The short answer
The best seats at a hockey game are at center ice, between the blue lines, roughly 10 to 20 rows up in the lower bowl. At that height you look over the glass instead of through it, and you can see plays develop at both ends of the rink. Glass seats in the front row are the most exciting, but they are not the best view of the game.
Height matters more in hockey than in basketball. The rink is long, the puck is small and the boards and glass sit between you and the ice. A little elevation turns a blur of bodies along the near boards into a readable play.
Glass seats and the first rows
Glass seats are the front row, pressed against the plexiglass around the rink. You hear the hits, see the speed up close and are in the frame of the broadcast. Some arenas sell them as a premium product with club access; at American Airlines Center, for example, row A of the Plaza Level is the glass row for Stars games.
The view has real limits. Play along your own boards is hidden below the dasher boards, the glass can reflect light and smudge, and the far end of the rink is hard to judge from ice level. Rows 2 to 9 share many of the same problems without the novelty of the glass. If you want to watch the game rather than feel it, go higher.
Where the home team shoots twice
Teams switch ends after each period. The home team attacks the same net in the first and third periods, so it "shoots twice" at that end, and the visitors shoot twice at the other. The second period is the long change, when each team's bench is farthest from the goal it defends, and it tends to produce more scoring chances.
For a home fan, the shoot-twice end is the better end-zone choice, because two periods of the home team's attack come toward you. Seating charts and seating guides usually mark it. Two independent seating guides place the Penguins' shoot-twice end at the section 106 to 108 end of PPG Paints Arena, and seating guides place the Islanders' at the section 109 end of UBS Arena. Teams can change their choice, so treat these as guides and confirm on the event map.
Sidelines, benches and penalty boxes
The two team benches sit on one side of the rink, and the penalty boxes sit opposite them. Seats behind the home bench are popular, but the low rows look straight into players' backs, coaches and staff. Seats behind the penalty boxes can be fun, with a close look at players serving time, but low rows there have the same problem.
On the bench side, choose a row high enough to see over the players standing at the bench. On the opposite side, center ice behind the penalty boxes is often slightly cheaper than center ice behind the benches and gives the same view of the game.
Corners, ends and the upper level
- Corners: a lower-bowl corner seat about 10 rows up sees the whole rink at an angle and usually costs less than the sideline. Avoid the lowest corner rows, where the curved glass distorts the view.
- Behind the net: the goalie's view. Great for watching shots and goalies, harder for judging distance and plays at the far end. Higher rows help.
- Upper level, center ice: the best-value seats in most arenas. From the first few rows you see positioning, line changes and power plays the way coaches do.
- Upper level corners and ends: the cheapest seats. Fine for atmosphere, harder for following the puck.
Arena design changes how far away the upper level feels. Two-tier arenas keep it closer to the ice; arenas with suites between the levels push it higher. NHL Arenas by Capacity lists every building.
Practical tips for game night
- Dress in layers. Arenas keep the air cool to protect the ice, and the lowest rows are the coldest.
- Arrive for warmups. Fans gather at the glass during pregame warmups, and many arenas let ticket holders come down to the glass before the game; check the arena's policy.
- Watch for pucks. Netting runs above the glass behind each goal, but pucks can still leave the rink along the sides. Pay attention when play is near your section.
- Check the event's seat map. Bench sides and shoot-twice ends are marked on most team seating charts; How to Read a Seating Chart explains the symbols.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to sit at a hockey game?
At center ice between the blue lines, about 10 to 20 rows up in the lower bowl. You see over the glass and can follow play at both ends.
What does shoot twice mean in hockey?
Teams switch ends each period, so the home team attacks the same net in the first and third periods. That end is where the home team shoots twice.
Are glass seats worth it?
They are worth it for the experience of speed and contact. For watching the game, a seat several rows higher shows more, because play along the near boards is hidden below the dasher boards.
Are upper level seats good for hockey?
The front rows of the upper level at center ice are among the best-value seats in hockey, with a full view of positioning and line changes.
Which end should I sit at as a home fan?
The end where the home team shoots twice, so two periods of home attacks come toward you. The team or arena seating chart usually marks it.