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Air Canada Centre
Category: Arts & Entertainment Stadiums & Arenas Stadiums & Arenas [Edit]
40 Bay StToronto, ON M5J 2X2
(416) 815-5500
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
40 reviews for Air Canada Centre
38 reviews in English
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Review from Johnny H.
Toronto, ON
5/17/2012 4 photos
Decent place for concerts. But it is poorly ventilated, and it can get really stuffy. And since it is a closed area, the loud sound can really hurt your ears. Furthermore the clarity isn't really that excellent in the venue.
If you ask me where I park, I just walk. I park around Queen/University and walk. It doesn't take that long. And walking is good for health. -
Review from Faye C.
2/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
I like going to the ACC - it's a fantastic venue. The reason for tonight's visit was seeing the Simple Plan concert. (who knew they sang so many songs!). Really fun experience.
As with any tourist attraction, it's expected that food, etc be expensive. The best deal is the Tim's Horton's. Prices at the ACC are the same as most other Tim's.
I'm with Tim S - there's really not a bad seat in the house...except maybe behind the stage.
When getting to the ACC - I try to take transit, as noted by others, parking is expensive and kind of nightmare, when leaving... -
Review from Rachael T.
Toronto, ON
2/14/2012
I love the air Canada centre....since it opened 10 and more years ago, I feel that they have expanded a lot, with their product offerings, food stands and just lots of different options for everyone. I have been here plenty of times and I've never been disappointed.
For valentines day, I decided to surprise S with tickets to see the New York Knicks vs. the Raptors...when I planned this, the whole Jeremy Lin factor was not yet insight, but now that there is so much talk about him and his crazy win streak, the more reason to go.
The only downfall to entering the ACC is that if you go through union station, you can get stuck waiting for the doors to open, not knowing if the lineup is even moving. So make sure you take a different entrance, squirm around to a less crowded line, or be patient and hope that the line gets moving.
Once you get it, it is smooth sailing... People are crazy selling game programs, 50/50 tickets and trying to give away raptors gear if you subscribe to the newspaper.
The attendants are helpful with helping you find a seat and even taking photos if you need assistance. If you are lucky, will you with friendly people who will cheer for the same team as you and not against. I was lucky enough to get lower bowl tickets where there was in seat service. My husband was so thrilled to be able to be served that he took advantage of this service, ordering several times.
The only thing that was a downer tonight was the fact that the raptors lost tonight. Up by 15 points and slowly letting the kicks climb back....by none other than LINSANITY. One of the best basketball games I've been to... Lin scored the winning three over my raptor- Jose Calderon with less than a second in regulation. It was absolute madness.
Happy VaLINtines day!!! -
Review from Tara Y.
Amherstview, ON
Great Venue..amzing to see Raptor's play
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Review from Monica F.
1/25/2012
I got kicked out of the Air Canada Centre a few years ago for smoking weed at an OZZY OSBOURNE concert. I'm not even kidding.
After that incident, I vowed to NEVER see a show there again, no matter how much I love the band. -
Review from Tim S.
Etobicoke, ON
Burkie's Hot Dogs! :)
I'm currently addicted to the Pizza Pizza Dog.
I am a seasons seat holder at the Raptors, and it is my mission this season to try every dog once. Even the Reuben, and i hate sauerkraut, ugh. (why do i make silly bets?!)
Great venue though, ive never had a bad seat.
Sure its expensive...welcome to mass public events in Toronto.
My only issue with ACC is parking. Such a ripoff in the lots nearby.
You can usually find $15 game night parking in the RBC Building, but be careful when you arrive. If it is before 6, you'll get dinged the parking rate for before 6pm, then the rate for after. So try to arrive right after 6.
Commerce Park is decent too, and is connected by PATH to the ACC. -
Review from Tina H.
1/11/2012
I had an opportunity to see a Leafs game for the first time at the ACC. They played Buffalo and there were some Buffalo fans in the crowd. It was warm during the hockey game! Wasn't expecting that. I was so old school I dressed for cold weather expecting to freeze the entire time.
