Bell Centre Seating Chart: Best Seats at Centre Bell

By the Reserved Seat editorial teamUpdated October 29, 2026How we research

Centre Bell or Bell Centre: one arena, and where to sit

The Bell Centre, known in French as the Centre Bell, is the downtown Montreal home of the Montreal Canadiens and the largest indoor arena in Canada. It opened on March 16, 1996, as the Molson Centre, replacing the Montreal Forum, and took its current name on September 1, 2002, when Bell Canada acquired the naming rights. Both the English and French names refer to the same building.

For a Canadiens game, the best all-around seats are on the 100 level along the sideline, in the middle and upper rows of the red sections, where the steep pitch lets you see over the glass and still read plays developing. The Canadiens bench sits in front of sections 101 and 102 and the visitors' bench in front of section 124, so those sections and the ones beside them make up the center-ice side. For value, the front rows of the 300 level along the sides are the classic Montreal choice: high, but close because the bowl is so steep.

Wikipedia lists hockey capacity at 20,962, which makes it the second-largest hockey arena in the world; the team has recorded sellouts of 21,105 in recent seasons. Canadiens home games have sold out almost without a break since October 2005, so most single-game seats come from the resale market.

The levels, colors and section numbers

A local consortium designed the Bell Centre rather than one of the large arena firms, and it shows in the steep grandstands, built to improve sight lines. Seat colors still help fans describe where they sit.

100 level: the reds (sections 101–124)

The lower bowl circles the ice. Rows start with double letters at the front (AA through FF) and continue with single letters (A through W) toward the back, so a row lettered A is several rows up, not on the glass. Facing the ice, the lowest seat numbers are on the right. RateYourSeats describes the front rows as Platinum, the middle as Prestige and the back as Red pricing zones.

200 level: Club Desjardins

A narrow ring of about six rows sits between two levels of private boxes. Tickets include larger seats plus food and nonalcoholic drinks, which is why this level often costs more than seats below it.

300 and 400 levels: whites, greys and blues

The upper bowl runs from sections 301 to 336, with the 400 rows above. Fans call the lowest upper rows the whites, the rows above them the greys and the top rows the blues. A ring of Canadiens greats circles the top of the bowl, and the club's 24 Stanley Cup banners hang from the rafters.

The zones at each end

The upper ends are themed. Wikipedia places the Ford Zone, with section cheerleaders and lights, at the end where the Canadiens shoot twice, and a Family Zone with child pricing and limited alcohol at the opposite end. Check the current zone map when you buy, because sponsors and layouts change.

Best seats for Canadiens hockey, and the ones to avoid

Center ice on the 100 level

Sections 101–102 and 123–124 flank the benches. Sitting from the single-letter rows upward (row A and higher) clears the glass while keeping you close. The double-letter rows near the glass are great for speed and noise but flatten the far end of the rink.

The end the Canadiens attack twice

A fan-maintained guide on the r/Habs community places the Canadiens' shoot-twice end on the side covering sections 115 to 123 and 320 to 336. Ends are chosen before each game, so confirm on the night, but if you want to watch Montreal's offense in the first and third periods, that is the end to target.

Upstairs value

The first rows of the 300 sections along the sides feel closer than upper decks in most NHL arenas. Corner seats up top are a step down; the far end-zone seats are the cheapest for a reason.

Seats to skip

Sections 318 to 320 (and the 400 rows above): the press gondola blocks the main video board. Wikipedia notes the arena hung small screens on the back of the gondola for these seats.
The lowest double-letter rows behind the nets: the glass, the net and the stanchions get in the way.
Club Desjardins for a budget visit: the food is included, but you pay for it in the ticket.

Concerts and the arena's other configurations

The Bell Centre is Montreal's main stop for arena tours and has long ranked among the busiest arenas in the world for ticket sales. Céline Dion has played the building more than anyone, with 50 shows between 1996 and 2020.

