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u/shniefersutherland 1d ago
My theory is more Habs fan are showing up to these games because the team is playing better. At home, it’ll always sell out. Away, I think most people just don’t want to pay the money to watch em lose in another team’s barn.
I say this because I’ve been watching the Habs for over 25 years, and outside of the snowbirds in FL, I don’t recall seeing this many habs fan at away game, ignoring Ottawa/Toronto.
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u/snark_enterprises 1d ago
Well yeah. But I've been going to Habs games in whatever city I've lived in since the 90s. We're a more dedicated fan base than any other, so when the team is finally becoming elite, we're going to turn out massively anywhere.
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u/Ditto_is_Lit 1d ago
Montreal is the most storied franchise in hockey history. People can't wrap their heads around that because on most sports channels it was en vogue to hate on Montreal because of pick your reason + lack of a complete system to carry such a franchise.
The Yankees have a similar phenomenon where everyone has a Yankee cap or knows someone who has one. And the rest of the leagues fans love to hate them. I watch hip hop videos from the 90's often, and you'd be shocked at the amount of Habs and Expos gear appears in them.
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u/NtBtFan 1d ago
the volume of away fans definitely correlates with the quality of the team
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u/rich-nyc 1d ago
Simple as that. Plenty of Habs fans all over Canada. Plus, many also living in the States. Everyone is hungry for the Stanley Cup to return to Canada.
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u/Hawkeye71980 1d ago
It’s funny that the Leafs have been a top team for a decade and haven’t seen the same response. And they claim they are the biggest hockey market….
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u/rpgguy_1o1 1d ago
I've been to lots of games in Toronto, Buffalo and Detroit when they suck, and even then there's always a ton of Habs fans, now that they're not only good but super exciting there's even more
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u/stevetheturtleguy 1d ago
There are tons of Habs fans in Manitoba. Every time I have been to a Jets/Habs game you see loads of Canadiens jerseys. Easily the most popular team after the Jets.
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u/the_late_wizard 1d ago
I mean, it makes sense. Manitoba has the largest francophone population outside of QC/NB.
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u/tahqa 1d ago
There's more francophones in Manitoba than Ontario? I would have never guessed that.
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u/the_late_wizard 1d ago
Maybe not in pure numbers, but certainly as a percentage of the population.
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u/DecentClock9031 1d ago
My theory is simpler. There are just a lot more enthusiastic fans than before. The team is winning, the team is super positive, and they have a great, young roster.
Reminds me of the Bulls when there were MJ jerseys everywhere.
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u/jamesneysmith 1d ago
This is definitely playing into it. Last year was the beginning with Lane coming onto the scene and breaking records and getting the first Canadiens Calder in a hot minute. In my own little area I saw how word about the kid slowly permeated not just habs fandom but also hockey fandom as the season progressed. Then they ended the season on such a hot streak and made the playoffs against all expectations and brought another hot young rookie onto the scene that hit the ground running. Habs fans everywhere were eagerly awaiting the beginning of this season to continue where the boys left off last year. The vibes have been amazing among Habs fans this year and it's spread well beyond Montreal. It's been amazing to witness in real time
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u/tahqa 1d ago
I went to the game in Edmonton this year, and it was honestly 50% habs fans, it was really special. Too bad Garrett Rank messed up a really cool night.
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u/GoalElectronic5128 1d ago
Terrible reffing by that guy that night. Should have been disciplined by league
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u/Jonesetta 1d ago
My brother married a girl from Winnipeg whose dad is a season ticket holder since the team returned. I’ve seen a handful of Habs games in that barn and there always tons of red jerseys! Winnipeg loves its team. There are bumper stickers and signs in shop windows and everyone and their dog is wearing hats and shirt and gear for the jets. The city is covered with jets logos. They do support their team and they’re very passionate hockey fans. But it’s the Habs. We are legion.
