How Much Is Parking at Bell Centre?
Parking at Bell Centre ranges from $20 to $45 CAD depending on the event, with Canadiens game nights sitting at the top of that range.
The official Bell Centre Garage charges a fixed event-night rate starting at noon. On non-event weekdays, the garage runs a flat daily rate of $20 CAD. For Canadiens games specifically, the on-site garage rate is typically $29–$45 CAD. Off-site garages within a few blocks of the arena — such as the 1250 René-Lévesque Garage — can start as low as $10 on evenings and weekends, making them a strong budget alternative.
All prices listed are in Canadian dollars. The Bell Centre Garage accepts debit and credit cards only — no cash is taken at the gate. Prices are subject to change by event, so checking rates before game day is recommended.
Bell Centre Parking Lots and Maps
Bell Centre’s primary parking structure is located directly adjacent to the arena, with several off-site garages filling the nearby downtown blocks.
The main Bell Centre Garage sits at 1225 Rue Saint-Antoine Ouest, just a one-minute walk from the arena doors. The garage has two levels: Level A with a height clearance of 6’10” and Level B with a clearance of 6’3″. Pickup trucks and oversized vehicles are not permitted during hockey games, so drivers with large vehicles must seek street-level alternatives nearby.
Off-site options within a short walk include the 1250 René-Lévesque Garage, the Windsor Station Garage, the Montreal Canadiens Courtyard Garage, and the Le 1000 De La Gauchetière Garage on de la Cathédrale Street (exit on Mansfield Street). Le 1000 offers event-night rates of approximately $25 CAD starting at 5 p.m. on weeknights and is just steps from the arena. Fans arriving by car from the highway should use Route 720 (Autoroute Ville-Marie) and take Exit 4 at Rue de la Montagne/Rue St. Jacques.
Preferred/Premium Parking at Bell Centre
The closest and most convenient parking to Bell Centre is the official Bell Centre Garage underneath the arena, which commands premium event-night pricing.
For Canadiens games, the on-site garage typically charges around $29–$45 CAD — the highest rate in the area — but offers the shortest walk to any arena entrance. Fans who reserve a luxury suite through the Canadiens organization receive two complimentary parking spaces included with the suite package.
Pre-purchasing a parking pass through platforms like Best Parking is the best way to secure a spot at the Bell Centre Garage before it fills up, particularly for high-demand games. The on-site garage holds only around 400 vehicles and sells out fast for playoff-caliber matchups, so advance booking is strongly advised for premium spots.
Free Parking Near Bell Centre
Fully free parking directly near Bell Centre is limited given the arena’s downtown Montreal location, but budget-conscious fans have workable options.
Street parking does exist in the surrounding blocks between Guy and University streets and between Sherbrooke and René-Lévesque, though meter enforcement and event-night restrictions eliminate most free spots on game days. The closest free parking identified by parking aggregators is near 1101 Rue Stanley, though availability during Canadiens games is not guaranteed.
The most reliable budget strategy is to park at a Metro station outside of downtown — such as the Namur station — and ride the Orange Line to Lucien-L’Allier or Bonaventure. This avoids downtown parking costs entirely and is a common approach for local fans. Always remove all valuables from your vehicle when parking in any unsecured outdoor lot.
Can You Tailgate at Bell Centre?
Tailgating is not permitted at Bell Centre for Montreal Canadiens games.
The arena’s downtown location means there are no surface tailgating lots, and the official Bell Centre Garage does not allow pre-game tailgating. Canadiens fans looking for a pre-game atmosphere should head to the surrounding bars and restaurants along Rue Sainte-Catherine and the nearby streets, many of which are within a one- to two-block walk of the arena.
The Canadiens-de-Montréal Avenue in front of Bell Centre is a pedestrian-only street, which makes the block lively before games but still does not permit traditional tailgating setups. Plan your pre-game festivities at one of the many nearby pubs and sports bars rather than the parking structure.
ADA and Handicap Parking at Bell Centre
Bell Centre provides dedicated accessible parking inside the official garage on Level B, Section B113.
The arena has 58 wheelchair-reserved seating areas available for every game, with wheelchair accessible seating located on Level 100 (red), Row N, which has direct access to street-level doors. Each guest using a wheelchair may be accompanied by one companion. Fans with functional mobility limitations can contact Bell Centre customer service at 1-877-668-8269 for assistance with accessible ticket and parking arrangements.
Note that pickup trucks and vehicles with studded tires are not permitted in the Bell Centre Garage at any time, including for accessible parking. Fans with oversize mobility vehicles should call ahead to confirm suitable accommodation before arriving on game day.
Uber and Lyft Drop-Off at Bell Centre
The designated rideshare pickup and drop-off zones for Bell Centre are located near St. Antoine Street and Mountain Street, providing direct access to the arena’s main entrances.
Dropping off via rideshare is one of the smoothest ways to arrive for a Canadiens game since it bypasses the downtown parking crunch entirely. Both Uber and Lyft operate in Montreal and service Bell Centre on event nights. After the game, rideshare demand surges and wait times and surge pricing both increase significantly.
To reduce post-game wait times, fans should consider walking two to three blocks away from the arena before requesting their ride, or linger at a nearby restaurant or bar until the initial crowd clears. Always confirm the driver’s license plate and name in the app before getting in.
Public Transit to Bell Centre
Public transit is the most efficient way to reach Bell Centre, with two STM Metro Orange Line stations within a five-minute walk of the arena.
The Lucien-L’Allier station is the closest Metro stop and is connected to Bell Centre through an underground tunnel — ideal for cold Montreal winter nights. The Bonaventure station, also on the Orange Line, provides direct enclosed access to the arena and is additionally served by the REM (Réseau Express Métropolitain) network. Fans on the Green Line who prefer not to transfer can exit at Peel station and walk approximately half a mile. The Orange Line runs every 3 to 10 minutes on weekdays and every 6 to 12 minutes on weekends.
Several STM bus routes also stop near Bell Centre, including Routes 36, 61, 107, 150, and 178, with Lucien-L’Allier being the main bus hub on event nights. A single Metro or bus fare costs $3.50 CAD. Fans coming from farther out can park near any Orange Line station outside of downtown and ride in, keeping parking costs low while avoiding game-day traffic.
Bell Centre Parking Tips
Arriving early and booking in advance are the two most important moves for stress-free Bell Centre parking on Canadiens game nights.
The Bell Centre Garage opens at noon on event days and fills up well before puck drop, especially for sold-out games. If you want the official on-site garage, reserve your spot online ahead of time through Best Parking or a comparable aggregator. Game-night rates lock in as of noon, so arriving after 5 p.m. without a reservation risks finding the garage full.
For the best balance of cost and convenience, the 1250 René-Lévesque Garage and Le 1000 De La Gauchetière Garage are the top off-site picks — both are a short walk from Bell Centre and priced lower than the on-site structure. Drivers with pickup trucks must use off-site surface lots, as trucks are prohibited in the Bell Centre Garage during hockey games. For fans coming from out of town via Route 720, Exit 4 at Rue de la Montagne/Rue St. Jacques drops you directly into the arena neighborhood. Taking the Metro from a suburban Orange Line station remains the cheapest and fastest option on a sold-out night.
