How Much Does It Cost to Attend a Montreal Canadiens Game?

Before we worry about the cost of attending one of the NHL’s original franchises, it is good that we take a moment to recognize just how storied this franchise is. First, despite the Canadiens being one of the more average teams in the league, currently in 4th place in their division, they are also fourth in another statistic – the team that is in the greatest demand by fans to see on the road. The only teams ahead of them are the Blackhawks, Penguins, and Maple Leafs. Second, here is a fun fact. The Canadiens have an actual team motto adopted when they won their first hockey championship in 1915: “To you from failing hands we throw the torch. Be yours to hold it high.” If you step inside the team’s locker room you will see it in plain view on the wall. In 2018 they found another place for it – on the team uniform of every player on the inside collar of their jerseys.

Every person who attends a Canadiens game is participating in the next chapter of one of the NHL’s most storied franchises. Every ticket that is bought is a piece of history. OK, that might be a bit over the top – but you never know. Without further ado let’s get a quick look at what it costs for two people to attend one Canadiens game.

The Average Price of a Ticket is Above the League Average

Currently you will be looking at spending about $152 per person, making the total cost around $304 for two people. That may be a bit steep for some people, but compared to teams with less storied histories it is a bargain. The Maple Leafs are charging a traumatic $271 per ticket, while other Canadian teams such as the Winnipeg Jets are going for $164 a piece. On the Canadian low end of the price scale are the Vancouver Canucks at $96 a ticket if you want to travel across the continent to watch them.

Concession Prices Place in the Top 10 of NHL Teams

Since we already know it is going to cost you big just for a ticket to a Maple Leafs game, it’s not fair to compare concession prices with them. But even excluding Toronto, the Bell Centre is one of the ten most expensive places to have a couple of brews and hot dogs. The range for a beer is between $4.70 and $14.60 depending on the quality you want. There is a selection of hot dogs to choose from, but it is more than likely you will be paying $4.50 for one, $9 for two. That brings the total to between $$18.40 and $$47.20 depending on whether you want to live the high life for a night.

The Cost of Parking is Reasonable and Average

At $13.50 for a parking space reasonably close to the arena, it is really the least expensive part of attending a game. One catch is that to get the best spots and the best prices you will need to purchase a parking pass online considerably ahead of time, as the passes go quickly. Waiting until the last minute can move that price up to at least $25 or more.

The grand total for two people to attend a single Canadiens game is about $340. You may be able to get a discount on tickets when the losing teams come to visit and save $50 or more per ticket, and there are alternatives to beer and hot dogs, such as soda and chicken. But the safest way to plan to attend a game is to have a minimum of $400 available to account for unexpected expenses.

The good news is that the chances of you watching a very competitive contest where the outcome heavily favors a Canadiens win is high. They consistently put together very good teams and regularly make the playoffs. Also, you may be able to get in to watch a lesser team play in the Bell Centre for far less, so if you like lopsided affairs you have a good chance of seeing the Canadiens prevail with a minimum of effort.