Top-15 Best NHL Arenas Ranking

Best NHL Arenas Ranking
Photo: Ltp1220

Which are the best NHL Arenas?

In the game of hockey, the facility’s maintenance and general state is an essential factor in determining the outcome of sports events taking place, as well as fans’ attendance.

The arenas’ impressive structures in several spots in the United States have done the magic in bringing out the raw intensity needed to spark an entertaining game.

SportyTell ranks the top-15 best NHL arenas based on a fanfare rating. Over the years, these arenas have lived up to the hype and standard of fans and sports professionals.

Ranking the Best NHL Arenas

15. Xcel Energy Center (Minnesota Wild)

Xcel Energy Center
Photo: Ltp1220

The multi-purpose arena which officially opened in September 2000 is home ground to NHL’s Minnesota Wild. Its name was derived from its official local sponsor Xcel Energy and owned by the city of Saint Paul. The arena’s ice rink holds a capacity of up to 18,064. Although quite aging, it is still one of the best fields in the NHL. Its fan-friendly atmosphere and advantageous access make it among fans favorite.

14. SAP Center (San Jose Sharks)

SAP Center
Photo: Florent Lamoureux

Located in San Jose, California, the indoor arena has one of the smallest capacity among the NHL fields with a 17,562 capacity. It makes up for it with its convenient and cozy structure as it is one hotspot among hockey fans. The small structure gives onlookers a more comfortable close-up view of game actions on the ice rink and so, therefore, adds to the quality from watching games from a spectator point of view. It was officially opened in 1993, and its primary tenant is the San Jose Sharks.

13. Amalie Arena (Tampa Bay Lightning)

Amalie Arena
Photo: Matthew Paulson

The venue in downtown Tampa, Florida, was formally known as the Ice Palace until it was renamed after the Amalie Oil Company purchased its naming rights. It serves as a home venue to the Tampa Bay Lightning of the NHL. It is one ideal spot among hockey fans as it provides an all-around memorable game experience. From various availability of food options to the intriguing interior, fans can have a fun-filled time watching the Tampa Bay in action. The arena which was opened in 1996 has a massive 19,092 capacity.

12. United Center (Chicago Blackhawks)

United Center
Photo: Hendrik Seis

One of the thrills that accompanies game watching experience in the United Center is the loud cheering from thousands of fans often after the anthem and also during gameplay. Chicago Blackhawks fans do not disappoint in encouraging their teams from the roars of their tongues. Opened in 1994, the indoor arena, a replacement to the demolished Chicago Stadium, is located in Chicago, Illinois. With a 19,717 capacity, it is home venue to the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL.

11. Rogers Arena (Vancouver Canucks)

Rogers Arena
Photo: kallerna

The multi-purpose arena situated on 800 Griffiths way, downtown Vancouver serves as the home ground to Vancouver Canucks of the NHL. It was built as a replacement to a former sports facility, the Pacific Coliseum. Roger Arena’s hockey rink has as much as 18,910 capacity. The arena which is owned by Canucks Sports & Entertainment was in use during the 2010 winter Olympics. It was opened in 1995.

10. Capital One Arena (Washington Capitals)

Capital One Arena
Photo: Public Domain

Watching a hockey game in the Capital One Arena is truly a remarkable experience for giving an arm. The lively atmosphere within the midst of intense ongoing games and vigor of the crowd is addictive. Since it opened in 1997 at a $290 million construction cost, it has been one key attraction spot to hockey lovers. It also plays a pivotal role in the development of the Washington city as it is one commercial hotspot to tourists and locals. The arena which is home to NHL’s Washington Capitals has 18,593 in its ice rink.

9. Scotiabank Arena (Toronto Maple Leafs)

Scotiabank Arena
Photo: Paperfire

One significant franchise in the NHL, Scotiabank Arena, lives up to the hype of their notable success with its arena’s beauty and modernity. Toronto Maple Leafs, no doubt, is phenomenal on the rink, and the intrigues of its 18,800 capacity arena give hockey fans a memorable game experience. The multi-purpose stadium, which officially was opened in 1999, is located in Toronto, Ontario, and it is owned and operated by Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment Ltd.