Seats are kinda close to each other. Not only was the guy beside me big so his elbow kept touching my arm, but he was also picking his hands and bleeding everywhere, so it made it extra uncomfortable. I'm sure you'll have better luck than that as that's an extremely rare case..
It gets very busy and packed so lots of bumping and brushing into people. They change the escalator direction depending on the flow of traffic which I found pretty neat.
Nice, shiny venue. Up in the 300's and still didn't miss a thing. It's actually a good level to catch all the action. I can see how this would be a problem at a concert but it was good for the hockey game.
A bottle of water comes to just under $5 and they don't let you keep the lid for some reason.
You can tell a lot of good engineering went into building the ACC. The perfect venue other than the extreme price gouging on food and drinks. -
Review from Myrem D.
Mississauga, ON
2/7/2012
This Centre is a massive (665,000 square feet) indoor arena holding all kinds of events. Most major stars have their sellout concerts here. It's how you know you've made it big when you hold your show at the ACC. The arena is owned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd., the same group that owns The Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors.
The location occupies most of Bay street so it's really difficult to miss. Unlike most Toronto venues this place is direction and car friendly. Almost immediately off the highway, it stands with entrances from multiple directions. For pedestrian convenience it's connected to Union Station, the underground PATH, TTC's Union subway station and GO Transit.
The parking is a bit of a mission with the volume so I wouldn't bother trying to find parking close by. There's tons of lots within walking distance.
I came here for a leafs game few weeks ago.
First thing I feel walking in is how much this place reminds me of an airport. The ticket collection is a quick process and they don't hassle you much. I had been here for a concert before and it was pretty much the same type of feel -a crowded airport feel. rush-push-rush is the theme here.
I really dislike the seating because it's super super tiny. Your knees are cramped and the steps to walk to your seat are so small. This can be really dangerous when the lights are turned off for a show . I was surprised nobody slipped before,during or after the game.
The energy is magnetic. I love that no matter where you sit, you can see the entire place feeding into the energy. Plus, the Leafs won this particular game so you can imagine how positive the energy was. The beer/hot dog/chocolate guy/girl that came around were not pushy or annoying so it became all about the game.
Between each section, there's tons of food and beverage vendors. The bathrooms are between sections and easy to find. Just note :the line ups are long , especially during intermission etc.
Important yet FUN suggestions : Come early, pack some gum if you plan on drinking before or after the event because security is everywhere, don't bother buying anything from the vendors unless you want to over pay- if you go early, there's a few local bars close by (hoops etc), be prepared to be knee to knee with the person next to you - use this as a way to meet some cool folk who are there to enjoy the same thing you do ^_^ , (females) please hold your shirt down when you bend to sit or stand, the place is not heel friendly and floor tends to get sticky from all the spilt beverages : (males) chill out on the jersey shore hair gel,cologne and ogling : (couples) PLEASE hold the animal kingdom moves till you get home - super awkward when you block the way out forcing me to have to tap you on the shoulder, don't make faces at security (no matter what your friends say) and park far enough to miss the rush coming/going.
Otherwise, have an awesome time. ^_^Listed in: February Food-Free Challenge
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Review from Aviva S.
8/18/2011
I'm giving a review I wanted to read before I went to my concert in the 300 sections.
I was terrified that they would be awful seats. They aren't. ACC is truly good from all views.
I've also been in the 100's and they are great too. No matter what, there's always screens with close-up shots and there is less people than the GA section. Plus, you see the entire stage layout better.
All food and drinks are of course overpriced severely. -
Review from Jorge L.
Been to many shows here and like any show and arena, it's a hit and miss. The place is clean and the ushers are organized. The concession area is sometimes used for photo opp, merchandise sales (meaning, more $$$$ from you) and other marketing blitz. The last time I was there for Katy Perry show, Virgin Mobile sent a bunch of men in skimpy pink shorts.
They were supposed to be eye candies but my eyes were sore after that. It's the pink shorts guys... they're too bright.
Parking is horrible so take Toronto's slow "rocket", the TTC, if you plan to keep your sanity. Parking in the area can go up as high as $25 at certain events and you're not guaranteed a spot.
