The NHL has some of the oldest and most memorable stadiums in professional sports. They are also one of the few venues to be called "arenas."
In this article, we're going to get right to the point and go over every single National Hockey League arena in detail, providing the capacities, the teams that play in it, along with historical facts and things you may not have known.
With that said, let's waste no time and get right to the point.
Remember, arena openings are limited to the year they were opened, and capacities are approximated.
Table of Contents
A comprehensive guide on the NHL arenas
TD Garden
Location:Boston, Massachusetts
Team(s):Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics
Opened:1995
Capacity:17,500
Sponsor:Toronto Dominion Bank, a major Canadian financial institution
Although the TD Garden doesn't quite have the history of the building it replaced, the Boston Gardens, it is quickly rewriting history books with the Bruin's dominance in the National Hockey League over the last decade.
The building opened in 1995 after the Boston Garden had been home to the Bruins for 67 years. Although the Gardens were relatively outdated, many fans felt nostalgic about the arena, so the change had mixed reactions.
This is where the arena gets its name, having previously been called the FleetCenter.
Although the Stanley Cup was not awarded in the building, the Boston Bruins would play numerous games here during their cup victory in the 2010-2011 season.
Scotiabank Arena
Location:Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Team(s):Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors
Opened:1999
Capacity:18,800
Sponsor:Scotiabank, a major Canadian financial institution
Much like TD Gardens, the Scotiabank Arena replaced Maple Leaf Gardens, one of the most iconic sports arenas in history. The arena is home to the Leafs and Raptors, owned by Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, often called MLSE.
Prior to Scotia getting the naming rights in 2017, the arena was called the Air Canada Center. It will likely stick as the Scotiabank Arena for quite some time, as the bank signed a multi-decade agreement in 2017.
Because of the Maple Leaf's cup drought and overall success in the playoffs lacking over the last 25 years, there haven't been many notable games played in Scotiabank Arena. However, the team seems ready to challenge for a Stanley Cup, and it will undoubtedly see some impactful games in the future.
The arena is one of the more expensive ones to attend in the entire league.
Bell Centre
Location:Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Team(s):Montreal Canadiens
Opened:1996
Capacity:21,302
Sponsor:BCE, a major telecom company in Canada
The Montreal Canadiens are one of the most storied franchises in NHL history, and the Bell Centre is no different, despite it only being around since 1996. The arena has the largest capacity of any arena in the National Hockey League, and it replaced the Montreal Forum, which was the arena the Canadiens played in for 70 years before its opening.
The arena is well known for being one of the loudest in the league and having the highest energy level in terms of the fans and atmosphere.
Originally named the Molson Center, Bell took the naming rights in 2002 and has held it since. One of the most significant events in the building took place when the Montreal Canadiens made a run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2021.
However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the arena was only allowed to be filled to 50% capacity. The Canadians would lose that series to the Tampa Bay Lightning 4 games to 1.
Amalie Arena
Location:Tampa Bay, Florida
Team(s):Tampa Bay Lightning
Opened:1996
Capacity:19,000
Sponsor:Amalie Oil Company, a major oil producer in Tampa
The Amalie Arena is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning and was designed by the same people who produced the Boston Gardens for the Bruins. The arena is not new, nor is it old, being founded in 1996.
The arena has undergone numerous name changes, from the Ice Palace to the St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa Bay Times Forum, and the Amalie Arena since 2014.
One of the most unique aspects of this arena is its installed Tesla coils that produce actual lightning.
Plenty of notable Stanley Cup games have been played in Amalie, with the Lightning winning the Cup in 2004, 2020, and 2021. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the team would win the Cup in the bubble situation in Edmonton, Alberta, in 2020.
BB&T Center
Location:Sunrise, Florida
Team(s):Florida Panthers
Opened:1998
Capacity:19,250
Sponsor:BB&T, a US financial institution
The BB&T Center is home to the Florida Panthers, who hold the name of the state despite there being two teams from Florida, the Panthers and the Lightning. Although the Panthers have struggled in their 30+ year history in the National Hockey League, the arena is still home to some notable moments.
