Place Bell in brief
Place Bell is the 10,000-seat arena in Laval, Quebec, just north of Montreal, next to the Montmorency terminus of the metro's Orange Line. It is home to the Laval Rocket, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens, and to the Montreal Victoire of the Professional Women's Hockey League, and it books concerts, comedy and family shows through Evenko. The arena is built as a single bowl with an upper deck, so the answer to "where should I sit" is simple: get as close to center ice as your budget allows, and favor the lower bowl over the corners of the upper rows.
The name causes confusion. Place Bell is not the Bell Centre, the Canadiens' NHL arena in downtown Montreal. Bell Canada holds the naming rights to both, and Evenko, the Bell Centre's operator, manages events at Place Bell, but they are separate buildings: one in Laval, one in downtown Montreal. The Victoire have played games in both.
How the seating bowl is arranged
Place Bell's main rink is a compact, single-bowl arena. Stadium Journey describes it as one bowl with an upper deck, and Tourisme Laval counts 46 corporate boxes in the building. Lower sections carry 100-level numbers and the upper rows 200-level numbers; fan photo sites list sections such as 103, 112, 113 and 116 in the lower bowl and 217 above.
The arena does not publish a text guide to its section ranges, and its seat map is an image, so this page does not list exact center-ice or end section numbers. Before you buy, open the seat map on the event's ticket page and check where the section sits relative to the red line. The PWHL's gameday guide places the Victoire's sign-making station at sections 111–112, which is a useful landmark on the concourse.
Capacity
Sources give slightly different totals: Wikipedia lists 10,172 seats, Stadium Journey 10,062, and Tourisme Laval "up to 10,000." Concert capacity depends on the stage setup.
Best seats for Rocket and Victoire hockey
Stadium Journey's reviewer found sightlines excellent from nearly every seat, which is typical of an arena this size. That gives you room to choose by experience rather than by fear of a bad view.
- Center ice, lower bowl, about ten rows up: the best overall view. You are above the glass and close enough to read the play.
- Low rows at the glass: the most intense seat in the building for hits and speed, but the boards hide the far end.
- Lower corners: a good compromise for price and closeness, especially at the end the home team attacks in the first and third periods.
- Upper rows near center: the full-rink view at the lowest price; in a 10,000-seat bowl, even the top is not far from the ice.
The Rocket's 2026–27 home schedule runs from early October to early April, and the Victoire's from December into April, according to Tourisme Laval. Weekend games and playoff dates draw the biggest crowds. Expect a production built for a younger crowd: Stadium Journey describes a dark bowl, strobe lighting, a DJ platform in the southeast corner and mostly French hip-hop between whistles.
Concerts, basketball and other events
The main rink converts to a concert setting, and Evenko planned to bring dozens of shows a year when the arena opened. For an end-stage show, the floor straight back from the stage and the lower sections facing it are the best seats; lower sections along the sides near the stage give a raised view with a sharper angle. Seats directly beside or behind the stage are the ones to avoid unless the show is in the round.
The arena also hosts college basketball. The Northern Classic, an NCAA Division I tournament, has been played here each November since 2022, and the Brooklyn Nets' G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, played four games here in January and February 2026 under the name "Les Nets." For basketball, choose the lower sideline sections near midcourt.
Getting there: Montmorency metro and parking
The easiest way in from Montreal is the metro. Take the Orange Line (Line 2) to its northern end at Montmorency station, a short walk from the arena. The station is accessible by elevator; the PWHL suggests checking the STM's elevator status before you travel. The PWHL guide points visitors to a zone B fare for the trip, so check fares with the STM or the STL before you go. The Gare de la Concorde commuter rail station is a few blocks east.
Parking
Tourisme Laval lists on-site paid parking with electric-vehicle charging, and Stadium Journey notes plenty of parking at the neighboring Collège Montmorency campus. Rates vary by event; the arena's website has an interactive parking map. Driving from Montreal means crossing a bridge to Laval, so the metro is usually the less stressful choice on game nights.
Bags, doors and arrival
As of the PWHL's 2026 gameday guide, Place Bell does not allow bags larger than a handbag or briefcase, and there is no bag check, so leave backpacks at home. Every guest goes through security screening. Personal signs are not permitted inside for Victoire games; the team runs a sign station on the concourse instead.
- Gates: open 90 minutes before a Victoire game, with seating access 60 minutes before puck drop; the time on your ticket takes precedence.
- Language: Stadium Journey notes that menus are mainly in French, so a translation app can help.
Other events may set different rules, so check the Place Bell FAQ or the event page before you go.
History of the Laval arena
Laval's mayor announced the project on February 13, 2012. It was first planned for the city's Agora district, near the courthouse, but unstable soil moved it to a site beside Montmorency station. Construction ran from late 2014 to 2017, and the budget grew from early estimates to about 200 million Canadian dollars. Lemay and CannonDesign designed the complex, with Pomerleau leading the design-build.
The Canadiens moved their AHL affiliate from St. John's, Newfoundland, and renamed it the Laval Rocket; the team won its first game at Place Bell 3–0 over Belleville on October 6, 2017. The arena hosted the 2023 AHL All-Star game, the Rocket's first home playoff game in May 2022 and, from 2024–25, became the primary home of the Montreal Victoire. The complex also includes a 2,500-seat Olympic-size rink used for speed and figure skating and a 500-seat community rink.
Frequently asked questions
Is Place Bell the same as the Bell Centre?
No. Place Bell is a 10,000-seat arena in Laval, home of the AHL's Laval Rocket. The Bell Centre is the Canadiens' NHL arena in downtown Montreal. Bell Canada sponsors both.
What is the capacity of Place Bell?
About 10,000 for hockey. Wikipedia lists 10,172 seats and Stadium Journey 10,062; the complex also has a 2,500-seat Olympic rink and a 500-seat community rink.
How do I get to Place Bell by metro?
Take the Orange Line (Line 2) to Montmorency, its northern terminus. The arena is a short walk from the station, which has elevators.
Where should I sit at Place Bell for a Rocket game?
Lower-bowl seats near center ice, about ten rows up, give the best view. Sightlines are good throughout, so upper rows near center are a solid budget choice.
Can I bring a bag into Place Bell?
Only a small one. As of 2026, the PWHL guide says bags larger than a handbag or briefcase are not allowed and cannot be checked. Confirm on the arena's FAQ before you go.
Is there parking at Place Bell?
Yes. There is paid on-site parking with EV charging, and more parking nearby at the Collège Montmorency campus. Rates vary by event.