Sections 101 - 103 (may change) are the best sections to choose as these sections seem to be always facing the stage.
If there is one tip of advice: if you plan to be cheap and buy the cheapest ticket... bring binoculars. Or just buy the artist' CD because you won't see a thing. No kidding. The band will be as big as tiny dippin dots.Listed in: Where I Watch!
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Review from Eric L.
This is a premiere venue compared to some of the older arenas in the area. The seating areas are comfortable and not too cramped.
There are a ton of concession stands to choose from. Try Burkie's Dog House. They have a whole bunch of fancy specialty hot dogs!
The washrooms are generally clean.
Every time I go to a sporting or concert event I am generally pleased.
The only reason it does not get 4 stars is because the price of beer is just insane. -
Review from cat k.
Scarborough, ON
9/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
I fully agree the price for beer is ridiculous.. Even still two diet coke $9.50?
I actually usually avoid buying tickets to concerts at the ACC and plan our concerts at different venues like the Molson Ampitheatre becauase I think it's way more fun.
This time we went to watch the Leafs play so of course no other options. -
Review from Hideki K.
7/3/2011
Air Canada Centre is a really nice mutli-purpose sports facility for both hockey and basketball.
I had the opportunity to check out both an NHL Maple Leafs game and an NBA Toronto Raptors game, back in March. The nosebleed seats are really far away from the action. Even worse are the standing room tickets. If you go for a Raps game, moving down is easy, but for a Leafs game, good luck!
The footlong hot dog place here, "Burkie's Dog House" is decent. They have a nice selection of ridiculous hot dog topping combinations. I tried a poutine dog (I'm an addict to poutine). If you go late in the season, there won't be any beers on tap. On the flipside, there will be discounts for team gear in the gift shop. -
Review from Cameron O.
Toronto, ON
3/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
As you might suspect if you've read many/some/all of my other reviews, my perspective on spaces like this (entertainment venues) is rather skewed thanks to my jaded and bitter attitudes thanks to a long struggling career as a performer and my current streak of rampant unemployment.
I've been to the ACC only a handful of times. 3x was for the "friends and family skate" for employees. (No I don't work here). Once was in a corporate box for a Leafs game. (Which they actually won!) And the other time was as a performer backing up the likes of Il Divo. (It's strange to walk out on a stage to see 20,000 women (only women) all screaming before you even play a single note)
So as you can probably gather by now, my experience in this building has been "somewhat" different than the average sports-fan or concert-goer.
The pizza in the corporate box (which said Pizza Pizza on the box) was by far the best Pizza Pizza pizza I ever had. Normally I might say I hate Pizza Pizza pizza, Pizza Pizza pizza sucks! (Yes you can use the word pizza 6 times consecutively in one sentence and be grammatically correct!) But this was surprisingly different.
There were also some other tasty goodies ordered by my host which included some succulent ribs and a few other goodies. (I glanced at the box food/drink bill... it was over $500 and we didn't really have all that much.)
So I'd definitely go again as a customer if I can once again score a free ticket to a corporate box! And since I'm in desperate need of work, if I ever got hired to perform here again I wouldn't refuse. -
Review from Andrea Z.
Hamilton, ON
5/11/2011
Considering I am a huge concert junkie, I have seen numerous concerts at the Air Canada Centre including The Killers, Michael Buble, The Strokes and most recently Rammstein. I have only ever been seated in the 100's or on the floor, so I cannot comment about higher levels.
Overall, the venue is large, acoustics are decent and employees are extremely helpful. Not to mention, unlike many other venues, the bathrooms are clean! Though, the women's bathroom sometimes has massive line ups because some women do not realize that there is one in door, and one out door, causing confusion and chaos.
The food at the venue is superb! You can get Pizza Pizza, Tim Hortons, and more! However, the price is kind of ridiculous. Also, my only real pet peeve about the ACC is that when attending concerts recently, they no longer sell plastic cups that have free refills. Instead, the largest drink one can buy is a large, and refills will cost you extra.Listed in: Concert Chaos
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Review from Lindsey S.