The first was the Panther's Cinderella run to the Cup finals in the mid-1990s. They would go on to lose to the Colorado Avalanche. The second would be another Cinderella story in 2023, where the Panthers would barely make the playoffs and go on to make a deep run to the Stanley Cup Finals, only to lose to the Vegas Golden Knights.
The building is well known for having toy rats thrown on the ice, a homage to a Panthers player killing a rat in the dressing room with his stick and then scoring a multi-goal game with that stick.
Little Caesars Arena
Location:Detroit, Michigan
Team(s):Detroit Redwings, Detroit Pistons
Opened:2017
Capacity:19,515
Sponsor:Little Caesars, a large pizza chain in North America
There are very few arenas today that are home to both an NBA team and an NHL team, primarily because they play their seasons simultaneously, and scheduling can be difficult. However, the Detroit Red Wings and Little Caesars Arena make it work with the Detroit Pistons of the NBA.
The arena is relatively new, having been opened in 2017. Before this, the Red Wings played at one of the more notable NHL stadiums, the Joe Louis Arena. It was opened in 1979 and was named after the heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis.
The sponsor, Little Caesars, is owned by the Ilitch's, who also owns the Detroit Redwings.
KeyBank Center
Location:Buffalo, New York
Team(s):Buffalo Sabres
Opened:1996
Capacity:19,070
Sponsor:Keybank, which is a major bank based in Cleveland.
The KeyBank center is home to the Buffalo Sabres, which, despite consistent struggles, have had a very dedicated fanbase for many years.
The arena has gone through multiple names, including the Marine Midland Arena, HSBC Arena, First Niagra Center, and the KeyBank Center since 2016.
It is also home to one of the most controversial goals in NHL history, where the Sabres would lose the Stanley Cup to the Dallas Stars off of a goal in which Brett Hull's skate was in the crease. At the time, there were rules that fans believed should have resulted in the goal being waived off.
Canadian Tire Centre
Location:Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Team(s):Ottawa Senators
Opened:1996
Capacity:18,600
Sponsor:Canadian Tire, a popular Canadian retail store
The Canadian Tire Center is home to one of Canada's longest-standing NHL franchises, the Ottawa Senators. Although the Senators would cease to exist for a long period, their roots date back to the early 1900s. They would come back into the league as an expansion franchise in 1992.
Canadian Tire owns the naming rights to the arena. It is a large, publicly traded Canadian retailer that primarily focuses on home improvement, appliance products, and automobile repairs.
It has had many names over the years, including the original name, the Palladium. It then became the Corel Centre, Scotiabank Place, and now the Canadian Tire Center.
The Ottawa Senators would make a single run to the Stanley Cup Final in this building, losing to the Anaheim Ducks in 2007.
Capital One Arena
Location:Washington, DC.
Team(s):Washington Capital and Washington Wizards
Opened:1997
Capacity:18,500
Sponsor:Capital One, a popular credit card company in the United States
Home to both the Capitals and Wizards, the Capital One Arena has been around for over 25 years. It has even been home to a Stanley Cup victory by the Washington Capitals in 2018.
The arena features a full 360-degree continuous-view video screen. It is one of the largest in professional sports.
When the building was first opened, it was named the MCI Center. It then transitioned to the Verizon Center in 2006, named after a popular US telecom company, before becoming the Capital One arena in 2017.
PPG Paints Arena
Location:Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Team(s):Pittsburgh Penguins
Opened:2010
Capacity:18,387
Sponsor:PPG Industries, a paint and manufacturing company
Before the PPG Paints Arena was built in 2010, the Penguins played in one of the most outdated arenas in the league, the Mellon Arena. You could argue that the Penguins were the NHL team that needed a new arena the most, as Mellon was built in 1961.
Despite being only 13 years old, the arena has hosted two Stanley Cup Finals, in which the Penguins won the Cup in 2016 and 2017.
