Ottawa Charge Set To Begin New Chapter At The Canadian Tire Centre

August 29, 2023. It’s a date that will forever be etched in the lives of Ottawa's women’s hockey fans as the beginning of an exciting chapter of professional hockey in the nation’s capital. Now, the Ottawa Charge prepare for the team’s next chapter as they pack their bags and head down the 417 West to the Canadian Tire Centre.

“I was honestly thrilled and very grateful that we were seen as a good spot for an inaugural team,” said Sarah, a long-time fan of the team. "I’ve made friends online and bonded over the growth of the league in a much more positive and supportive environment than the NHL ever gave to me, and I’m forever grateful.”

That sense of community, of belonging, of companionship has become a common sentiment shared among all Charge fans.

Throughout its three-year history, there have been many “firsts” celebrated by the franchise at TD Place.

Hayley Scamurra scored the team’s first-ever goal, a power-play marker assisted by Ashton Bell and Zoe Boyd in a 3-2 overtime loss to Montreal on January 2, 2024. Ottawa’s first win in franchise history, a 3-1 tally against provincial rivals Toronto on January 23, 2024, which saw Emerance Maschmeyer make 30 saves and be named second star. And speaking of Maschmeyer, her 35-save shutout against Minnesota on April 20, 2024 marked the first home shutout in franchise history. Sticking with Maschmeyer for one more moment, her 1,000th regular-season career save on home ice against Minnesota on March 11, 2025, although Ottawa fans have collectively blocked out what occurred shortly thereafter. The first PWHL hat trick, scored by Tereza Vanišová in the team’s 8-3 win over Minnesota on February 13, 2025.

The list goes on.

But beyond the “firsts” celebrated on the ice are the memories held by the more than 280,000 people who have watched the Ottawa Charge.

The kazoos have become synonymous with the team just as much as the “vibes” have become a talking point regardless of which side of the boxscore you’re on. The connectedness of the fans, whether you arrived as friends or became such during the game, is core to what Ottawa Charge hockey quickly became.

“The Ottawa Charge means so much,” said Ashley, another long-time fan. “I look at my female students and see how excited they are at the possibility. I watch the women play with ambition and pride.”

Attending games at TD Place became an all-day affair, and something fans looked forward to. Arrive early and grab a meal at Craft, watch a movie at Cineplex, shop at one of the many retail outlets, or maybe do all of the above. That experience, coupled with professional hockey at affordable prices, made game days can’t-miss entertainment.

November 7, 2025. Another date that will forever be etched in the minds of Charge fans. On that Friday, Ottawa City Council approved the Lansdowne 2.0 redevelopment project by a final vote of 15-10. Among other aspects of the newly approved plan was a reduction of seating at the arena at TD Place. This decision meant that a long-term future for the Charge was brought into question, as capacity would be reduced by almost 3,000 seats, an unacceptable mark for the league.

"There's still not enough seats; that impacts the entire business. For it to be profitable, it's just not," said Amy Scheer, Senior Vice President of Business Operations. “We've tried every single way to take what OSEG negotiated and find a way to make money with that, and ultimately we couldn't.”

This decision by the city meant that the league and the Charge would need to look elsewhere to ensure professional women’s hockey remained in the nation’s capital. On June 18 of this year, the Associated Press reported that talks had progressed between the league, team and the Ottawa Senators to move the team to the Canadian Tire Centre. On July 9, it was made official: the Ottawa Charge would call the CTC its permanent primary venue.

The CTC and Charge were no strangers, as the arena had already hosted two regular-season games as well as the team’s 2025-26 postseason home games. Over those four playoff home games, the Charge saw 53,664 fans, or an average of 13,416 per game, and included two playoff attendance records: 13,112 in Game 3 of the semifinals against Boston and 16,894 in Game 3 of the Walter Cup Finals against Montreal. Despite the record turnouts and the team’s overall success in the building, there remains apprehension from the fan base.

On one hand, it offers the team the opportunity to play in a professional space, with professional-level equipment and facilities. This could also provide potential free agent incentives, something TD Place couldn’t do. On the other hand, while the CTC may offer a more professional playing experience, its seating capacity of over 18,000 lacks the familiar intimacy that TD Place became known for. That’s a quintessential aspect of Charge hockey that fans have grown to love.

Parking costs, inconsistent/unreliable public transportation, combined with the reality that Kanata just hasn’t developed the way it was intended, nor the way Lansdowne has, are all contributing factors to the apprehension. One can acknowledge the excitement of a long-term future for the team in Ottawa, and an important deepening relationship with the NHL’s Ottawa Senators, while also being disappointed in what could be lost as a result. It's the fear of what could be lost that remains at the forefront for fans of the organization.

"I know the move to the CTC has some people a bit upset," said Jim Stackhouse, a long-time fan of the team. "I believe it is the best move for the PWHL and the Charge. It is always what is best for the organization. That is how they expand their brand while continuing to generate fans who just love the game of hockey."

In a recent interview on CTV News Ottawa, Ottawa Senators President and CEO Cyril Leeder provided an update on the progress toward a downtown arena at Lebreton Flats. "More than 500,000 cubic metres of [contaminated] soil needs to be taken off the site," Leeder said. "That's probably a steady stream of trucks on and off the site for 16 months." Only after that work is done can shovels hit the ground, at which point it would be an estimated 30-36 months before an arena is built. The Senators are looking to release a firmer timeline in the new year.

When reached for comment, Katrina Camposarcone-Stubbs, Transit Media Relations provided the following statement:

"As OC Transpo does for most large events at the Canadian Tire Centre, additional event service will be provided for Ottawa Charge games to make it easy for fans to travel to and from the venue. Bus service will provide connections to the Canadian Tire Centre from O-Train Line 1, major transit stations and Park & Ride lots across the city. Following games, return service departs approximately 15 minutes after the event ends. Customers are encouraged to use the OC Transpo Travel Planner and check octranspo.com before travelling for the latest schedule and service information. More information on service to the Canadian Tire Centre can be found here.”

While a new chapter of Ottawa Charge hockey begins in 2026-27, a lifetime of memories, franchise moments and experiences over three years at TD Place won’t soon be forgotten. It’s inevitable that with change comes uncertainty. A lot will change, and the experience will be different. But with that change also comes a new beginning, a step forward, and the opportunity to continue inspiring the next generation in the Ottawa-Gatineau region.