🏛 Historic Stadium
The Montreal Forum stood at 2313 Sainte-Catherine Street West in Montreal, Quebec, and served as the spiritual home of hockey for more than seven decades. Built in just 159 days at a cost of C$1.5 million, it opened on November 29, 1924, and went on to house two NHL franchises — the Montreal Maroons and the Montreal Canadiens — before closing its doors as an arena on March 11, 1996.
Over its 72-year run, the Forum witnessed 15 Stanley Cup championships awarded on its ice, twelve of them for the Canadiens. It also hosted gymnastics, boxing, and basketball during the 1976 Summer Olympics, the site where 14-year-old Nadia Comăneci earned the first perfect 10.0 score in Olympic gymnastics history. No arena in North American sports carried a comparable concentration of historic moments.
Stats at a Glance
- Teams: Montreal Canadiens (1926–1996), Montreal Maroons (1924–1938)
- Location: 2313 Sainte-Catherine Street West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Opened: November 29, 1924
- Closed (as arena): March 11, 1996
- Final Capacity: 17,959 (hockey); 18,575 (basketball)
- Stanley Cups Awarded: 15 total — 12 for the Canadiens, 1 for the Maroons, 1 for the Rangers (1928), 1 for the Flames (1989)
- Olympic Events: Gymnastics, boxing, basketball, volleyball, and handball (1976 Summer Olympics)
A Cathedral of Champions
The Forum was synonymous with Montreal Canadiens dominance. The Habs won dynasty after dynasty on that ice, particularly during the 1950s run of five consecutive Stanley Cups (1956–1960) and again during the late 1970s. The crowd noise was legendary, and the tradition of silence for an opposing team’s first goal late in a season was treated by fans as near-sacred ritual. The building itself went through major expansions in 1949 and 1968, growing from its original 9,300-seat layout to nearly 18,000 by the time it closed.
The Forum also carried deep communal weight beyond sport. In 1937, the funeral of Canadiens star Howie Morenz drew over 50,000 mourners past his casket at center ice — one of the largest public gatherings in Montreal history. Decades later, the building remained a touchstone of Quebec cultural identity.
Final Game and Afterlife
The Canadiens played their final game at the Forum on March 11, 1996, a 4–1 win over the Dallas Stars. A ceremony followed in which legendary players passed a symbolic torch representing the team’s history. The franchise then moved to the new Molson Centre (now Bell Centre) across downtown.
Rather than being demolished, the Forum’s exterior façade was preserved and designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1997. The interior was converted into a Cineplex multiplex cinema and retail space, with upper floors later occupied by Dawson College. The building still stands, its marquee sign intact, though the ice is long gone.
Explore more: Stadiums Hub.
Montreal Forum FAQs
Why did the Montreal Canadiens leave the Forum?
The Canadiens moved out of the Forum in 1996 because the arena had aged and lacked the luxury suites and modern amenities needed to remain financially competitive in the NHL. They relocated to the newly built Molson Centre (now Bell Centre), which offered roughly 21,000 seats and modern infrastructure.
Was the Montreal Forum demolished?
No. The Forum was not demolished. Its exterior was preserved and it was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1997. The interior was converted into a Cineplex movie theatre and retail complex, with portions also used by Dawson College.
How many Stanley Cups were awarded at the Montreal Forum?
Fifteen Stanley Cups were awarded at the Montreal Forum in total — twelve to the Montreal Canadiens, one to the Montreal Maroons (1935), one to the New York Rangers (1928), and one to the Calgary Flames (1989).
Get More from Montreal Forum
log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Montreal Forum, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Photo: Michel Giroux / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.