Initially, when the building was opened, it was named the Consol Energy Center. However, PPG took over the naming rights in 2016.
Wells Fargo Center
Location:Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Team(s):Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia 76ers
Opened:1996
Capacity:19,300
Sponsor:Wells Fargo, a large US financial institution
The Philadelphia Flyers, often known as the Broad Street Bullies, play at the Wells Fargo Center along with the city's NBA team, the 76ers.
The arena is well known for having the first-ever "rage room," in which fans can enter it and let out their frustrations by breaking things inside it. Many fans, including myself, found the introduction a bit odd. I am not sure if the rage room still exists today, as it was opened in 2019.
Since 1996, the building has undergone multiple name changes, originally named the CoreStates Center, First Union Center, Wachovia Center, and now the Wells Fargo Center.
The arena has had plenty of significant events, hosting the NHL Entry Draft and the NHL and NBA finals.
Madison Square Garden
Location:New York City, New York
Team(s):New York Rangers, New York Knicks
Opened:1968
Capacity:18,000
Sponsor:One of the only NHL arenas without any
Of any buildings still utilized today in the NHL, I'm not sure you could find a more prestigious building than Madison Square Gardens. The Madison Square Garden Company owns the building, and no naming rights are currently associated with it.
Not only is it one of the oldest NHL arenas, but it's also one of the oldest multi-purpose indoor arenas.
The arena has been rebuilt numerous times over the years, and the current building is the fourth one to hold the name Madison Square Gardens. The original was built back in 1879. One could argue it is the most famous arena on the planet.
Prudential Center
Location:Newark, New Jersey
Team(s):New Jersey Devils
Opened:2007
Capacity:16,500
Sponsor:Prudential Financial, a Fortune 500 insurance and financial company
For the most part, the Prudential Center hosts the New Jersey Devils. However, it does host college basketball games as well. The arena is relatively new, opened in 2007 and is often nicknamed The Rock.
The nickname comes from the fact Prudential Financial's logo is the Rock of Gibraltar. Since its opening, the arena has only had one name, as Prudential has owned the naming rights.
The Devils had great success when the building first opened, routinely making the playoffs, but went through a rough patch. However, they look to be turning the corner now, and I have little doubt some notable games will be played in the building soon.
PNC Arena
Location:Raleigh, North Carolina
Team(s):Carolina Hurricanes and North Carolina State (NCAA Basketball)
Opened:1999
Capacity:18,700
Sponsor:PNC Financial Services, an American financial services company
The Carolina Hurricanes and the North Carolina State University men's basketball team play in the PNC Arena. The building was built in 1999, and fans had the honour of watching the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Edmonton Oilers to win the Stanley Cup in a 7-game showdown in 2006.
Although Carolina hasn't made a trip back to the Cup since they've established a strong franchise, and playoff games have become a routine inside the PNC.
In 1999, the building was originally named the Raleigh Entertainment & Sports Arena before becoming the RBC Center. In 2012, it was named the PNC Arena, which still sticks today.
Nationwide Arena
Location:Columbus, Ohio
Team(s):Columbus Blue Jackets
Opened:2000
Capacity:18,500
Sponsor:Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
The Blue Jackets have played in Nationwide since they entered the league in the 2000 expansion draft, and Nationwide has owned the naming rights to the arena since it opened.
The Blue Jackets are well known for firing an old cannon off every time they score a goal, making it one of the more unique goal celebrations in the league.
Tragically, the arena is also home to the first ever fan-related death in a building, when a young girl was struck in the head with a deflected puck. It would improve the design of arenas, as netting was put up around the areas where pucks were likely to be deflected into the audience.
UBS Arena
Location:Elmont, New York
Team(s):New York Islanders
Opened:2021
Capacity:17,100
Sponsor:UBS, a Swiss investment bank
The UBS arena is one of the newer arenas in the league, opening in 2021. The New York Islanders desperately needed a new arena, and the city finally got one in 2021.
