One of the most difficult moves in sports came in 1995-96 when the Montreal Canadians left the second-to-last remaining arena of the original six, the Montreal Forum, along with 24 championship banners. Bell Centre was built for the new hockey generation. There is nothing special about the outside and the interior is cramped, but the concourse is one of the best and most spacious in the NHL.
Year Opened: 1996
Capacity: 21,273
Architect: Consortium of Quebec Architects
Web Site: centrebell.ca
Phone: 514/932-2582
Anchor Tenants: Montreal Canadians (NHL)
Parking: Many parking facilities surround the Bell Centre and throughout downtown Montreal.
Directions: 1260 de la Gauchetiere Street West, Montreal QU H3B 5E8. Sherbrooke and Eastern Townships: Follow AUT-10 East; take the Champlain Bridge; follow AUT-15 North; take AUT-720 East; take exit 4 (de la Montagne North); turn left on St. Antoine Street West; turn right onto Rue de la Montagne; turn right onto Rue de la Gauchetière Ouest. Trois-Rivière & Québec: Follow AUT-40 West; take exit 66-S onto AUT-Décarie South; take AUT-720 East; take exit 4 (de la Montagne North); turn left on St-Antoine Street West; turn right onto Rue de la Montagne; turn right onto Rue de la Gauchetière Ouest. Drummondville & Québec: Follow AUT-20 West; exit AUT-132 West; take the Champlain Bridge; follow AUT-15 North; take AUT-720 East; take exit 4 (de la Montagne North); turn left on St-Antoine Street West; turn right onto Rue de la Montagne; turn right onto Rue de la Gauchetière Ouest. Ottawa (Highway 417): Follow AUT-40 East; take exit 66-S onto AUT-Décarie South; take AUT-720 East; take exit 4 (de la Montagne North); turn left on St-Antoine Street West; turn right onto Rue de la Montagne; turn right onto Rue de la Gauchetière Ouest. Toronto (Highway 401): Follow AUT-20 East; take AUT-720 East; take exit 4 (de la Montagne North); turn left on St-Antoine Street West; turn right onto Rue de la Montagne; turn right onto Rue de la Gauchetière Ouest. New York (Interstate 87): Follow AUT-15 North to AUT-10 West; take the Champlain Bridge; follow AUT-15 North; take AUT-720 East; take exit 4 (de la Montagne North); turn left on St-Antoine Street West; turn right onto Rue de la Montagne; turn right onto Rue de la Gauchetière Ouest. Vermont (Interstate 89) & St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu: Follow AUT-35 North to AUT-10 West; take the Champlain Bridge; follow AUT-15 North; take AUT-720 East; take exit 4 (de la Montagne North); turn left on St-Antoine Street West; turn right onto Rue de la Montagne; turn right onto Rue de la Gauchetière Ouest.
History
One of the most difficult moves in sports came in 1995-96 when the Montreal Canadians left the second-to-last remaining arena of the original six, the Montreal Forum, along with 24 championship banners.
Bell Centre was built for the new hockey generation. There is nothing special about the outside and the interior is cramped, but the concourse is one of the best and most spacious in the NHL.
Located in downtown Montreal, the Bell Centre is connected to Lucien-L’Allier metro stations and Montreal’s underground city. The arena has the largest seating capacity in the NHL.
Along with hockey, the Bell Centre also hosts boxing and professional wrestling events.