Stadium Journey's Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League Arena Ranking 2026
- Marc Viquez
- 11 hours ago
- 6 min read
The 2025-2026 Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League season has come to a close with the Chicoutimi Saguenéens winning their first championship since 1994. The Sags won their third Gilles-Courteau Trophy in six games over the Moncton Wildcats.
Stadium Journey’s annual QMJHL venue rankings have been released. Using the site’s FANFARE rating system, our writers evaluated the full game day experience at arenas across the league, scoring categories such as food and beverage, atmosphere, neighborhood, fan support, access, value, and any unique extras encountered along the way. The league’s average score this season came in at 3.73 out of a possible 5.0.
As always, these rankings reflect the combined perspectives of multiple Stadium Journey contributors and may not align with every fan’s personal list. We encourage readers to join the conversation on social media—how do your rankings compare? What did we get right, and where did we miss the mark?
With that, Stadium Journey proudly presents the 2025-2026 QMJHL Rankings.
Andrew Kulyk - Quebec invested in building a new, NHL- ready arena. Bold isn’t the word. This is a grand arena that not only swamps its peer venues in the Q for its stunning design, architecture, size, modern amenities, and fan-friendly spaces, but put this building into the NHL tomorrow, and it immediately rockets to a top six venue in that league.
Andrew Kulyk - Halifax in and of itself offers a superb vacation destination, albeit this region is more geared for tourism in the warmer months, and that means not so much during hockey season. Plenty of attractions, historic sites, a vibrant and bustling downtown, and this arena, which strays away from the mold of the quintessential rural “community rink”.
Dave Cottenie - The Wildcats were founded as the expansion Moncton Alpines in 1995 and played out of the Moncton Coliseum. After one season, they were purchased by local industrialist Robert Irving and renamed the Moncton Wildcats. For the 2024-25 season, the Wildcats have lured USports hockey coaching legend Gardiner MacDougall to take the reins of the team.
Dave Cottenie - The newest member of the QMJHL has hockey fans talking. There are high hopes for the return of hockey to Newfoundland, and the results are being seen at the turnstile. Hopefully, the Newfoundland Regiment will have a long and successful reign at Mary Brown’s Centre despite the travel challenges it brings to the league. Hockey on the Rock is a necessity, and Junior Hockey is the perfect fit.
Dave Cottenie - This old arena, named after the founder of the Sher-Wood hockey stick company, is now one of the model arenas in the QMJHL, and an example of what can be done to modernize an aging arena. New paint gave a fresh face to the arena, and new luxury boxes gave a fresh source of revenue.
Dave Cottenie - If you want to see what Québécois hockey is all about, make a trip to see the bedrock of junior hockey in Quebec. The Shawinigan Cataractes are a fantastic entertainment experience and a must for all hockey gurus. When in Shawinigan, you will most definitely feel l’energie!
Dave Cottenie - When travelling to Northern Québec, fans should want to get the true feel of the Québécois culture in the north. A trip to see Les Foreurs de Val-d’Or is an absolute must. An old-school hockey experience in a gem of a building, the Foreurs will provide a great evening’s entertainment at a cost that will shock fans with how affordable it is.
Andrew Kulyk - As a destination venue, Centre 200 in and of itself is not the kind of building that will make an indelible impression. It lacks some of the glitz that has become part of some of the newer arenas in the QMJHL. But what makes this a compelling and worthwhile travel experience is the totality of the destination itself. Sydney offers a lot to see and experience, even in the winter. Its location as a waterfront town provides a sense of wonder at the beauty of Nova Scotia.
Dave Cottenie - Having passed off the Rimouski Océanic to his grandson, Alexandre Tanguay, Maurice Tanguay must be proud of how his team has continued. The Océanic continues to be a solid franchise in the QMJHL and has continued to enjoy success on and off the ice. They are truly one of the best experiences in the league and were worth the trip to the south shore area.
Dave Cottenie - A trip to see Centre Georges-Vézina and the Saguenéens is truly a trip to see the church of hockey. An old school hockey barn that bleeds history and is a throwback to days of old, a trip through the Q is not complete without Georges-Vézina.
Sean MacDonald - The city of Gatineau awarded the non-profit organization Vision Multisports Outaouais (VMSO) the contract for the construction and management of a 4,000-seat arena, including three community ice rinks. The venue is now known as Centre Slush Puppie after naming rights were acquired by the maker of the “original non-carbonated frozen beverage treats enjoyed by millions of people worldwide.”
Dave Cottenie - The horns, oh the horns! They may not be the horns of justice or the horns of victory. They may only be made of plastic and cardboard, but the horns are a staple of Aréna Iamgold du Centre Dave-Keon. The building is as old school as they come and totally fits the Northern Québec area. If there is one thing that the hockey experience in this town should be known for, it is the horns.
Dave Cottenie - The Saint John Sea Dogs were founded in 2005. In 2011, they won their first Memorial Cup and, in so doing, became the first Atlantic Canada team to achieve the feat. The Sea Dogs would hang a Memorial Cup Championship again in 2022, as well as post the curious moniker “City of Champions” in the arena. It is undeniable that the Sea Dogs have enjoyed a great deal of success in New Brunswick.
Andrew Kulyk - While this arena and the hockey game day experience will not blow you away, what makes a trip to see the Charlottetown Islanders is not the game itself, but immersing into a cultural and tour experience that embraces the community and the region. Prince Edward Island offers charm and beauty that is so palpable.
Dave Cottenie - On the south shore of Quebec, nestled between Montreal and Quebec City, lies the city of Drummondville. A trip through the QMJHL will find Drummondville as one of the solid francophone franchises. It’s worth the trip to see an arena that is from a different time and a great group of fans who know how to be loud. The air horn is a favorite of the Drummondville fan, and they use it liberally. The fans that we met were very friendly and accommodating.
Dave Cottenie - Travelling through Quebec can be a bit intimidating for any Anglophone, especially in the smaller cities, away from the tourist areas of Montreal and Quebec City. However, stadium travelers should attempt to see real grassroots hockey the way it was meant to be seen in Quebec. The passion is there, and the price is right. In Victoriaville, they have the tiger by the tail, and the Tigres will put on a show for you.
Photo Courtesy of El Nomad
Dave Cottenie - You will not find a whole lot of bells and whistles at an Armada game. Simple. However, the product that they put on the ice is pretty good, and the atmosphere there is good as well. Don’t feel that Montreal is only about Les Habitants. Check out the Armada in the suburbs the next time you are there!
Unfortunately, Stadium Journey does not yet have a review for the Baie-Comeau Drakkar. If you are interested in writing a review for Stadium Journey, please contact us.
