I've been to the Bell Centre a few times but this visit was for Lady Gaga's concert on November 3, 2017. Her concert was scheduled for September 4, 2017 but she cancelled it last minute so the tickets that I had were honoured for her returned trip on November 3. Her concert was great but this review is more of my thoughts on the Bell Centre.
I had gone to a previous concert, a few Habs hockey games, and some sports events at the Bell Centre in the past so when I returned to the Bell Centre for Lady Gaga's concert, things changed somewhat. The line-up to get into the Bell Centre was long and there were multiple lines so I wasn't sure which line to stand behind but managed to find the correct line. One of the lines I assume were for the concert floor which luckily I didn't line behind that line.
Security was tighter than I remember it from ~2 years ago (my last concert). This is probably due to a sign of the times. Backpacks were not allowed and people had to go thru a metal detector as well as pass by one of the metal wands which you see at the airport. The backpack restriction was noted on the ticket so it wasn't a complete surprise. I was coming from work and I normally have a backpack with me so I left my backpack at work and instead brought a small plastic bag that I could carry my cellphone and tablet with me. After finally making it through security, I was a bit lost but one of the agents greeted me close to the entrance after the security gate and asked me where I was going. I told him that I wasn't sure and I showed him my ticket. He told me which direction I should go and mentioned that I shouldn't worry that the numbers were increasing (and my number was lower) since the door for my ticket entrance would eventually appear.
Cellphone reception was decent inside the Bell Centre which was enough for me to chat with friends and tell them where I was as well as upload a few pictures onto my Facebook. I don't believe that there was any WiFi.
I found that there was plenty of leg room (wasn't cramped in front) but the width of the chairs were somewhat restrictive. I placed my plastic bag with my stuff underneath my chair since even though there was an empty seat on one side of me, it seemed like a dangerous place to put my stuff since most of the time, my eyes would not be on the seat and someone behind the seat could easily grab my bag or something from my bag. Someone behind me either accidentally or purposely poured their beer in front of them which went on the floor underneath my seat as well as the floor in front of my seat. I noticed this part way into the concert as my shoes appeared to be wet.
I think that the Bell Centre is a good place for events since it is centrally located (short walk from various metro stations). Not having usable free WiFi was a bit of a bummer even though I have data on my cellphone. Prices are high for concessions but that is to be expected.