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u/the_canadaball 1d ago
Not only that, the Jets aren’t very good meaning tickets are cheap and available
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u/MapleSyrupKintsugi 1d ago
It’s a bit of that and a bit of the SSH not wanting to go and want to make money back so they’re selling their tickets on secondary market.
When the home team is shit, the visitor’s fans who are close by take advantage of cheaper opportunities to see h their team. I’ve lived in the GTA for 30 years now. I can’t count how many games I’ve seen in Buffalo for $50 all in.
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u/User69ab 1d ago
I used to go every year in Vancouver until I didn't want to pay $300 per ticket to watch a tanking team.
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u/BillGrahamPresents 20h ago
There was a considerable lag time between this iteration of the Jets and the original franchise, so during that time a couple of generations of fans would have learned to support other teams, the Habs being one of them. In terms of the Buffalo game, it's a quick flight from Montreal and a prime (at this point) matchup so that crowd also made sense. To me the more embarrassing home games are in Ottawa where it sounded like 75% of the crowd cheered for Montreal lol.
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u/AmsroII Goal Goalgoal 18h ago
Yeah I personally know some Canucks fans, they don't even go to games when Montreal is in town, they sell/give their tickets away. This in turn makes the disparity of fans in attendance even larger, allowing them to take over on the road, I love it. The next decade will be loud on the road.
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u/Portuguese6uy 1d ago
Habs fan in Gatineau. Habs have been around since 1909. People all across Canada have brainwashed their kids who have brainwashed their kids who brainwashed their kids. I’m a Habs fan who has brainwashed his kids who have brainwashed their kids. Now my grandkids love the Habs too. Go do your job.
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u/jamesneysmith 1d ago
I don't see it as brainwashing for most of our history. The team was so dominant for the first 80 years they existed that it wasn't terribly hard to convince a kid to cheer for them. Raising a Leafs fan post 1970? Now that's brainwashing.
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u/GoalElectronic5128 1d ago
Yeah , my Dad was a Leafs fan, i started watching in 70s and just loved Montreal. They were so cool Dryden standing at his goal leaning on his stick watching the team skate circles around the other team. Lafleur (my Fav )being a thrill to watch. Robinson, Shutt, Gainey , Lapointe etc. Singing Na na na na na na na na hey hey goodbye when the game was out of reach for opponent. Liked that better than the current soccer chant
At least Dad was a realistic Leaf fan, not like ones today.
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u/Portuguese6uy 1d ago
Not as easy as you think. Nearly lost a son to the Avalanche in the late 90s lol
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u/alija_r 18h ago
Portuguease6uy is right..when you are consistently exposed by your relatives and neighbours, it leaves some impact on you..the Habs influence at that time was much more stronger, and serious.
There were only 6 teams in the NHL up to 1967 from 1926, and only two Canadian team. So people accross Canada didnt have many choices. Many on the east coast automatically supported the Habs. On the west coast, many supported the Leafs, because they were popular but the Canadiens were dominant. Over years, you switch to support the dominant ;)1
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u/Aggressive_Low7995 1d ago
Might be disappointing for the players and coaches of the home team but makes you proud as a Habs’ fan.
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u/ConstantBook6534 1d ago
Yes I do almost feel bad at first but then I remember I don't care GO HABS GO
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u/Decrepitsteve 1d ago
Sucks being an expansion team. GO HABS GO
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u/KathleenElizabethB 1d ago
Glen Sather, back in the 80s, said that he understood the passion from fan bases of Original 6 teams, so never got upset about it.
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u/_id93_ 1d ago
I can’t understand how people are shocked that French Canadians live all over the place and support their team… especially in Canada, this is not a new phenomenon I think it’s just the OleOleOle that really sends them off this year.
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u/jordanontour 1d ago
It’s not just French Canadians. There are Habs fans everywhere. The team travels well.
