Rank the Arenas you've been to

I saw this on the Blues' board, and I thought it was a good idea.

I'll start, though I haven't been to many.

1) MSG (I've been there for Rags games, but also the World Cup in '96. I hate to admit it, but it is a "legendary" place)
2) The Rock (only getting better)
3) Verizon Center (Washington D.C., very nice. Although I was, ahem, out of sorts that evening)
4) Continental Airlines Arena (Ahhh, it'd be higher but the Verizon Center was a nicer version)
5) The Colosseum (During the '92 playoffs? Fun times, back when Healie was likeable... worse to get out of than the Meadowlands)

1. Montreal
2. Ottawa
3. LA
4. Carolina
5. San Jose
6. Toronto
7. Florida
8. Flyers
9. Tampa Bay
10. Boston
11. Washington
12. Buffalo
13. MSG
14. CAA
15. Pittsburgh
16. Islanders
17 - 21 (All Western Conference games this year, so I'll find out how all those arenas are)!

I didn't put the Rock on there, but it would be near the top, since I'm there for all the games!

1.Prudential Center
2.Wachovia Center
3.Madison Square Garden
4.Continental Airlines Arena

I saw this on the Blues' board, and I thought it was a good idea.

I'll start, though I haven't been to many.

1) MSG (I've been there for Rags games, but also the World Cup in '96. I hate to admit it, but it is a legendary place)


Why do people call it legendary?

Only the name "Madison Square Garden" is famous & the phrase, "The World's Most Famous Arena" is only a marketing slogan (along the likes of Detroit calling itself "Hockeytown") that has been in use for less than 10 years.

The building itself is only 39 years old.

It saw just 1 Stanley Cup and a handful of Knicks Championships from a long, long, long time ago.

It took an MSG Network special "MSG's Greatest Moments" for many MSG appologists to name such "famous" events as the pope's visit, an obscure John Lennon concert, and obscure fundrasing Concert for Bangladesh and some obscure boxing matches.

What's so legendary about those minor events?

The sight lines are horrible, the hallways are narrow, incredibly long lines for bathrooms and the "atmosphere" is definitely overrated as it is in line with many other professional sports arenas in North America.

I always considered MSG to be overrated, but what's so special it?

Why do people call it legendary?

Only the name "Madison Square Garden" is famous & the phrase, "The World's Most Famous Arena" is only a marketing slogan (along the likes of Detroit calling itself "Hockeytown") that has been in use for less than 10 years.

The building itself is only 39 years old.

It saw just 1 Stanley Cup and a handful of Knicks Championships from a long, long, long time ago.

It took an MSG Network special "MSG's Greatest Moments" for many MSG appologists to name such "famous" events as the pope's visit, an obscure John Lennon concert, and obscure fundrasing Concert for Bangladesh and some obscure boxing matches.

What's so legendary about those minor events?

The sight lines are horrible, the hallways are narrow, incredibly long lines for bathrooms and the "atmosphere" is definitely overrated as it is in line with many other professional sports arenas in North America.

I always considered MSG to be overrated, but what's so special it?

It was also more of the crowd I had to deal with. It was a good time. I'm not basing this only on the quality of the place, cause lets face it a new building is nicer than an old. But it had a good atmosphere. So ok, well what about you? Whats your top places

17 - 21 (All Western Conference games this year, so I'll find out how all those arenas are)!


Wow cj, you're either very rich or an airline stewardess ;)

Ok, well what about you? Whats your top places

They are no longer there, but the Boston Garden for atmosphere stood out. Close behind was the old Montreal Forum. I've never made it to Chicago Stadium or the Maple Leaf Garden by the way.

I have been to the Verizon Center, St. Pete Times Forum, Wachovia Center, TD Banknorth Center or whatever the heck they call it now, and the BankAtlantic Center when it was National Car Rental Center. I would all call these places bland and not very unique.

As for my darkhouse pick, I was very impressed with the Staples Center from a "wow" standpoint. The place is huge both inside & outside and it looks like no other arena I have seen. There seems to be lots of room everywhere. Just the view out the large glass windows of the tall downtown skyscrapers is spectacle to see. (We have that now in Newark) With all the changes in downtown L.A., the way the skyline is lit up at night, the new subway line running below, etc., it really is a sight to see and makes for a unique atmosphere before and after games. (This is why I believe sports arenas should be built in downtown areas of cities by the way) I was at a Laker & Kings game between Christmas & New Year's a couple of years back (both games were sellouts) and the atmposphere, crowd noise, etc. was louder than I would have ever thought.

1 The Rock
2 Wachovia Center
3 MSG
4 RBC Center
5 The Panthers Arena
6 St. Pete Times Forum




7 Greensboro Coliseum
8 CAA

Hmmm... not counting the Rock.

1) Ottawa
2) Philly - the new building
3) Florida
4) DC (just too bland for my tastes, but I was not totally with it.)
5) CAA
6) Nassau
7) The Spectrum

Apparently I was at MSG when I was a little kid, but I don't remember it. I thought I'd
been in more buildings, but that's it.