Toronto, ON
12/30/2010 1 Check-in Here
It's the ACC....what can I say....it's big, it's pretty and it's the home of my Leafs! Go Leafs Go!
As Noel D mentioned, it replaced the Gardens.....a beautiful building with charm and history, so it is hard to compare this and give it a perfect rating.
With top of the line staff, great security and an atmosphere that builds your pride in your team - even if you're losing, is there any wonder why I rented it out a few years ago for a surprised 25th for an ex. It wasn't that expensive really - and no I'm not made of money.
The food is typical, the beer is over priced, but it's a sports arena....you have to expect to drop $100 walking thorough the door.
Every seat in the building has a great view of the ice or court, depending on the event you are attending and it's even great for concerts and comedy acts.
Overall - go check it out, even if you buy the cheap seats. -
Review from Marcus D.
2/23/2011
Excellent venue to see a hockey game - unless you were at the Leafs-Senators game - that game was worse than taking an overdose of sleeping pills, worse still because I didn't die.
Still, Leafs tickets are hard to come by - you will be surrounded by those who truly love hockey, and the Leafs.
Saving grace of the game was that it was Canadian Forces Night. -
Review from Wilhelm Y.
8/7/2008 3 photos
Every one of my visits to Toronto has included taking in a Toronto Maple Leafs hockey game at the Air Canada Centre. In fact I was in the crowd way back in 2000 when this arena in only its second year of existence hosted the 50th National Hockey League All Star Game. I usually sit upstairs in the upper bowl because tickets are more accessible, but I was lucky enough to sit in the lower bowl during a Canada vs. USA women's hockey game where Team Canada humbled Team USA 6-0.
The seats seem to be tiered steeper in the upper bowl so in the case that a taller person were to sit in front of you, your view of the ice is less likely to be blocked as much as if you were to sit in a premium seat downstairs. The giant scoreboard/jumbotron had long been one of my favorites in the NHL until San Jose's Sharks installed their new display in 2007. Concessions are pretty standard, but the Air Canada Centre does house three separate restaurants for fine dining. -
Review from Sandy K.
10/4/2009
I've been here for basketball games and concerts.
This is the nicest basketball arena I have been to - SO pretty!!!
I love the design and feel of the ACC - if only the Raptors were good :(
Go Leafs!! -
Review from Katya M.
Winnipeg, MB
10/19/2011
I was here back in March of 2007. I went for a concert and was in the 1 hundred and i forget now section. The view was great. And it was pretty much like being next to the stage. Chairs comfortable. It is a very big arena but well kept.
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Review from Michael U.
11/11/2009 11 photos
To a hockey fan Toronto is Mecca - the Hall of Fame, the Maple Leafs (no matter how bad they are,) Maple Leaf Garden, and the best fans in the world. While MLG closed many years ago, I did have the opportunity to visit it once before it closed its doors - alas, only for a tour and unfortunately not for a game. Subsequently returning to Toronto a number of times I have had the chance to see a game at the ACC and this year had the wonderful experience of sitting third row for the Hall of Fame Legends game - a charity event, but hockey none-the-less and featuring some of the greatest players of distant and recent memory.
To say that Toronto fans love hockey would be an understatement and to say they get to experience the sport in the best arena in the league would also be underselling the experience - sight lines, concourses, layout, design, team shop - even the entry way from the subway is fantastic.
It is truly an honor to be seated in the ACC with Toronto's fans, whether you're a Leafs fan or not. -
Review from Connie T.
Toronto, ON
1/5/2009
I've never set foot in the ACC until this past year. I hesitate to admit who I actually saw there, but I'll give you some clues: boy band. Yummy mommies. Late '80s/early '90s Beatlemania.
Obviously, my mind was clouded with euphoric goo-goo-ga-gas and the surrounding screaming of women in their mid-30s, so any opportunity to analyze the ACC was thrown out the window.
