Nationwide Arena and Capital One Arena rank second and third, respectively.
Amerant Bank Arena is the worst NHL arena for fans, with an index score of just 16.82 out of 40.
A new study has looked at which NHL arena is the best for fans, with Ball Arena ranking fourth.
The study, conducted by sports data experts Lineups, looked at all 32 NHL arenas to see which is the best for fans, based on four factors that are each given a score out of ten: the availability of dedicated parking, the price of a beer (USD), the walking distance to the closest public transport, and the walking distance to the closest external restaurant.
PPG Paints Arena, home to the Pittsburgh Penguins, is the best NHL arena for fans, with an index score of 38.47 out of 40. Based in Pennsylvania, a price of beer at this arena costs fans $7 and is one-minute in walking distance from the closest public transport, as well as one-minute in walking distance to an external restaurant. The arena scored 10/10 for its dedicated parking.
Nationwide Arena ranks second, with an index score of 35.65 out of 40. Home to the Columbus Blue Jackets in Ohio, this arena sells beer for $10.50 and is a one-minute walk away from both the closest public transport and to an external restaurant. The arena also scored 10/10 for its dedicated parking.
Following in third is the Capital One Arena, with an index score of 35.39 out of 40. Based in Washington, D.C., this arena is home to the Washington Capitals. The price of beer costs $11 for fans and is a one-minute walk away from both the closest public transport and to an external restaurant. The arena also has dedicated parking, giving the arena a score of 10/10 for this factor.
Based in Denver, Colorado, Ball Arena ranks fourth, with an index score of 34.94 out of 40. Home to the Colorado Avalanche, this arena sells beer for $12 and is a one-minute walk away from both the closest public transport and to an external restaurant. The arena also scored 10/10 for its dedicated parking.
Rounding out the top five is the Amalie Arena, with an index score of 32.41. Based in Florida, and home to Tampa Bay Lightning, a price of beer costs $8 for their fans and is a one-minute walk away from the closest public transport. The arena is also a two-minute walk away from an external restaurant and scored 10/10 for dedicated parking.
The top ten best NHL arenas for fans:
|
Rank |
Arena |
NHL team |
Index score out of 40 |
|
1. |
PPG Paints Arena |
Pittsburgh Penguins |
38.47 |
|
2. |
Nationwide Arena |
Columbus Blue Jackets |
35.65 |
|
3. |
Capital One Arena |
Washington Capitals |
35.39 |
|
4. |
Ball Arena |
Colorado Avalanche |
34.94 |
|
5. |
Amalie Arena |
Tampa Bay Lightning |
32.41 |
|
6. |
Rogers Place |
Edmonton Oilers |
31.40 |
|
7. |
Little Caesars Arena |
Detroit Red Wings |
30.93 |
|
8. |
Crypto.com Arena |
Los Angeles Kings |
29.91 |
|
9. |
United Center |
Chicago Blackhawks |
28.72 |
|
10. |
Bridgestone Arena |
Nashville Predators |
28.42 |
At the other end of the scale, Amerant Bank Arena, home to the Florida Panthers, is the worst NHL arena for fans, with an index score of just 16.82 out of 40 – a 56% decrease compared to PPG Paints Arena.
T-Mobile Arena, home to the Vegas Golden Knights, is the second worst NHL arena for fans, with an index score of just 17.33. Honda Center follows in third, with an index score of 17.96.
Speaking on the findings, Patrick Monnin, Managing Editor for Lineups said:
“Each factor examined in this study considers its fans’ comfort, making for an interesting comparison of which arenas prioritize fan satisfaction and enhance the overall NHL experience.
“The price of beer and parking costs can significantly affect the overall cost of attending a game. An arena with lower prices becomes more attractive for fans on a budget, while one with inflated prices might discourage fans from attending as often. Comparing these factors helps to reveal which arenas offer the best value for fans.
“Arenas that score highly in these categories can build stronger fan loyalty, as they demonstrate attention to fan needs and preferences. Fans are more likely to develop positive associations with arenas that make the experience enjoyable and affordable, fostering long-term loyalty and enthusiasm for the team.”
Sources:
NHL, Google Maps, Statista
Methodology:
All 32 NHL teams and their arenas were given an index score out of 40, scoring out of 10 for each of the following factors: