When it comes to planning large-scale events – we’re talking many thousands of people – one of the main challenges is to find a venue that can handle your numbers. Fear not! Montréal offers large-scale options for even the grandest of gatherings. When you think big, we’ve got the venues to match.
Palais des congrès de Montréal
The Palais des congrès de Montréal is the city’s AIPC-certified convention centre. It offers flexible and functional facilities that scan 113 rooms that can fit thousands of visitors, offering virtually limitless configuration possibilities. Trade shows can accommodate nearly 2,000 booths, while the rooftop terrasse makes an ideal location for social events.
Maximum capacity: 13,384
Sample events: PCMA EduCon (2023), World Summit AI Americas (2023), COP15 (2022), Intermag Conference (2020), IEEE Robotics and Automation Conference (2019)
Website: http://congresmtl.com/en
Twitter: @Palais_Montreal
Olympic Stadium
Inaugurated for the Olympic Games of 1976, the Olympic Stadium hosts on average 2.5 million visitors a year. It has – along with the iconic Montréal Tower – become the international symbol of Montréal as a site for sporting events, salons, fairs, shows, exhibitions, film shoots, social events and more. Equipped with some 56,000 seats in the stands, it is the largest amphitheatre in all of Québec.
Maximum capacity: 56,000
Sample events: Major League Soccer games (annually), Jackalope (annually), Montréal Symphony Orchestra (annually), Dream Hack (2018), Artistic Gymnastics World Championships (2017), Olympic Games (1976)
Website: parcolympique.qc.ca/en/
Twitter: @parcolympique
Bell Centre
The Bell Centre is home to the beloved Montréal Canadiens hockey team. As one of the largest venues in the city, the arena is also the mainstage for the world’s biggest entertainers when they stop in Montréal (such as Beyoncé and U2). But it’s not just for hockey games and pop concerts. The Bell Centre can be configured into many different venues, covering every possible kind and size of show, from a private centre ice banquet to an intimate 2,000 seat operatic performance to a full-blown rock ’n’ roll concert.
Maximum capacity: 21,000
Sample events: NHL games (annually), Disney on Ice (annually), WWE Friday Night Smackdown (2023), ISU World Skating Championships (2020), live music
Website: centrebell.ca/en
Twitter: @BellCentre
IGA Stadium
The IGA Stadium hosts numerous sporting and special events, with the highlight of the year being the internationally renowned National Bank Open. This prestigious professional tennis tournament organized by Tennis Canada is classified as a Masters 1000 event on the ATP World Tour schedule. The IGA Stadium has a Centre Court (11,437 seats), Court 1 (4,517 seats),10 outdoor courts (hard) and 16 indoor courts (hard & clay).
Maximum capacity: 12,000
Sample events: National Bank Open (annually), Cheerfest Championship Montreal (2020), live music, corporate banquets
Website: http://stadeiga.com/en/
Complexe Desjardins
An immense public plaza surrounded by shops that is the ideal venue for corporate events, product debuts and fashion shows. Guests enjoy direct access to the DoubleTree by Hilton Montréal hotel, as well as Montréal’s beloved Underground City pedestrian network.
Maximum capacity: 5,000
Sample events: Montréal en Lumière (annual festival), fashion shows (annually), trade shows, fundraisers, product launches
Website: complexedesjardins.com/en
Twitter: @complexeDesj
Place Bell
Place Bell is a major multifunctional cultural and sports complex that has a 10,000-seat arena that can be converted into a performance venue – which includes 46 corporate loges. It has an NHL-standard skating rink, an Olympic-sized skating rink with a 2,500 seating capacity and an NHL-standard community skating rink that can welcome 500 spectators. Place Bell can host concerts, family entertainment and corporate events, complete with a commercial area that can accommodate shops on two floors.
Maximum capacity: 10,000
Sample events: Six Invitational (2023), Harlem Globetrotters (2023), live music
Website: placebell.ca
Twitter: @Place_Bell
Grand Quai of the Port of Montréal
Ideally located on the shores of the St. Lawrence River, the Grand Quay offers unique reception venues with multipurpose rooms, outdoor spaces, greenery and a walkway suitable for all types of events. The landscaped rooftop terrasse is an oasis of relaxation by the water, featuring 24,000 flowering and aromatic plants.
Maximum capacity: 3,000
Sample events: Igloofest (annually), Montréal International Triathlon (annually), Cirque du Soleil (2022), Terry Fox Run (2022), Riverside Yoga (2022), live music, corporate events
Website: port-montreal.com/en/grand-quay
Twitter: @PortMTL
Place des Arts
Place des Arts is a major performing arts centre, and the largest cultural and artistic complex in Canada. Located downtown, in an area known as the Quartier des Spectacles, the complex is home to the Montréal Symphony Orchestra, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens and the Opéra de Montréal.
Maximum capacity: 2,982
Sample events: Luminothérapie (annually), university graduation ceremonies (annually), Dita Von Teese (2023), Jurassic Park in Concert (2023)
Website: placedesarts.com/index.en.html
Twitter: @Place_des_Arts
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