Place Bell opened on September 1, 2017, in Laval, Quebec — a $200 million, state-of-the-art complex that gave Quebec’s third-largest city its first major arena. The facility serves as home to the Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League and is managed as part of the broader Evenko entertainment network that also operates Montreal’s Centre Bell. The main arena seats 10,000, with additional facilities including a 2,500-seat Olympic-sized rink and a 500-seat community rink. Designed by Lemay and CannonDesign, the building is modern from the ground up — no retrofitted hockey barn, but a purpose-built entertainment venue.
The arena features one of the first Nexo line array sound systems installed in a large North American arena, which gives it a notable acoustic advantage over older facilities of similar size. With the Rocket playing only 40 home games annually, the calendar accommodates up to 50 concerts per year through Evenko’s booking network — the same pipeline that feeds Centre Bell. The 10,000-seat capacity hits a sweet spot for mid-level arena tours and artists who have outgrown theaters but are not yet filling 20,000-seat buildings. Forty-six corporate suites and modern amenities throughout the concourses round out a polished concert experience.
Place Bell is located at 1950 Rue Claude-Gagné, accessible via the Montmorency metro station at the northern end of Montreal’s Orange Line. Laval sits directly across the river from Montreal, and the metro connection makes it reachable without a car from anywhere on the transit network. For Upstate New York visitors driving to Montreal, Laval is actually the first stop — closer to the border than downtown, with ample parking and none of the downtown congestion.
Place Bell is the newer, mid-size complement to Centre Bell, and for many touring acts it is the better room. The modern build, superior sound system, and 10,000-seat scale create an experience that feels both grand and connected to the stage. For Upstate concertgoers already making the trip to Montreal, checking Place Bell’s calendar alongside Centre Bell’s doubles the chances of catching a show worth the drive.