The landscape of professional women’s hockey is shifting in Canada’s capital as the Ottawa Charge look to secure a more permanent and expansive future. Following a successful inaugural season that saw record-breaking attendance, the team is now in active discussions to move the majority of Ottawa Charge home games to the Canadian Tire Centre, the current home of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators.
The potential move comes as a response to looming infrastructure changes at the team's current venue. While the Charge have built a passionate following at TD Place Arena, a planned redevelopment project is set to significantly alter the facility, forcing the PWHL franchise to look elsewhere to accommodate its growing fanbase and professional requirements.
The Lansdowne 2.0 Impact on Ottawa Charge Home Games
The primary catalyst for this move is the "Lansdowne 2.0" redevelopment project. The City of Ottawa is moving forward with a massive renovation of the Lansdowne Park site, which includes the construction of a new event center to replace the aging TD Place Arena. However, the proposed plans for the new arena include a significant downsizing of the seating capacity and a smaller ice surface footprint compared to standard professional dimensions.
For a team like the Charge, which has consistently drawn large crowds, a smaller venue represents a step backward. During the 2023-24 season, Ottawa proved to be one of the strongest markets in the PWHL, frequently selling out the 6,500-seat TD Place Arena. With the new facility expected to offer even fewer seats, the Ottawa Charge home games would face a hard ceiling on growth if they remained at the Lansdowne site.
A Strategic Partnership with the Ottawa Senators
To avoid the limitations of a downsized arena, the PWHL is looking to forge a deeper relationship with the Ottawa Senators. The Canadian Tire Centre, located in Kanata, offers a significant upgrade in terms of capacity, with the ability to host over 18,000 fans. This move would align the Charge with other PWHL franchises that have successfully transitioned to NHL-sized venues for high-demand matchups.
According to reports, the Charge are looking to team up with the Senators organization to ensure the team remains within the city limits while gaining access to world-class amenities. The move would not only solve the capacity issue but also provide the team with:
- Access to NHL-caliber locker rooms and training facilities.
- Enhanced broadcasting capabilities for nationally televised games.
- Increased opportunities for corporate sponsorships and premium seating revenue.
- A more centralized platform for growing the PWHL brand in Eastern Ontario.
Proven Success in Larger Venues
The logic behind moving Ottawa Charge home games to a larger arena is backed by data. Last season, the PWHL hosted several "Takeover" games at NHL venues, including Scotiabank Arena in Toronto and Bell Centre in Montreal, both of which set world records for attendance at a women's professional hockey game. Ottawa fans have already shown they are willing to travel to Kanata; the Charge previously hosted a game at the Canadian Tire Centre that drew a massive crowd, proving the market's appetite for the sport at a larger scale.
While TD Place Arena provided an intimate and electric atmosphere for the league's debut, the long-term sustainability of the franchise depends on its ability to scale. By moving to the Canadian Tire Centre, the Charge can capitalize on the momentum of the PWHL without being constrained by the construction timelines and reduced capacity of the Lansdowne redevelopment.
Next Steps for the PWHL and Ottawa
Negotiations between the PWHL, the Ottawa Charge, and the Ottawa Senators are ongoing. While no formal long-term lease has been signed yet, the intent from both sides appears to be focused on keeping the team in Ottawa and providing them with the best possible platform for success. The transition would likely coincide with the start of the redevelopment work at TD Place, ensuring the team has a seamless move to their new home.
As the PWHL continues to break barriers in its second season, securing stable, high-capacity venues remains a top priority for the league's front office. For the fans in Ottawa, a move to the Canadian Tire Centre would signal a new era for the Charge, cementing their status as a cornerstone of the city's professional sports scene alongside the Senators.
Sources & Original Reporting