Having said that, the fact that I didn't notice anything bad was a good sign. I don't recall the sound being incredibly bad, and the group mob mentality of the audience actually helped in making me feel like I was part of something... huge. Also, despite being one of the biggest concert venues and me having seats directly opposite the stage, it was nowhere near as bad as my experience at the Rogers Centre.
(All right, all right. Jeez! It was New Kids on the Block. NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK!)Listed in: Get your gig on
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Review from Noel D.
4/24/2010
My 100th review on Yelp!
The ACC essentially replaced Maple Leaf Gardens, so right off the bat it was hard to accept this place as the new home of the Maple Leafs. Looking back none of that seems to matter anymore because now Toronto has a top-of-the-line arena to entertain the world with. I especially like the latest touches added to the ACC this past offseason, including a giant TV screen outside that fans can gather around if and when any of our teams make the playoffs.
The Air Canada Centre is great for basketball games. I have had some seats in the upper level and it's surprisingly comfortable, and you can see all the action going down on the court. I once had special tickets that allowed me to get private food ordering privileges, but I think in any scenario you are better off just getting up and walking out to one of the several grossly overpriced vendors. I managed to go to one Raptors game and spend almost $100 on crappy domestic beer. I believe the pint-sized glasses were $10 each, for Molson Canadian or some garbage like that. I do have to mention these gourmet hot dogs they have somewhere on the main level. They were relatively cheap (being hot dogs and all) but were so damn delicious. Probably the best value for your dollar food-wise at the ACC, especially because you get to load them up with some toppings.
I have also seen a couple of concerts at the ACC and the experience is what you would expect from an arena show -- I'm not really into that scale of concert in the first place, but chances are you're seeing a top act if they are performing here, so you will enjoy it and whatever the ACC can offer to make it a spectacle. Regardless of how courteous the ACC employees are, or how expensive the food is, it all comes down to what you're going to this arena for. If you're seeing a Raptors or Leafs game then that's all that matters. The presentation of sports must be on the same level as any other area in North America so you can't really complain too much. Seats are comfortable, everything is pretty much labeled for you and if you're willing to spend a bill on beer then you're likely going to have an amazing time.
Side note... ACC is attached to the subway system so it's incredibly easy to get there and back regardless of where you live. -
Review from Ethan R.
Courtice, ON
7/26/2011
Went to see a Metallica concert.
Very good show, didn't really get a chance to see the prices of food, and what not, but the venue is nice. -
Review from Erin H.
Toronto, ON
9/23/2008 1 photo
Being reared by the Winnipeg Arena I am inclined to go to a concert with the inflated hopes of hearing a voice or two amongst the intense reverberations of the amplifiers while cynically believing that most of the time these lowered expectations will not be met.
So when I had last row seats (I kid you not) at the ACC for my childhood loves the New Kids on the Block, I was happy just to know that they stood in the same room as me, even if I couldn't see or hear them. But oddly, I COULD hear them, not only that, they were loud and clear. Apparently my tastes haven't matured since I was making out with my Joey-Joe posters when I was 13 because when I actually heard them sing I got so weak-kneed I nearly fell to my death from our nose-bleeds.
Poor me, so in love and so far away from the NKOTB, but pity me not kind reader, I scored backstage passes from Danny Wood -- a munificent member of the New Kids --the night before. As good as the sound was in the arena, I won't lie, I could hear those boys better when we were face to face. -
Review from cailen s.
Oakville, ON
4/4/2009
As a sports venue it's top notch. The seats are comfortable and amply spaced apart, the reply screen is large and crisp and the sightlines are fantastic.
I've been to arena's in a few other North American cities and this is definitely the nicest. It's age (it was opened in 96 I believe) both helps and hinders it. It is in great condition but lacks a certain character that can only come with age, see: Madison Square Garden.
As a concert venue I pretty much hated it. It felt too much like a concrete playground and just killed the vibe. -
Review from Alex M.
Scarborough, Toronto, ON
7/6/2011
This stadium was opened in 1999 and has been around for 11 years now. I grew up with this stadium so I figured I'd write a review on it. The food is grossly overpriced and overrated but once again it is a stadium and they are all like this. Washrooms are cleanly and the halls are generally very easy to go around. Now the main part -- the game! I think this stadium is great to watch a hockey game but during a basketball game if the Raptors play a low card team, the atmosphere is dead. This is a decent stadium.