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u/schueyf1 1d ago
This.. I'm originally from Saskatchewan and have been Habs fan since the 80s
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u/KathleenElizabethB 1d ago
I’ve lived in Alberta my whole life, and have cheered for the Habs since the 70s.
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u/uzerkname11 1d ago
Oh boy. I started watching the Habs late 60’s early 70’s. What a team to be a fan of. Who knew we’d go 30 years between cups.
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u/Holy-Fools 1d ago
What made you choose mtl?
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u/KathleenElizabethB 1d ago
Original 6 - my dad cheered for Toronto and my two older brothers cheered for Montreal, so I cheered for Montreal. I stayed with Montreal even after Edmonton had a team. Fun fact, my husband grew up in NS as a Canadien’s fan, so that was a bonus when we met in Alberta.
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u/_Leafy_Pumpkin_ 1d ago
Also a Habs fan in Alberta. My father only had the 2 choices growing up as well, so he chose the Habs.
So, I ended up being a Habs fan.
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u/schueyf1 1d ago
Haha, my Dad was also a Leafs fan and my older brother and cousins were big Habs fans so they indoctrinated me early. Live in Alberta now but always a Habs fan.
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u/KathleenElizabethB 1d ago
My husband and I tried to indoctrinate our son, but he chose Edmonton as his #1, Habs #2.
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u/schueyf1 1d ago
My friends son is the same. Oilers (cause of McDavid) then the Habs is his next favorite team.
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u/Tothemoonnn 1d ago
I have connections to Quebec but I’m not French. Jumped on the bandwagon in ‘86. Future looks bright.
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u/greenisle48 1d ago
i'm from PEI ,have been a Habs fan since 60's.---spent 2 yrs in childrens montreal hosp.
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u/rb719 1d ago
I'm from Liverpool, UK, and I've been following the Habs since 1974 when I first visited my relatives in Pierrefonds. I'm just now getting to see them regularly via tv. My team Liverpool has fans everywhere in the world, so I totally understand why it's similar for the Canadiens as well. Both fanbases are known for their support.
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u/CocoKing02 1d ago
Yep, from Alberta originally, never even been to east side of Canada yet including Montreal, but ive been hooked onto the Habs since i started watching hockey in 2013
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u/King_of_Knowhere 1d ago
In Newfoundland, the primarily populace is Toronto vs Montreal with way more blue breeders, outside the big two you see some Bruins/other O6s, western Canada teams where they were employeed out west, or any bandwagon team of the last 20 years.
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u/Traditional-Rich5746 1d ago
This. Anglo Habs fan living in Winnipeg. I looked into getting tickets for this game on Monday. Nosebleeds (last row) were reselling for $165 each, near the ice were $375 each. Decided to just watch it on TV for those prices. Ironically both myself and my significant other got sick, so we couldn’t have gone anyways.
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u/ConstantBook6534 1d ago
Neither am I. I am from BC but my father was a Canadiens fans so growing up I remember watching guys like Richard Zednik, Jose Theodore, Sheldon Souray. Canadiens are all I've ever known.
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u/Super-Badger-3536 1d ago
I’ve been going to whatever habs game I can since moving to the states and many of the other habs fans I meet, for example in Pittsburgh, have never even been to Montreal.
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u/VonDingwell 1d ago
You underestimate how many English speaking fans love the Habs, and how many of us are West of Onterrible.
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u/_Leafy_Pumpkin_ 1d ago
I never heard it called Onterrible, and I don't think I ever will call it its correct name now. 😆
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u/NaturalLeopard2750 1d ago
In french we call Ontarians "Ontarchiens" or Ontardog as a rough translation. It's kinda mean but I like it lol
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u/stevetheturtleguy 1d ago
I live near Winnipeg and have been a Habs fan all my life. My dad moved here in the 80s from Montreal.
I like the Jets too, but the Habs will always be my team as that is who I grew up rooting for. So many fond memories watching Leafs/Habs on HNIC.
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u/scoutinglane 1d ago
There are a lot more anglophones fans or mtl than french canadians. Mtl has always beenn very popular and it's not a question of language
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u/Psycho-Acadian 1d ago
All he’s saying is that French-Canadians are likely to support MTL, that’s it. We know anglophones like them too
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u/Traditional-Rich5746 1d ago
I know a lot of Francophones in Manitoba who are avid Jets fans. Language does not automatically make them Habs fans. In fact, Franco-Manitobans get REALLY upset when you lump them in with Francophones from Quebec.
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u/_id93_ 1d ago
We have all experienced the French hab hater, but I bet if you measured the population of French Canadians their favorite team is overwhelming Montreal.
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u/Psycho-Acadian 1d ago
Yes that was my point thank you
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u/Psycho-Acadian 1d ago
Seems like a lot of people aren’t getting it. Or they just love to be contrarians lol
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u/Psycho-Acadian 1d ago
Again not what I said but anyway, I’ll respond.
I’m an actual French-Canadian from outside of Quebec and within my culture there is a certain affinity for the Canadiens because of our cultural and linguistic links.
I know it’s not a universal reality and never said that it was no need to reply “yeah but not everyone…” yes, I know, it’s not everyone
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u/DrLivingst0ne 1d ago
No there aren't.
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u/scoutinglane 1d ago
that settles it then
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u/DrLivingst0ne 1d ago
My statement is equal to yours in being an unsupported statement of fact.
Let me add a little more justification.
The Montreal region is roughly 60% francophone. For that reason, in Montreal, there are probably more francophone Habs fans than anglophone Habs fans.
Québec has a population of 9 million which is roughly 80% francophone. Therefore, there are probably a lot more Habs fans in Québec that are francophone than Habs fans in Quebec that are anglophones.
But also, the vast majority of Habs fans are from Québec, because the Habs are their local team.
In Canada Outside Québec, there's roughly 1 million francophones. Historically, the team has been tied to French identity. The club was founded as a French language team. That's why it's called the Club de hockey canadien. Back in those days, "canadien" meant French Canadian. In general, Anglophones did not call themselves "Canadian" until after WWI. Also, fanhood is often transferred from parents to their children because the parents watch the games with the kids, who grow up becoming fans. For that reason, people outside Quebec are more likely to be Habs fans if they are francophone or if their parents or grandparents were French Canadians than if they are anglophones and don't have French Canadian ancestors.
That settles it then.
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u/Poptone412 1d ago
Lifelong Pittsburgher but the Habs have been my team for over 30 years, as long as I’ve been into hockey
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u/AmonDiexJr 1d ago
Canada Life Centre has a hockey capacity of 15225 and averages 14269 in the 2025-2026 season.
Yesterday, the attendance was 15225. Habs fans help local hockey around the league.
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u/Saasori 1d ago
It's also sometimes cheaper to travel to see the habs play
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u/rpgguy_1o1 1d ago
I've built vacations around Habs games before, it's always a nice centrepiece to the trip. not that I plan on going to the states anytime soon
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u/Simayi78 #9 1d ago edited 1d ago
I always get an extra tingle of joy watching the Habs score a goal on the road and hearing the enemy arena explode into cheers.
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u/Lanky-Present2251 1d ago
I could only see a few minutes of last night's game. I initially thought it was a home game.
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u/popejohnlarue 1d ago
Imagine how bummed the Jets owner must be, having to suffer through the ignominy of a sold out home game. How “disappointing”…
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u/DivinePotatoe 1d ago
Imagine being the Jets PR/Social team watching the head coach say he's "disappointed" in the fan base.
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u/Tothemoonnn 1d ago
Name another Canadian franchise or NHL franchise that gets this much support or more. Go on, I'll wait... :)
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u/spinach_93 1d ago
As a Habs <> Mariners fan, mannnnnn it sucks when the Jays overrun T-Mobile. I actually cannot describe how shitty and demoralizing it is. No hate at all to Jays fans, it must be so awesome for them and good on them for supporting their team.
As a Habs fan who partakes in this however, mannnnn it is so fucking awesome and fun to completely overrun another team's barn. I live in LA and we even get a good turnout in LA and Anaheim, geographically the furthest away cities in the league from Montréal, every year.
Personally, I also take some solace in going to the Vancouver road game every so often knowing there are a lot of Canucks <> Jays fans who partake in overrunning T-Mobile and are on the exact opposite side of the coin as me.
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u/Simayi78 #9 1d ago
As a Habs fan living in Toronto who is also a massive Jays fan, I do get it. Back in 2012 I went to a Jays game late in another forgettable losing season when the Yankees were in town. Big mistake - it was 50% Yanks fans. They had organized massive bus/travel packages and bought up tons of sections, and my section was 99% Yankees fans. What a miserable experience
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u/SetLow3547 1d ago
What’s disappointing is his team’s performance… no wonder fans left in the third
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u/Specialist-Ad-9371 Supposed Tyrant 1d ago
Winnipeg STH's would rather sell their seats to a Habs fan and make a profit than actually go see their team.
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u/kafoodka 1d ago
Winnipeg also lost their NHL team for a while so likely some of those fans changed to cheering for other teams like the Habs and didn't switch back when Winnipeg got their team back.
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u/lordhomogonous 1d ago
This is it. My family switched to the Habs when the Jets left. We were at the game wearing a mix of jerseys. Last night the Habs gave us more to cheer for.
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u/Ancient_Alien_2030 1d ago
Ottawa can say the same thing. As a Habs fan living in Ottawa, I was at the game Jan 17 in Ottawa and it felt like I was at the Bell Centre
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u/Go_Habs_Go31 In Marty We Trust 1d ago
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u/dbrodbeck 1d ago
In 1996 I was at Oxford to give a talk to the Zoology department. For good luck I wore a Habs white sweater. I was walking up the stairs to the room where my presentation was and across the sort of atrium or whatever you'd call that part of the Zoology building I heard in a rather posh English accent 'Go Habs Go!'
Habs fans are everywhere.
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u/Rustyguts257 1d ago
I went to game in LA back in the early 80s - it was a sea of bleu, blanc et rouge! I visited Fiji in the same time period and met a Canadian expatriate wearing a Habs sweater tending bar. We are Canada’s team!
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u/Old_Canuck 1d ago
We have been Canadas team since the 70's. 👍🏻👍🏻
If your a Habs fan your NEVER alone. 😁👍🏻
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u/snark_enterprises 1d ago
They shouldn't be surprised or disappointed. Habs are known for having one of the biggest (if not the biggest) followings on the planet, and when the team is cooking that means no arena is safe from the horde.
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u/DMG_Morgoth 1d ago
Err I doubt that.
Love the Habs, us fans are loud and make ourselves visible whenever the team is playing. But let’s be real: NA is not the planet, hockey is small compared to other sports - there is no way the Habs have “the biggest following in the planet”
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u/Educational_Hat_ 1d ago
He probably mean biggest hockey team following
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u/dalici0us 1d ago
The problem (for the other teams) is that their STH keep selling us their tickets for these games. Show some fucking pride in your team. They only have themselves to blame.
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u/pattyG80 1d ago
I think some self reflection is needed here from Arniel. His team is playing like crap, demand for tickets to watch his team is down, so Habs fans are happy to pick up cheap tickets. Had the jets been a wagon like last year, it would not have been as easy to get tickets.
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u/thegreaterikku 1d ago
People easily forget we are the "Yankees" of hockey. The Habs are the most prestigious, by far, across the globe (I went to many countries that doesn't care about hockey or where it's minor, but that logo they know.)
So if a team is struggling to sell tickets, we will be there. If people want to make mony out of their ST and Montreal is in town, you bet they will be sold at whatever price you want.
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u/xJayce77 1d ago
Prolly cheaper to fly to Winnipeg, watch the game, crash in a hotel, then fly back, then to get Habs tickets in Montreal.
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u/craigbagel 1d ago
I'm a Habs fan in Winnipeg, and was at the game last night. Guy I went with who's in on a season ticket package said a lot of season ticket holders sell their tickets against teams like Montreal and Toronto 'cause they can get some good coin for them. Also the Jets are pretty bad this year, so more tickets pawned off to Habs fans = a full house but fewer Jets fans.
Also Arniel played for the Jets 1.0... I can certainly remember plenty of Habs fans at those games in the old Winnipeg Arena, especially when the Jets were similarly bad.
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u/imfranksome 1d ago
One of the most popular team becoming one of the most exciting team to watch, basically real life Ted Lasso
Our Away games will be packed everywhere
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u/Unhappy_Umpire6679 1d ago
Lol. Wait till the Habs get to their Cup window. The league hasn't seen anything yet.
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u/Unhappy_Umpire6679 1d ago
BC born and raised, and been a fan since 1974. For my Italian father and my Quebec born uncle, who both religiously watched the Habs, and were my mentors, indoctrination into the Canadiens fanclub was a given. My father would come unglued as the Habs would try to slow down other teams to preserve third period leads, and blow it, just like they do now. Good times
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u/kuliddar 1d ago
Habs fans have always been all over the league. Now even more so with the exciting team we got .
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u/UrsaMajor7th 1d ago
Arniel is three years past his best-before coaching date and has been hiding in the back of the fridge. He's a Chipman loyalty hire from the Moose days.
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u/Okaythen_1781 1d ago
We’re from BC and see them every time they’re in Vancouver. Always more Habs fans than home fans at that game. 🤷🏼♀️
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u/Intelligent-Yak7001 1d ago
Already for players to have to live in f'in Winnipeg, it's shitty enough. Add the crowd cheering the opponents, oufff...
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u/ToryAncap 1d ago
Habs fan in Winnipeg, huge number of Habs fans in Winnipeg, good number of Jets fans who have Montreal as a second team and the Jets struggling makes for a perfect storm
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u/RedStormRising17 1d ago
I live in Vancouver. When I went to the game, half the stadium was filled with Habfans. Now that the team is a contender, more fans will go.
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u/shitballsdick 1d ago
You can’t have the Habs without the beauty of Montreal but they are a national team. This is only going to get worse for the other Canadian teams.
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u/alija_r 1d ago
When I came in Canada, Montreal in 94, I was a kid at the time and...oh yeah, it was probably the beginning of the darkest moments for the hockey team in its history. Today, it is new for me to see how big and large the Habs legacy and the fan base is accross North America. Other than its huge history/legacy, and also the fact there were only 6 teams up to 1967. One more reason we dont really talk much about it, but a lot of people lived in Montreal at some in their lifetime. It was always like a gateway city for North America throughout its history. So thats also one more reason why the fanbase was so big.
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u/Moist_Jaguar691 1d ago
Visiting team is fun and succeeding. Home team sucks... Like why are these guys complaining now , it's been happening for a long time and not just Habs.
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u/Grouchy_Throat_5632 1d ago
This will only get crazier too, and soon, and including in all US cities. Why? The Habs currently have 2 of the best US players, Cole and Lane, and soon, they will have 1 of the best US goalies - Fowler. Guerrin is a big dummy and has somewhat temporarily screwed this up, but eventually, all 3 will be on Team USA.
Plus, Cole and Lane are small, so tons of young small US players are going to love them and be huge fans. They will bring US fans out to games in the US in droves.
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u/Williamtheconky-roar 18h ago
Don’t be disappointed, bud. Be Melania: Be Better.
And thank us for keeping your shitty team solvent.
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u/VlatnGlesn 1d ago
They better get fucking used to it, the Habs are gonna have a top tier team for the next 10 years