Before this, the Islanders bounced around for quite some time, playing in the Nassau Coliseum being sent to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and back to Nassau again.
Being initially constructed in the 70's, Nassau was much too old and outdated. The new arena is a bright spot for the Islanders and fans.
In terms of history, with the building just opening, there isn't any yet.
United Center
Location:Chicago, Illinois
Team(s):Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bulls
Opened:1994
Capacity:19,700
Sponsor:United Airlines, a large US-based airline
The United Center is home to the Blackhawks and the Bulls and has been around for three decades. In those three decades, there have been multiple eras of domination by the Blackhawks and Bulls.
The arena was home to the Stanley Cup championships by the Blackhawks in 2010, 2013, and 2015, as well as numerous NBA Finals while Michael Jordan was on the Bulls.
For the entirety of its existence, it has been the United Center, which is quite impressive considering the building is three decades old. Before that, the Blackhawks played in the famous Chicago Stadium right across the street.
Xcel Energy Center
Location:St. Paul, Minnesota
Team(s):Minnesota Wild
Opened:2000
Capacity:17,900
Sponsor:Xcel Energy, a regulated utility in the United States
The Xcel Energy Center is located in quite possibly the strongest state in the country regarding hockey. Minnesotans love hockey and have a powerful NHL and college following.
The arena was built in 2000 when the Wild entered the league via the 2000 expansion draft along with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Xcel Energy, a popular utility company in Minneapolis, has owned the naming rights since the building opened.
Although the Wild have never made a trip to the Cup final, they've frequently made the playoffs and played notable games inside Xcel. In addition to this, it also hosted the NHL Entry Draft and the NHL All-Star Game.
Ball Arena
Location:Denver, Colorado
Team(s):Colorado Avalanche, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Mammoth
Opened:1999
Capacity:18,000
Sponsor:Ball Corporation, best known for creating canning products
The Colorado Avalanche and Ball Arena have had a notable past. When the Quebec Nordiques were moved from Quebec, Canada, in 1995, the team played in the McNichols Sports Arena for a few years. In 1999, they opened a brand new building.
At that time, it was named the Pepsi Center and was for quite some time. Ball Corporation didn't buy the naming rights until 2020 and still holds them.
The arena is also home to the NBA's Denver Nuggets and the National Lacrosse League's Colorado Mammoth.
The Avalanche have won three Stanley Cups. However, only two have been in the current arena, 2001 and 2022. Their 1996 Stanley Cup was in an older arena.
Bridgestone Arena
Location:Nashville, Tennessee
Team(s):Nashville Predators
Opened:1996
Capacity:17,100
Sponsor:Bridgestone Americas, recognized mostly for its tire production
The Nashville Predators have one of the most rambunctious fan bases in the National Hockey League, and it's evident every time you go into Bridgestone Arena.
Although the Predators didn't enter the league until the 1998 expansion draft, Bridgestone Arena opened in 1996. The location of the arena has made it one of the busiest arenas in the United States, being located right on Broadway in Nashville, where tourists and locals like to listen to country music.
With Nashville being a country city, the building also routinely hosts the CMA Awards.
Staples Center
Location:Los Angeles, California
Team(s):Los Angeles Kings, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers
Opened:1999
Capacity:18,230
Sponsor:Staples, a popular department store for offices
The Staples Center is one of the only arenas on this list to currently host three professional sports teams, including the Kings and two NBA teams.
Along with the other California teams, the building has hosted numerous NHL All-Star games and non-hockey events like the NBA Finals and even the Grammy Awards.
The arena has hosted multiple Stanley Cup Playoffs, with the Kings winning numerous cups. Despite being built in 1999, Staples has maintained the naming rights throughout its existence.
American Airlines Center
Location:Dallas Stars
Team(s):Dallas Stars, Dallas Mavericks
Opened:2001
Capacity:18,500
Sponsor:American Airlines, a popular US-based airline
The Dallas Stars and Mavericks, the city's NBA team, share the American Airlines Center. Although the building was opened in 2001, the Stars were moved from Minnesota in 1993.
