Getting cheap tickets to see the Montreal Canadiens play hockey at the Bell Centre can seem daunting, but with some planning and flexibility, scoring affordable seats is possible. As one of the most popular and decorated franchises in the NHL, demand for Canadiens tickets is always high, especially when rival teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs or Boston Bruins come to town. However, if you know where to look and are willing to be a bit flexible on things like seat location and which games you attend, there are deals to be found.
Look for Single Game Tickets
Rather than locking yourself into a partial or full season ticket package, focus your search on single game seats. This will allow you to cherry pick games that are less in demand and thus have cheaper ticket prices. Midweek games against non-marquee opponents typically have the most affordability. Also target rivalries on weeknights rather than weekends, and games early or late in the season when there is less hype.
Best Single Game Options
- Tuesday or Wednesday night games in October, January, February
- Marquee rivalries like Maple Leafs, Bruins, or Senators on Thursday nights
- Matinee games on weekends
Use Dynamic Pricing to Your Advantage
The Canadiens use dynamic or variable pricing, meaning ticket prices fluctuate based on market demand. When demand is low, prices drop accordingly. Monitor the ticket listings on the Canadiens website for price drops as game day approaches. The best deals usually happen within 48 hours of puck drop.
Shop the Resale Market
There are always fans looking to sell extra tickets or ditch their seats for games they can’t attend. Capitalize on this by browsing online ticket resale sites like StubHub, VividSeats, and SeatGeek. Resale tickets are risky since they may be overpriced or fraudulent, but reputable resellers offer buyer guarantees on valid tickets. Sort by price to find the cheapest seats and read seller reviews.
Average Resale Ticket Prices*
Section | Lower Bowl | Upper Bowl |
---|---|---|
Corner/End | $125 | $75 |
Center | $175 | $100 |
Behind Net | $100 | $50 |
*For regular season games against non-rival opponents
Beware of Counterfeit Tickets!
Fake tickets are a risk with resale sites. Purchase only from reputable high-volume sellers with near perfect ratings. Meet in person to complete the sale whenever possible. Inspect any hard tickets for signs of tampering like blurry text/images, uneven lamination, etc. For mobile tickets, only buy through the official resale partner of the Canadiens ticket office.
Sit in the Upper Bowl or End Sections
The cheapest seats in any arena are in the upper deck and the sections behind the nets in the lower bowl. Sitting up high gives you a great vantage point to see plays develop. The atmosphere is still lively with diehard fans. End/corner seats let you watch plays go from end-to-end at an affordable price.
Average Ticket Prices by Section
Section | Price |
---|---|
Upper Bowl Corners | $60 |
Upper Bowl Behind Nets | $75 |
Lower Bowl Ends | $100 |
Lower Bowl Corners | $125 |
Lower Bowl Center Ice | $200+ |
Obstructed View Seats
If you don’t mind a slightly obstructed view, check for tickets labeled as such. Obstructed view seats are behind pillars or under overhangs and discounted 20-40% typically. The hockey action is still easy to follow so these value seats are worth considering.
Join Student and Group Discounts
Students, youth, seniors, and other groups like military members qualify for discounted tickets to most games. Joining group and promo codes allows 10-25% savings off regular prices. Check the Canadiens website for details on joining.
Who’s Eligible for Group Discounts?
- Students enrolled in elementary through graduate programs
- Youths under age 16
- Seniors age 65+
- Military members and veterans
- Select corporate partners like Bell Canada
Example Student Ticket Savings
Section | Regular Price | Student Price |
---|---|---|
Lower Bowl Corner | $125 | $100 |
Upper Bowl Corner | $75 | $60 |
Upper Bowl Behind Net | $50 | $40 |
Buy Partial or Split Season Plans
Purchasing a partial season ticket plan for 10-20 games or splitting a full plan with others can reduce the per-game costs. You get access to ticket discounts, presale opportunities, and account privileges. The more games in the plan, the lower the average per game price. Consider going in on half-season plans with friends or family.
Average Per Game Cost for Partial Plans
Plan | Games | Avg Price Per Game |
---|---|---|
Half-season (lower bowl) | 22 games | $130 |
Quarter-season (lower bowl) | 11 games | $140 |
Flex 10-game (upper bowl) | 10 games | $80 |
Maximize Flexibility with Pick ‘Em Packs
For maximum choice, purchase a pick ’em ticket pack with a fixed number of games you can choose from during the season. Just select your games as the schedule is announced to tailor a custom plan.
Time Your Purchase Strategically
Timing your ticket purchase to align with promotions, pre-sales, and other events can produce big savings:
Best Times for Ticket Deals
- Black Friday/Cyber Monday – Up to 25% off deals
- Single game pre-sales – Access to tickets at face value before public on-sale
- End of pre-season – Prices drop when hype is lower
- Holiday/Christmas gift packs – Discounted multi-game bundles
- Last minute – Cheapest resale deals 24-48 hours before game
Create a Canadiens Ticket Alert
Use services like Ace Ticket Alerts to monitor pricing and get notified when tickets hit your target price range. Set alert thresholds on sites like StubHub and SeatGeek too. Buying at the right time can save big.
Attend Pre-Season and Rookie Games
Exhibition and rookie games lack the stakes and energy of the regular season, but they offer bargain ticket prices. Attending these contests lets you get in the arena for a look at prospects and try out different seating areas.
Average Pre-Season Ticket Prices
Section | Price Range |
---|---|
Lower Bowl | $30 – $75 |
Upper Bowl | $15 – $40 |
Rookie Game Discount
The annual Rookie Showcase doubles as a fundraiser with very low ticket prices. Upper bowl seating often starts under $10 per game making it very family friendly.
Conclusion
Scoring cheap tickets to see the storied Montreal Canadiens doesn’t have to be hard if you use smart strategies. Taking advantage of variable and last-minute pricing, sitting in affordable sections, joining discount groups, buying plans, and timing purchases around promotions can all yield big savings. With flexibility and diligent monitoring of the market, even fans on a budget can experience the thrill of Habs hockey live at Bell Centre.