1. The Rock
2. CAA
3. MSG
4. Nassau Coliseum
5. Maple Leaf Gardens

My Favorites, The Rock, I love the place in and out and Maple Leaf Gardens, something about that old brick building and it's history.

I'm also sorry to have never been to the Montreal Forum or the Spectrum in Philly, two arens I should have gone too.

1. The Rock
2. CAA
3. MSG
4. Nassau Coliseum
5. Maple Leaf Gardens

My Favorites, The Rock, I love the place in and out and Maple Leaf Gardens, something about that old brick building and it's history.

I'm also sorry to have never been to the Montreal Forum or the Spectrum in Philly, two arens I should have gone too.

You can still go to the Spectrum...to see the Phantoms.

Wow cj, you're either very rich or an airline stewardess ;)

Why can't she be a pilot? Is it because she's a woman? That's sexist and you should be ashamed of yourself.

I haven't been to that many.

1) The Rock
2) MSG
3) Verizon Center
4) CAA

I also don't get the fascination with MSG. It's very cramped, and the sightlines just aren't that good. You're much further from the ice than you are in the other three. The only reason I ranked it higher than Verizon is that the Verizon Center has no atmosphere.

Wow cj, you're either very rich or an airline stewardess ;)

Definitely not rich, and definitely not an airline stewardess or pilot!!

My goal is to see the Devils play in all the arenas before I turn 30, and as you can see, I'm over half way through by the end of the season (and I have a few more years to do it in).

Anyway, it takes a lot of time to plan these trips, frequent flyer miles, hotel points and rental car discounts! This is where I'm spoiled and my dad comes in and plans all the stuff and just tells me how much I owe him!

1) Air Canada Centre (Maple Leafs)
2) Maple Leaf Gardens
3) Nationwide Arena (Blue Jackets)
3a) Ohio State's rink (not NHL but it's just as good as one)
4) Joe Louis Arena
5) Phoenix Coyotes old rink (whatever it was called)
6) Mellon Arena (Pens)
7) CAA

1. GM Place
2. Air Canada Center
3. Corel Center
4. Saddledome
5. Pacific Coliseum

Anyway, it takes a lot of time to plan these trips, frequent flyer miles, hotel points and rental car discounts! This is where I'm spoiled and my dad comes in and plans all the stuff and just tells me how much I owe him!
Oh, I see now. Daddy's little girl, eh? :sarcasm:

I've been to Chicago's United Center, Buffalo's HSBC arena, and MSG. Buffalo's arena is amazing and I love their goal horn.

i don't know what my favorite is but i can tell you the worst arena ever:

1. The old Cap center, (in landover md) picuture CAA with less atomoshpere and bad sight lines

havent been to many, just the local guys and one not so local

the rock-lovin it so far and cant wait to see more there :yo:

caa-parking sucked, the walk of death tunnel sucked, the drive there from long island always pissed me off

msg-obviously due to my hatred of the rangers my opinions can be negative, but it is a nice place for a hockey game at times.

isles colliseum-first hockey game i ever saw was there and have fond memories of it as a child, but nowadays its a mess and im lookin forward to wangs new project.

turkuhalli(turku, finland)-TPS' place(saku koivu played there, along with other good finns). nice place, had passes before the game for the buffet, served a mean salmon with creamed potatoes. bar was nice too. pretty spartan tho compared to whats over here.

Definitely not rich, and definitely not an airline stewardess or pilot!!

My goal is to see the Devils play in all the arenas before I turn 30, and as you can see, I'm over half way through by the end of the season (and I have a few more years to do it in).

Anyway, it takes a lot of time to plan these trips, frequent flyer miles, hotel points and rental car discounts! This is where I'm spoiled and my dad comes in and plans all the stuff and just tells me how much I owe him!

j, ur dad rocks. tell him i said hi.

You can still go to the Spectrum...to see the Phantoms.

Wouldn't be the same without the Flyers/Devils playing, but thanks for the info.

Oh, I see now. Daddy's little girl, eh? :sarcasm:

I've been to Chicago's United Center, Buffalo's HSBC arena, and MSG. Buffalo's arena is amazing and I love their goal horn.

Apparently that's what some people think!!

j, ur dad rocks. tell him i said hi.

Will do!!

They are no longer there, but the Boston Garden for atmosphere stood out. Close behind was the old Montreal Forum. I've never made it to Chicago Stadium or the Maple Leaf Garden by the way.



Chicago Stadium was awesome. I got there twice, including the last Devils visit there. I sat one section over from where Messmer did the anthem. The atmosphere, the horn, etc. just gave me chills all night. Saw a couple games at MLG too, and that was also a great time. All of the old arenas were.

Best old arena: Chicago

Best new arena: St. Louis. Cavernous is an understatement for that place. Carolina also has a top-notch building.

1.The Rock
2.Scotia Bank Place - Ottawa
3.Bell Centre - Canadiens
4.Air Canada Center - Maple Leafs
5.St. Pete Times Forum - Lightning
6.Panthers - forget the name
7.Wachovia Center - Flyers
8.Mellon Arena - Pens
9.CAA
10.MSG
11.Nassau Coliseum

1. Prudential
2. Bell Center
3. T.D. Bank North
4. (name escapes me right now) Ottawa
5. CAA

I am ranking strictly on the building and it's amnenities, not atmosphere or fans...