Before this, the team played in Reunion Arena, built in 1980 and closing in 2008, seven years after the AAC was built. Although the Stars won their lone Stanley Cup in the Reunion Arena, it has made multiple Stanley Cup final appearances inside the AAC and has played some notable games inside.
With American Airlines being a Fort Worth, Texas-based company, it has owned the naming rights to the building ever since it was opened.
Enterprise Center
Location:St Louis, Missouri
Team(s):St Louis Blues
Opened:1994
Capacity:18,096
Sponsor:Enterprise Holdings, a car rental company
The Enterprise Center has been home to some of the best hockey players to ever play the game, including Brett Hull, Chris Pronger, and even Wayne Gretzky, the year after the building opened.
Although the Blues struggled to succeed early in their NHL existence, they would play in the Stanley Cup final in the Enterprise Center in 2019, winning their first in franchise history.
The building has gone through multiple names over the years, originally being known as the Kiel Center. It would then be the Savvis Center and Scottrade Center before Enterprise got the naming rights in 2018.
Canada Life Centre
Location:Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Team(s):Winnipeg Jets
Opened:2004
Capacity:15,321
Sponsor:Canada Life, a Canadian insurance company
For some, the idea of the Canada Life Centre opening in 2004 could get confusing. The Jets moved from Winnipeg to Phoenix to become the now-Arizona Coyotes in 1996.
So, why build a new arena in 2004 when the city didn't even have an NHL team? Primarily to host the Manitoba Moose, the Vancouver Canucks farm team then. In addition, it was to revitalize the downtown area.
The Jets moved back in 2011 and have been there since. The arena was initially called the MTS Centre before renaming to Bell MTS Place in 2017 and, in 2021, the now Canada Life Centre.
Climate Pledge Arena
Location:Seattle, Washington
Team(s):Seattle Kraken
Opened:2021
Capacity:17,100
Sponsor:Amazon
You may be confused as to why the Seattle Kraken's arena is sponsored by Amazon yet named the Climate Pledge Arena. This is in an effort for Amazon to promote its new climate change initiative, and the arena aims to be the first net-zero carbon-certified arena in the world.
With the Kraken just coming into the league, the arena doesn't have much history. However, the Kraken did make the playoffs in the 2nd season of their existence. It went on a reasonable run, losing to the Dallas Stars in the semi-finals.
T-Mobile Arena
Location:Las Vegas, Nevada
Team(s):Vegas Golden Knights
Opened:2016
Capacity:17,500
Sponsor:T-Mobile, a large US-based telecom company
T-Mobile Arena is unique in that, much like Nashville's Bridgestone Arena, it is buried in a hotbed of activity, located right on the Las Vegas Strip.
The arena was built in 2016 by MGM Resorts and AEG, despite the Knights not playing in the building until the 2017-2018 season. With the city's gambling and betting nature, the complex was built to shake the city's reputation of not being a good place for a professional sports team.
Fast forward to 2023, and the Vegas Golden Knights would win their first Stanley Cup in the arena. T-Mobile has owned the naming rights to the building for the entirety of its existence.
Rogers Arena
Location:Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Team(s):Vancouver Canucks
Opened:1995
Capacity:18,900
Sponsor:Rogers Communications, a large Canadian telecom company
Rogers is prominent in the NHL space, sponsoring numerous arenas, which we'll review next. The first being Rogers Arena in Vancouver and home to the Vancouver Canucks. The building was constructed in 1995 to revitalize Vancouver's downtown.
The arena is situated in the downtown of arguably one of the nicest cities in North America. Not only has it hosted a Vancouver Canucks Stanley Cup Final run, but also the 2010 Winter Olympics, in which Canada would go on to beat the United States in overtime in the Gold Medal game.