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Review from Todd V.
Toronto, ON
9/25/2008
I've had a ton of really good times at the ACC, which goes a long way given that this is where the Toronto Maple Leafs play. I'm an Ottawa Senators fan. So let's leave that alone there.
Firstly, I've not really enjoyed this place as a hockey venue. The top levels (i.e., the only seats that you'll be able to afford) make you feel totally far from the play, in no way as good as the last row Greys at the old Maple Leaf Gardens where as high as you were to the gods, you still felt like you were part of the action.
Where the ACC seems to get it right is the incidentals. The food services of all things are actually quite good, though keep in mind you'll typically be paying NHL-prices for what you're going to get. There's also the acoustics of the place. In the larger sell-every-seat affairs, the sound is actually quite decent. If you're lucky, the venue will be configured into the smaller theatre configuration where only a third of the arena seats are sold. This style of venue makes the place feel intimate and far from a stadium show. I saw Radiohead perform there in that venue configuration and still get giddy thinking about it. -
Review from Vanessa G.
Toronto, ON
9/16/2008 1 photo
I went to see Tom Petty here a couple months ago and it was amazing. I really like that the ACC is smaller than the Skydome because it makes for a more intimate concert setting. The sound quality was great - we didn't even have amazing seats and I felt like I was 10 feet away from him!
There's standard stuff that you'll find at any major concert or sports stadium applies here - overpriced food, over priced beer, over priced memorabilia. However there are a lot of things I like about the ACC - everything is very well posted. Lots of big signs in big lights to tell you where you're going. Also there are TONS of bathrooms - no need to walk 15 minutes and then stand in line.
There are always tons of attendants around to help you with questions or find your seat.
My only recommendation would be to leave a little bit before the show finally ends, because even though it's a smaller venue, trying to leave at the same time as 10,000 people are trying to leave is totally chaos. -
Review from Martin W.
1/10/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I have been here for many shows and events and have never been dissatisfied. The seating is good in just about every spot in the building. One of the better arenas I have been to. Its great!
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Review from S K.
Toronto, ON
11/22/2011
Great place! Always fun! I love the environment. I always enjoy shows there. Yeah, food and drinks are pricey, but what can you expect? Staff is usually pretty awesome too. Would definitely recommend it!
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Review from Greg F.
Toronto, ON
2/10/2009
I'm a bit of a traditionalist in a sense, so my review might be a bit bias as I loved going to Maple Leafs Gardens back in the day (the one exception being that the guys bathroom at the gardens was a round splash pad pond, and being a youngster I was a little intimidated at times!).
But time moves on, and so should I. Having been the son of a season ticket holder for more than 25 years, I have gone to a fair share of games (well except for the ones where I scalped the tickets to go out partying with my friends when I was younger!). The arena itself is a modern day amphitheatre with exceptional seating in most sections. The section I love the most is the 317 or 318 and as close as possible to the rail. Other great sections are the Blues or the Gondola. The problem is that you can rarely get tickets for Leafs. But Raptors games are pretty easy to get a hold of. The facility itself has all the amenities, private suites, overpriced restaurants - except for Tim's as they have to keep their pricing standard as per company policy. Overall you better has some cash to spend when you get here for the Leafs, Raptors or a Concert.
Overall the facility suits its purpose.Listed in: Guys Night Out!
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Review from Michelle A.
