Bell Centre

Also known as Centre Bell, Molson Centre, Centre Molson

indoor arena in Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Key facts

Former names: Nouveau forum de Montréal/New Montreal Forum (pre-construction–1996), Centre Molson/Molson Centre (1996–2002)
Address: 1909 Canadiens-de-Montréal Avenue
Location: Montreal , Quebec, Canada
Owner: Groupe CH , ( Molson family )
Operator: Evenko
Capacity: Amphitheatre : 10,000–14,000 , Concerts : 15,000 , Ice hockey : 21,273 (1996–2014) , 21,287 (2014–2015) , 21,288 (2015–2017) , 21,302 (2017–2021) , 21,105 (2021–2025) , 20,962 (2025–present) , Theatre : 5,000–9,000
Field size: 61 metres (200 ft) x 26 metres (85 ft)
Public transit: Lucien-L'Allier (Metro) , Lucien-L'Allier (Exo) , Terminus Centre-Ville , Gare Centrale
Groundbreaking: June 22, 1993
Opened: March 16, 1996
Construction cost: C$ 270 million, ($499 million in 2025 dollars )

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Article

Bell Centre (French: Centre Bell), formerly known as Molson Centre (French: Centre Molson), is a multi-purpose arena located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Opened on March 16, 1996, it is the home arena of the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL), replacing Montreal Forum and it is the largest indoor arena in Canada. It is owned by the Molson family via the team's ownership group Groupe CH, and managed via Groupe CH subsidiary Evenko.

With a seating capacity of 20,962 in its hockey configuration, Bell Centre is the second largest ice hockey arena in the world after the SKA Arena in St. Petersburg, Russia. Alongside hockey, Bell Centre has hosted major concerts, and occasional mixed martial arts and professional wrestling events. Since it opened in 1996, it has consistently been listed as one of the world's busiest arenas, usually receiving the highest attendance of any arena in Canada. In 2012, it was the fifth-busiest arena in the world based on ticket sales for non-sporting events.