The arena opened as General Motors Place, but Rogers acquired the naming rights in 2010 and has been Rogers Arena ever since.
Rogers Place
Location:Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Team(s):Edmonton Oilers
Opened:2016
Capacity:18,500
Sponsor:Rogers Communications, a large Canadian telecom company
Rogers also has the naming rights and has had the naming rights since the opening day of the new arena in Edmonton, Alberta. Rogers Place is home to the Edmonton Oilers. Although it wasn't the arena the team played in during their dynasty days, the Oilers have been able to excite fans in Rogers Place since its opening with superstars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
The Ice District, where the arena is located, was built to revitalize the city's downtown, which needed a significant makeover. Its older arena, Rexall Place, where the Oilers would go on to win five Stanley Cups, was on the north side of Edmonton and outside of downtown.
The arena boasts one of the largest jumbotrons in an indoor arena in North America, and its state-of-the-art design is certainly one of the nicest in the NHL currently.
Scotiabank Saddledome
Location:Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Team(s):Calgary Flames, Calgary Wranglers
Opened:1983
Capacity:19,289
Sponsor:Scotiabank, a large Canadian financial institution
One of the oldest arenas currently in the NHL, Scotiabank Saddledome is home to not only the Calgary Flames but also their AHL farm team, the Calgary Wranglers. The building was constructed in 1983, and the Flames have desperately needed a new facility for quite some time.
They'd get their wish in 2023 with a new arena in the works. The Saddledome's days are numbered, but it will be long remembered for hosting the Flame's one and only Stanley Cup victory in the late 80s.
The building is best known for being shaped like a saddle to honor the Western culture of the city and was host to multiple events during the 1988 Winter Olympics. The building was initially named the Olympic Saddledome before undergoing numerous name changes until Scotiabank took over the naming rights in 2010.
SAP Center
Location:San Jose, California
Team(s):San Jose Sharks
Opened:1993
Capacity:17,500
Sponsor:SAP, a large-scale software company
The SAP Center, home of the San Jose Sharks, is routinely called the Shark Tank by broadcasters and local fans. The Sharks would begin their NHL journey in 1991, despite the arena not opening until 1993.
The Sharks would play at the Cow Palace in Daly City, California, while the SAP Center was being built. Initially, it was called the San Jose Arena. It would undergo numerous name changes, including the Compaq Center and HP Pavilion. But in 2013, it would become the SAP Center and has stuck to this day.
The Sharks haven't won a cup but had a dominant team for many years, visiting the Stanley Cup Finals once. The arena has also hosted the NHL All-Star Game twice, as it is a popular destination for the league to go to in an attempt to grow the game in a massive US State.
Honda Center
Location:Anaheim, California
Team(s):Anaheim Ducks
Opened:1993
Capacity:17,100
Sponsor:Honda, a popular vehicle company
The Honda Center would open up in the same year the Anaheim Ducks would enter the National Hockey League, during the 1993 NHL expansion draft. The Ducks would be yet another California team entering the league, with the San Jose Sharks entering just two years prior.
The growth in the game in California was paramount to the NHL, considering the population. The Ducks haven't let the league down, and the arena has hosted the Stanley Cup Finals twice in its 30-year existence, with the Ducks capturing the Cup in 2007.
The arena was initially called the Anaheim Arena before it was named Arrowhead Pond shortly after. In 2006, Honda bought the naming rights and has held them ever since.
Mullett Arena
Location:Tempe, Arizona
Team(s):Arizona Coyotes
Opened:2022
Capacity:5000
Mullett Arena is, at the time of writing, the temporary home to the Arizona Coyotes, who were currently having some issues in terms of lease payments from their regular arena, the Gila River Arena, which is now named the Desert Diamond Arena and located in Glendale.
The arena is unsuitable for a National Hockey League team, primarily because of its limited capacity for concessions and spectators. Only 5,000 people can sit in the arena, and it's not an optimal situation for the team or NHL.
It is working hard to get a new agreement and lock down a new facility.