8. Nationwide Arena (Columbus Blue Jackets)

Nationwide Arena
Photo:

The multi-purpose arena, which was completed in 2000, is home venue to NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets and was opened the same year of completion on September 9. The arena’s ice rink has some 18,500 capacity. Its affordable ticket price, availability of varying menus, and the splendid location are addictive factors that draw fans and non-fans of hockey to the Jackets in action. Nationwide Arena is one of the most famous hockey arenas in the NHL.

7. Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia Flyers)

Wells Fargo Center
Photo: SamHolt6

The multi-purpose arena, which opened in 1996, was built as a replacement of the spectrum. Its construction cost was $210 million. It currently is home to the Philadelphia Flyers and has some 19,306 capacity in its hockey ice rink. It provides a friendly comfort view to spectators and is one of the fans’ favorites, which makes it among the best NHL arenas.

6. Rogers Place (Edmonton Oilers)

Rogers Place
Photo: Mack Male

Roger’s building and facility’s breathtaking view is impressive enough to lure fans to watch NHL Edmonton in action on the rink. The indoor arena after a three-year construction was opened in September 2016. Its hockey ice rink has some 18,500 seating capacity. The Edmonton played their first hockey game in Rogers Place on September 24, 2016. Since then, it has been the home ground to the Edmonton Oilers. It is located in Edmonton, Alberta, and owned by the City of Edmonton, but the Oilers Entertainment Group oversees its daily operation.

5. Bridgestone Arena (Nashville Predators)

Bridgestone Arena
Photo: Stephen Yeargin

The arena, which was completed in 1996 and is home ground to the Nashville Predators of the NHL, is also a multi-purpose venue located in downtown Nashville. It possesses an impressive exterior facility eye-catching to tourists and locals, and more intriguing is its 17,159 ice hockey rink, especially during game events. It provides an all-round users experience to spectators that leaves memorable scenes in mind. Bridgestone Arena was opened in the same year of completion, 1996, and is owned by the Sports Authority of Nashville.

4. T-Mobile Arena (Vegas Golden Knights)

T-Mobile Arena
Photo: Tomás Del Coro

With a seating capacity of 17,500 in its hockey ice rink, T-Mobile Arena is the primary home venue of NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights. It opened officially in April 2016 after a construction cost of $375 million. Presently it is among the top ten fan-rated NHL arenas. Players vote T-Mobile Arena for having the most fantastic atmosphere amongst other NHL arenas. A fascinating experience to look out is the energy that the fans bring from the start of the game to the final buzzer.

3. Madison Square Garden (New York Rangers)

Madison Square Garden
Photo: Ajay Suresh

For short, MSG is one of the reputable and famous multi-purpose arenas in the United States. Opened in February 1968, it is located in Manhattan, New York, New York City. Its hockey ice rink holds a seating capacity of 18,006 with various unique spots to watch the game. The arena, which is one landmark spot for sports and events, is home to the NHL’s New York Rangers and is owned by The Madison Square Garden Company while been operated by MSG Entertainment.

2. KeyBank Center (Buffalo Sabres)

Before undergoing a naming change in late 2016, formerly known as First Niagara Center is one of the prestigious hockey arenas in the NHL. Its ice rink is wonderfully built in such an impressive structure; it tends to be vivid to first-time visitors. It stands out. KeyBank Center has a capacity of 19,070 and is located in Buffalo, New York.

1. Bell MTS Place (Winnipeg Jets)

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One factor that differentiates Bell MTS from every other arena in the NHL is its building structure and features and the genuine, friendly, and respectable atmospheric comportment of its fans. First-time visitors are treated in the manner of warm hospitality by home team fans that tend to add positively to their game experience, especially to one’s on the side of the home team. The indoor arena ice hockey rink has a seating capacity of 15,321 and is located in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Which NHL Arena is your best choice to watch a hockey game?

For the love of hockey, watching at least a game in all these National Hockey League arenas is a surefire way to determine which is the choicest among the others. Please feel free to share your thoughts on these NHL arenas in our comments section below.

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