Toronto, ON
1/27/2011
I'm not a big sports fan, but I'm always up for an event where you get to drink beer from a sippy cup. My friend Kent P (shout outs) got free tickets, so I went too. We sat in excellent seats in the 100 level where they deliver food/beer to your seat. The beers are expensive ($10), but they have a decent selection - Canadian, Coors Light, Rickards Red or MGD. They also serve wine in the type of mini plastic wine glasses that you might find at the dollar store, and have plastic bottles of Smirnoff Ice (take note Laura T.). The food selection is much better than the Rogers Centre. There's Mr Sub, Pizza Pizza, Burkie's Hot Dogs, Edo Japan sushi, burgers and fries, Hagen Das bars, popcorn, cotton candy, snickers, mars, twix, m&ms, twizzlers (am i missing any?! - it's easy to memorize because the weirdo dudes who sells the treats sprints up and down the aisles about 1,000 times in a game). Other pros? It's connected to Union Stn, so easy to get to on the TTC/Go Train. The bathrooms were big and clean. The Raptors dancers were pretty good, but RapTOR (the mascot) totally stole the show in his bubble head outfit.
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Review from Mike S.
Toronto, ON
9/12/2008
I was not alive during the glory days of the Maple Leafs, but I still have a very special place in my heart for Maple Leaf Gardens, which is why it's very hard for me to like the Air Canada Centre (ACC). I agree that it is a much more comfortable place to watch a sporting event (whether is be hockey, basketball or laccross) but there is very little soul in the building or in the name. Like many major sporting venues the prices on the inside are ridiculously high and never worth the price. The one area that I think that the ACC is truly lacking is when it tries to put on musical performances. The ACC is a large cave where on any given night, large men compete very hard to put an object into a net of some sort. This is what it was designed for and this is what it should be used for they have sight lines and angles worked out for the most part and it doesn't really matter whether or not you can see Chris Bosh's face because he has a big number on his back. But if I want to see Thom Yorke's face it is very difficult indeed and not worth the price of admission. I realize that for the most part you have very little choice in where to go if you want to see the New Kids On The Block (Sept 18-21) or Janet Jackson (Sept 28), but that doesn't mean that you have to enjoy the heatless soulless venue. I can recommend this venue for sports, admittedly it has no soul, but that is something that venues earn and perhaps one day people will think fondly of the ACC, but I cannot recommend it for music because it is a cave and has no acoustics.
Like the review? Check out the link to my blog on my profile. -
Review from Nick C.
Toronto, ON
9/27/2009
As a hockey venue, this is as good as it gets (for a new arena...the Joe is still the best for obvious reasons). On top of great seating, there are HUGE beers to be had, which reduces the impetus to leave one's seat and they also have a mean poutine, or heart attack fries as I like to call them. Great entertainment value all around.
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Review from Andrew Y.
8/8/2008
Pretty nice venue. Went for a game between the Leafs and Sens. It was a Sens massacre, but I had a blast. Tons of people crammed into a small place when a hockey game is on. Subway let's out right into the arena. Anyway, I've also been for a Raptors game, but I fell asleep. Those of you who know me know my deal with watching basketball games. Anyway, look forward to more good times at ACC.
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Review from Anna V.
Toronto, ON
11/6/2008
This review is purely from a concert venue perspective. The Air Canada Centre (which also hosts the Raptors games when the basket ball season is on) is our biggest concert venue. This is where Madonna and Bruce Spingsteen play. Personally, I have never had a truly stellar experience at the ACC, but here are a few rules to follow to make your concert experience that much better. 1. If you're gonna go to a big show like this, just splurge on the good seats 10th row or closer, or the floor. Anything else is a let down and not worth the drive. 2. Go early to get the full feel of filing in with all the mega fans and letting the excitement build. Make it the feature in your night, not the thing you do before going somewhere else. 3. Bring a flask of booze cause they can get naziesh on where you can buy and drink beer and that can be annoying when you're trying to get smashed at a Tom Petty show. The general rule here is that the older the crowd, the more lenient they are, so you can pack a lot more booze to see Bob Dylan than Fall Out Boy. 4. Be prepared for crappy food with long lineups, little to no choice in beer selection and stupid lineups for bathrooms and smoking areas that are always on the other side of the venue from where ever you are at any given moment.
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Review from Leopold K.
Calgary, AB
3/26/2010
Air canada centre is truly an amazing sports arena, the behind the scenes tour is a must. There is so much to see and do, you also have the Maple Leaf museum, which tells the history of the greatest hockey franchise in the world. If you love sport or if you love hockey you must visit and feel the atmosphere within these four walls.
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