NHL Arena Rankings

Over the last 2 weeks, I've conducted surveys across the world wide web on each arena in the NHL. It obviously wasn't the best way to do this, but close enough! Hundreds of fans have responded, using this criteria:

1. Arena atmosphere

2. Fan hospitality

3. Fan knowledge

4. Concessions

5. Gameday promotions

6. Arena surroundings

7. Arena parking

8. The arena itself

9. History & Tradition - applies to team, not arena

10. Ticket prices

11. On-ice product
- 1-7 I put on the survey that the fans responded to... they rated each one 1-10, with 10 being the highest. Then, I rated 8-11 by myself, using the internet and various data.

- The way I ranked the arenas was to add/average all the totals from the surveys... The Bell Centre in Montreal finished with a 91 rating; Staples Center with a 68. All other 28 arenas fell in between.

- This is about the overall experience of visiting the arena on a game night, not just the arena itself.

So, without further ado, here are the rankings:

1. BELL CENTRE (Canadiens)

Strengths: Atmosphere, Arena surroundings, History & tradition

Weakness: Ticket prices

One fans says - "Every night it is 21,273 of the most hardcore, impassioned fans in the world. They sing, chant, and scream until their throats are hoarse..."

2. HP PAVILION (Sharks)

Strengths: Ticket prices, Atmosphere

Weaknesses: Concessions, Promotions

One fan says - "I love the downtown area around the arena. I always go out to dinner before the games and there are a variety of restaurants to choose from. A lot of the restaurants also have TVs so you can watch games while eating."

3. NATIONWIDE ARENA (Blue Jackets)

Strengths: Arena surroundings, Arena itself

Weaknesses: Fan knowledge, History & tradition

4. PRUDENTIAL CENTER (Devils)

Strengths: Arena itself, Concessions, Fan hospitality

Weaknesses: Arena surroundings, Ticket prices

One fan says - "Hospitality of the crowd is top notch, as 99% of Devils fans aren't idiots who throw beer or start fights with fans of other teams."

5. HONDA CENTER (Ducks)

Strengths: Arena surroundings, Atmosphere

Weaknesses: Fan knowledge, Promotions

One fan says - "Attending the games at Honda Center is a total blast. The atmosphere is awesome and you can feel energy as soon as you enter."

6. MADISON SQUARE GARDEN (Rangers)

Strengths: History & tradition, Atmosphere

Weaknesses: Concessions, Promotions

7. XCEL ENERGY CENTER (Wild)

Strengths: Atmosphere, Arena itself

Weaknesses: Ticket prices, Promotions

8. JOE LOUIS ARENA (Red Wings)

Strengths: History & tradition, Atmosphere

Weakness: Arena surroundings

9. JOBING.COM ARENA (Coyotes)

Strengths: Arena surroundings, Parking

Weaknesses: Fan knowledge, History & tradition

One fan says - "The outside of the arena is amazing with the Cardinals stadium and the new attractions closeby!"

10. HSBC ARENA (Sabres)

Strengths: Ticket prices, Arena itself, Atmosphere

Weaknesses: Promotions, Arena surroundings

One fan says - "I have been to very few dull games post lockout."

11. WACHOVIA CENTER (Flyers)

Strengths: Atmosphere, Arena itself

Weaknesses: Ticket prices, Parking

12. SOMMET CENTER (Predators)

Strengths: Arena surroundings, Arena itself

Weaknesses: Fan knowledge, History & tradition

One fan says - "Nashville is the only place in the league where you'll find all of the country music bars right outside the arena. Great atmosphere in the arena and after the games out in the bars!"

13. RBC CENTER (Hurricanes)

Strengths: Ticket prices, Fan hospitality

Weaknesses: Arena surroundings, Parking

One fan says - "Lots of new hockey fans, it is catching on. I have introduced hockey to 6-7 people who are now faithful 'Caniacs."

14. VERIZON CENTER (Capitals)

Strengths: Arena surroundings, Atmosphere

Weaknesses: Concessions, Fan hospitality

One fan says - "Down the stretch this past season, the place was packed almost every night with Caps fans, and rockin'!"

15. MELLON ARENA (Penguins)

Strengths: Atmosphere, History & tradition

Weaknesses: Arena itself, Arena surroundings

16. GM PLACE (Canucks)

Strengths: History & tradition, Atmosphere

Weaknesses: Ticket prices, Parking

17. PHILIPS ARENA (Thrashers)

Strengths: Arena itself, Parking

Weaknesses: Fan knowledge, History & tradition

18. SCOTTRADE CENTER (Blues)

Strengths: Ticket prices, Fan hospitality

Weaknesses: Concessions, Promotions

19. PENGROWTH SADDLEDOME (Flames)

Strengths: Atmosphere, Fan knowledge

Weaknesses: Promotions, Ticket prices

20. AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER (Stars)

Strengths: Ticket prices, Arena itself

Weaknesses: Concessions, Parking

21. BANKATLANTIC CENTER (Panthers)

Strengths: Parking, Arena surroundings

Weaknesses: Ticket prices, Fan knowledge

One fan says - "The parking is GREAT! There's a lot of it and it's free. Also the BAC is located right off 1-75 and its easy to get to."

22. PEPSI CENTER (Avalanche)

Strengths: Arena surroundings, History & tradition

Weaknesses: Promotions, Concessions

One fan says - "Lots of stuff to do and lots of places to grab a bite from in the surrounding two blocks."

23. UNITED CENTER (Blackhawks)

Strengths: History & tradition, Concessions

Weaknesses: Fan hospitality, Arena itself

24. ST. PETE TIMES FORUM (Lightning)

Strengths: Arena surroundings, Arena itself

Weaknesses: Fan knowledge, Concessions

25. TD BANKNORTH GARDEN (Bruins)

Strengths: Arena surroundings, History & tradition

Weaknesses: Ticket prices, Fan hospitality

One fan says - "Original Six fans know their hockey."

26. AIR CANADA CENTRE (Maple Leafs)

Strengths: History & tradition, Arena surroundings

Weaknesses: Ticket prices, Atmosphere

27. SCOTIABANK PLACE (Senators)

Strength: Arena itself

Weaknesses: Concessions, Ticket prices

28. NASSAU COLISEUM (Islanders)

Strengths: History & tradition, Arena surroundings

Weaknesses: Atmosphere, Arena itself

29. REXALL PLACE (Oilers)

Strengths: History & tradition, Atmosphere

Weaknesses: Arena surroundings, Ticket prices

One fan says - "I love the atmosphere of Rexall. Every time I've gone to a game it's been loud and exciting."

30. STAPLES CENTER (Kings)

Strength: History & tradition

Weaknesses: Arena surroundings, Fan hospitality, Promotions

THANK YOU TO ALL FANS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE SURVEY!!