame Festivities

Downtown Montreal's bar and restaurant scene is world-class, with Sainte-Catherine street, Crescent Street, and the Old Port all within walking distance.

Bars & Restaurants

  • An Irish pub on Crescent Street, about a 5-minute walk from the arena. Live Celtic music, a warm atmosphere, and a game-night crowd of Habs fans. A Crescent Street institution.
  • A pub near the arena popular with Habs fans for pregame drinks and standard pub fare.
  • A craft brewery pub on Crescent Street brewing their own beers and serving elevated pub fare. The multi-level space with a rooftop terrace is a quality pregame option.
  • A Montreal deli institution known for their smoked meat sandwiches — Montreal's answer to New York's pastrami. Piled high on rye bread with mustard, it's a Montreal essential.
  • A rotisserie chicken restaurant near the arena offering Portuguese-style chicken — Montreal has a vibrant Portuguese community and the chicken is outstanding.
  • A craft brewery and bar on Saint-Denis offering an enormous selection of Quebec microbrews. Montreal's craft beer scene is exceptional, and this is one of the best spots to explore it.

Neighborhood Attractions

  • A stunning Gothic Revival church in Old Montreal with a breathtaking interior of blue and gold. About a 15-minute walk from the arena.
  • A vast network of underground pedestrian tunnels connecting shopping centers, metro stations, hotels, and office buildings. The largest underground complex in the world. Portions are accessible from near the arena.
  • Montreal's main commercial street, running east-west through downtown. Shopping, restaurants, bars, and nightlife. Steps from the arena.
  • The mountain that gives Montreal its name, about 15 minutes from the arena. The lookout at the top offers panoramic views of the city. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (of Central Park fame).
  • The historic waterfront district along the St. Lawrence River, about 15 minutes from the arena. Cobblestone streets, galleries, restaurants, and seasonal attractions.

Monuments & Unique Features

  • The Statues
    • Howie Morenz
    • Maurice "Rocket" Richard
    • Jean Béliveau
    • Guy Lafleur
  • The Logo Monument
    There is a massive, prominent 3D sculpture of the iconic red, white, and blue Canadiens "CH" crest resting on a concrete base right in the plaza a major fan photo spot.
  • Retired Number Plaques
    • #1 Jacques Plante
    • #2 Doug Harvey
    • #3 Émile "Butch" Bouchard
    • #4 Jean Béliveau
    • #5 Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion & Guy Lapointe
    • #7 Howie Morenz
    • #9 Maurice "Rocket" Richard
    • #10 Guy Lafleur
    • #12 Dickie Moore & Yvan Cournoyer
    • #16 Elmer Lach & Henri Richard
    • #18 Serge Savard
    • #19 Larry Robinson
    • #23 Bob Gainey
    • #29 Ken Dryden
    • #33 Patrick Roy
  • Exterior Historic Plaques
    In mid-March 2026, the team unveiled two brand new historic plaques on the exterior facade of the Bell Centre. One commemorates the first-ever recorded indoor game of organized hockey played in Montreal in 1875, and the other honors Maurice Richard's official provincial designation as a historic figure.
  • Place des Canadiens Plaza:
    Located right outside the arena, this public square is the ultimate pregame fan hub. It features four stunning bronze statues of Canadiens legends: Maurice "Rocket" Richard, Jean Béliveau, Howie Morenz, and Guy Lafleur.
  • Stanley Cup Banners
    • Early Years
      (Pre-NHL & Early NHL): 1916, 1924, 1930, 1931
    • Original Six Era
      1944, 1946, 1953, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960
    • Dynasties & Beyond
      1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1986, 1993

Seating & Special Sections

  • Club Desjardins
    200-Level: Widely considered the best value-meets-luxury option in the NHL, this level wraps entirely around the arena’s mid-section. Every ticket includes free, unlimited food, snacks, and non-alcoholic drinks including fresh hot dogs, smoked meat, pizza, and popcorn from private, shorter-line concessions. To watch the Canadiens attack twice, target sections 214–224.
  • Air Canada Signature Club
    Club Level: The apex of luxury at the Bell Centre, this ultra exclusive 200 seat enclave is located behind the net on the club level. Guests enjoy executive style armchair seating and access to a private lounge complete with high-end gourmet culinary stations and a fully complimentary open bar.
  • Ice-Level Premium Lounges
    La Voûte CIBC & Hartland-Molson Lounge: Positioned directly at floor level just steps from the ice, these exclusive spaces offer private bars, tailored menus, private coat checks, and rapid arena entrances. During concerts, La Voûte transforms into a private refuge for floor ticket holders to escape main concourse lines.
  • Luxury Suites
    Levels 3 & 5: Executive suites accommodate groups of 12 to 40, featuring private theater-style balcony seating right above the lower bowl paired with interior lounges, private attendants, and customizable catering. Level 3 suites sit noticeably closer to the action.
  • The Family Zone
    Sections 426–430: Sponsored by La Petite Bretonne, this upper-bowl zone behind the net is curated specifically for families. It provides the arena's most budget-friendly tickets alongside live animations, face painting, and a kid-friendly atmosphere.
  • The Upper Bowl Passion
    300/400 Level: Often called the "Reds" 100 level, "Whites" 300 level, and "Blues" 400 level by locals based on the historical seat colors, the upper sections are fiercely loud. Because it is the largest capacity arena in the NHL, the sheer wall of noise generated from the 300 and 400 levels during a rivalry game is an experience all its own.