1. The Rock
2. Bank Atlantic Center (Florida)
3. HSBC Arena (Buffalo)
4. Air Canada Centre (Toronto)
5. RBC Center (Carolina)
6. Meadowlands Arena
7. MSG
8. The Igloo
9. Hartford Civic Center
10. Nassau Coliseum
11. Capital Center (UGH)

I also think MSG is highly overrated. It can be noisy, but it can also be like a morgue on most nights. The only thing I think it has going for it is it's accessability. I complain about some of the seats in the Rock but I'd never give them up for any seat in the Garden.

As for minor league arenas...

1. Sovereign Bank Arena (Trenton)
2. Bridgeport
3. Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City
4. Knickerbocker Arena (Albany)

The only thing great about MSG is that you can get from your seat to the train home without going outside. When it is 4 degrees with a sub zero wind chill that is nice.

So....

1) Florida
2) Montreal
3) Atlanta (mainly because I know many of the tricks. now)
4) Toronto
5) St. Louis
6) Colorado
7) LA
8) Tampa
9) Dallas
10) Philly
11) Vancouver
12) Buffalo
13) Washington
14) Boston
15) Chicago
16) San Jose
17) Calgary
18) Anaheim
19) MSG
20) Pittsburgh
21) Nassau

I didn't count the Rock but it would probably be #2. Florida is just awesome. Designed so well.

I add Nashville next weekend.

1. Prudential Center
2. Bell Centre
3. Verizon Center
4. Wachovia Center
5. MSG
6. Nassau Coliseum
7. CAA

I'm planning on making trips to Boston & Atlanta this season to check out their arenas as well...possibly a few others if I can luck out on the timing of some meetings.

Centre Bell
"Rock"
MSG
Waco center (Philly)
SBP (Ottawa)
RBC (Canes)
HSBC (Slugs)
Verizon (Caps)
Hartford Civic Center (Whale):(
Spectrum but, not for Flyers Phantoms
Mellon (Pens)
BrendenIzodContinentalBryneCenter (good ****ing riddance):handclap:
Crap Center(Caps)
NVMC still fun but, a piece of **** though (its a loud barn and full of history);)

Minor leauges
Giant center Hersey Bears AHL
S/B arena AHL Pens (saw the Devils here in preseason).
Soverign Center Reading ECHL
SBA our T-Devs
Bridgport arena AHL Soudtigers
Pepsi Arena Albany Riverrats AHL (a little version of the BICBC) Also Board Walk Hall in A.C that was a neat place for hockey.

1. Prudential Center
2. MSG
3. Spectrum
4. Miami Arena
5. CAA
6. Mausoleum

Dallas is a nice arena, been there quite a few times, I also like their PA guy, such a distinctive voice, and their goal horn IMO is the best in the NHL.

of where I have been.

1. The Rock
2. belle centre
3. United center
4. the honda center

msg is over rated with ****** sight lines
CAA was a warehouse.

1. Honda Center (Anaheim Ducks)
2. Air Canada Center (Toronto Maple Leafs)
3. American Airlines Center (Dallas Stars)
4. ScotiaBank Place (Ottawa Senators)
5. Continental Airlines Arena (New Jersey Devils)

Hopefully going to add the Bell Centre (Montreal Canadiens) and the 'Rock' this year.

I haven't been to that many, but I'm working on adding a few this winter.

1. The Rock
2. Verizon Center
3. Giant Center (Hershey PA)
4. Capital Center/USAirways arena (Washington's old arena)
5. Continental Airlines Arena

1. HSBC Arena (Sabres)
2. Air Canada Center (Leafs)
3. Mellon Arena (Penguins)

1. Maple Leaf Gardens

2a. Madison Square Garden
2b. Bank Atlantic Center - FLA
2c. Prudential Center

3. Savvis Center - STL
4. Igloo - PIT
5. Wachovia Center
6. Spectrum
7. Continental Airlines Arena
8. Hartford Civic Center
9. New Boston Arena - This place couldn't be any more boring architecturally.
10. Nassau Coliseum

I hope to get to Washington soon.

If AHL arenas are included, Old Hersey Arena would be near the top of the list. That place was so steep you felt like you were on top of the ice.

philips arena atlanta
msg
scotiabank place ottawa
hsbc buffalo
rbc center carolina
the panthers arena in sunrise
united center chicago
st pete times forum tampa
sommet center nashville
verizon center (?) DC
wachovia center philly
boston garden (new one)
nassau coliseum
igloo pittsburgh
caa/meadowlands

hitting up mtl and tor to finish up the eastern conference this februrary! :)



...and i'm about to go to the "rock" for the first time this afternoon, so i imagine it will be near the top of the list

1) Prudential Center - New Jersey
2) Molson/Bell Centre - Montreal
3) Bank Atlantic Center - Florida
4) Air Canada Centre - Toronto
5) Marine Midland/HSBC Arena - Buffalo
6) Maple Leaf Gardens - Toronto
7) Madison Square Garden - New York Rangers
8) The Aud - Buffalo