Wikipedia lists the arena's capacities by setup: 20,962 for hockey, about 15,000 for concerts, 10,000 to 14,000 in an amphitheater layout and 5,000 to 9,000 in a curtained theater setup. For an end-stage concert, the lower-level sections angled toward the stage give the best mix of view and sound, and the center sections directly across from the stage show the full production. Seats beside the stage often lose the video screens, and anything behind the stage is usually closed or sold as limited view.

The building also hosts NBA preseason games, UFC and WWE cards, and figure skating; it held the 2024 World Figure Skating Championships, and a PWHL game in April 2024 set a women's hockey attendance record of 21,105.

Getting there: the metro and parking

Take the metro if you can. The Bell Centre is linked to both Lucien-L'Allier and Bonaventure stations on the Orange Line and to Montreal's underground city and Central Station. Lucien-L'Allier connects without a walk outdoors, which matters in January; the Lucien-L'Allier commuter rail terminal sits next door. The Canadiens themselves call public transit the best way to reach the arena for big games.

The Bell Centre has its own indoor parking, open to the public. According to the Canadiens' fan FAQ, event-night parking opens at noon and rates vary by event; pickup trucks are not accepted during hockey games and studded tires are banned at all times. Commercial garages nearby, such as those at Place Bonaventure and Central Station, are alternatives. Street parking is scarce, so plan ahead and check rates before you go.

Doors, bags and entry

As of October 2026, the Canadiens' fan FAQ says doors generally open 90 minutes before game time, with some premium entrances opening earlier. Arrive early on big nights: the pregame show starts before puck drop, and fan events on Canadiens Plaza and Avenue des Canadiens-de-Montréal draw crowds outside.

Bags: fan guides report that backpacks are not allowed and that there is no bag check, while purses are searched. Rules differ by event, so read the arena FAQ for the event you are attending.
Tickets: the Canadiens publish a mobile-ticket guide on their site; load tickets before you reach the doors.
Accessible seating: wheelchair and companion tickets are sold through the box office.
Coats: seats are tight, so a light jacket beats a bulky winter coat.

Policies change, so check the Bell Centre FAQ before you go.

From the Forum to the Molson Centre to Bell

Construction began on June 22, 1993, almost two weeks after the Canadiens won their 24th Stanley Cup at the Forum. The arena opened in March 1996 carrying the name of Molson, the brewer that owned the team. When Molson sold the club, it did not keep the naming rights, and Bell Canada's name went up in 2002. Today the Molson family owns the Canadiens through Groupe CH, and its evenko subsidiary manages the building.

The arena kept one old habit: an old-style siren from the Forum still ends each period. It hosted the 2009 NHL All-Star Game, the 2009 and 2022 NHL drafts, two Stanley Cup Final games in 2021 under pandemic limits, and the opening round-robin games of the 4 Nations Face-Off in February 2025. Pro wrestling fans know it as the site of the 1997 Montreal Screwjob. More background is on the Bell Centre Wikipedia entry.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Centre Bell the same as the Bell Centre?

Yes. Centre Bell is the French name and Bell Centre the English name of the same arena on Avenue des Canadiens-de-Montréal. It was called the Molson Centre from 1996 to 2002.

What is the capacity of the Bell Centre?

Wikipedia lists 20,962 for hockey, the largest indoor arena in Canada, and the Canadiens have reported sellouts of 21,105. Concert setups hold about 15,000.

Where is parking at the Bell Centre?

The arena has its own indoor public parking that opens at noon on event nights, and several downtown garages are nearby. Rates vary by event, and the metro is usually faster.

Which side is the Canadiens bench on?

The Canadiens bench is in front of sections 101 and 102, and the visitors sit in front of section 124. The sections around both benches form the center-ice sideline.

Which Bell Centre seats have an obstructed view?

Sections 318 to 320 and the rows above them sit behind the press gondola, which blocks the main video board. The ice is still visible, and smaller screens are mounted for those seats.

Which metro station is closest to the Bell Centre?

Lucien-L'Allier and Bonaventure on the Orange Line both connect to the arena. Lucien-L'Allier has an indoor link that avoids the cold.