Concessions

  • Signature Items
    Poutine (cheese curds, gravy, fries) is the Quebec classic. Montreal smoked meat sandwiches and tourtière (meat pie) bring local flavor. Steamé hot dogs (Montreal-style steamed dogs) are a tradition.
  • HABSburger
    100-Level Concourse via Gates 4 and 10: The arena's premier destination for elevated, gourmet smash-style hamburgers and fries.
  • HABSdog:
    100-Level Concourse via Gates 4 and 10: A specialized counter serving the Bell Centre's signature, tradition-steeped hot dogs and loaded sausages.
  • Habs Déli
    100-Level Concourse via Gates 4 and 10: Slicing up classic, thick-cut Montreal smoked meat sandwiches and hot subs.
  • Pizza Pizza Trattoria
    100-Level Concourse via Gates 4 and 10: Offers quick-service, artisan-style thin-crust pizzas baked fresh for fast intermission pick-ups.
  • Mito
    100-Level Concourse via Gates 4 and 10: A fresh, healthy alternative offering made-to-order sushi rolls and vibrant poke bowls.
  • CHOPA
    100-Level Concourse via Gates 4 and 10: A Mediterranean counter serving up seasoned protein, rice, and fresh veggie bowls served with warm pita bread.
  • Chquick
    100-Level Concourse via Gates 4 and 10: The designated destination for crispy chicken tenders, fries, and specialized chicken sandwiches.
  • Le Hot de MTL
    Section 110, 114, 122, 305, 323, 331: The legendary, fast-moving stands dedicated entirely to Montreal's beloved steamé steamed hot dogs, smoked sausages, and soft drinks.
  • Déli Montréal
    Section 107, 117, 314: Pocket locations serving up the arena's famous quick-service Montreal smoked meat sandwiches and classic French fries.
  • La Classique
    Section 102, 112, 124, 302, 310, 326: The ultimate comfort-food stops serving classic Quebec poutine french fries with squeaky cheese curds and hot gravy, crispy chicken tenders, and warm nachos.
  • Tim Hortons
    Section 115, 322: Fully operational stadium-sized counters serving standard Canadian coffee, hot chocolate, donuts, and Timbits.
  • Canti Osteria & Bar
    Accessible on the 100-Level Concourse near Section 121 (or via its street entrance at 1275 Saint-Antoine Street West). A lively resto-bar featuring industrial decor that specializes in Italian comfort food like handmade pastas and fresh focaccia alongside premium burgers and steaks.
  • Mythik & Buvette Mythik
    Accessible via the VIP Entrance in the Place des Canadiens or directly inside from the concourse at Gate 2. A sleek lounge with a speakeasy ambiance focusing on market-to-table seasonal cuisine, curated shareable plates, an extensive 800-bottle wine list, and a live on-site DJ.
  • 9-4-10 Steakhouse
    Located on the 200-Level / Premium Suite Floor. An upscale, sophisticated dining room tailored for meat lovers, serving high-end cuts of steak with classic sides and an elite wine list.
  • La Cage Brasserie Sportive
    Situated in the main arena complex, with a direct interior entrance accessible from the 100-Level concourse near Section 105. A massive, high-energy sports bar featuring giant screens, local pub fare (wings, burgers, poutines), and an extensive local draft beer list.
  • La Mise au Jeu
    Tucked away on the Private Club Level. The historic, private, members-only club operating since 1967, featuring high-end buffet culinary stations tailored for pre-game corporate dining.

Arena Information

Capacity
21,105
Avg Attendance
20,983
Opened
1996
Last Renovated
2025
Architect
LeMay & Associate, LLC; LeMoyne Lapointe Magne
Construction Cost
$270 million

Notable Events

Maurice "Rocket" Richard. The first player to score 50 goals in 50 games (1945), Richard was more than a hockey player, he was a symbol of French-Canadian pride. The 1955 "Richard Riot" after his suspension demonstrated how deeply he was intertwined with Quebec's identity.
The Dynasty years: The Canadiens won five consecutive Cups from 1956-1960 and four consecutive from 1976-1979. The latter team considered by many the greatest in hockey history.
First Game March 16, 1996: The Canadiens played their inaugural game at the arena, securing a 4-2 victory against the New York Rangers, with Vincent Damphousse scoring the first goal in the building.

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