Canadian Tire Centre
The Canadian Tire Centre is a major multi-purpose arena located in the Kanata suburb of Ottawa, Ontario. Since opening in 1996, it has served as the primary home of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League. The arena is a central venue for major concerts, international hockey tournaments, and other sporting events in the National Capital Region. Beginning with the 2026-27 season, it also became the full-time home arena for the Ottawa Charge of the Professional Women's Hockey League.
Planning and construction
The arena's origins are tied to the successful bid to bring an NHL franchise back to Ottawa. In September 1989, the Terrace Corporation unveiled a proposal for a 20,500-seat arena named the Palladium, part of a larger 600-acre development called West Terrace on farmland in Kanata. The architectural design was closely inspired by The Palace of Auburn Hills in Michigan, with both arenas designed by Rossetti Architects. The project faced significant hurdles, including opposition to rezoning the farmland, which led to public hearings before the Ontario Municipal Board. The Board granted conditional approval on August 28, 1991, requiring the arena be scaled down to 18,500 seats and that Terrace Corporation pay for a new interchange on Highway 417. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in June 1992, but financing challenges, particularly for the highway interchange, delayed the start of actual construction until July 7, 1994. Ownership of the Senators and the project shifted from Bruce Firestone to Rod Bryden in August 1993, who secured a CA$188 million loan from a U.S. banking consortium and Ogden Entertainment. Construction finally proceeded after the Ontario government provided a loan guarantee for the interchange, and the building was completed in 18 months, finishing in January 1996.
Opening and naming history
The Palladium opened on January 15, 1996, with a concert by Canadian rock musician Bryan Adams. The first NHL game was played two days later, with the Montreal Canadiens defeating the Ottawa Senators 3-0 before a sold-out crowd of 18,500. The arena's name changed just over a month after opening, on February 17, 1996, to the Corel Centre following a ten-year naming rights agreement with the Ottawa-based software company Corel Corporation. Financial difficulties plagued the arena's original owners, with mortgage holder Covanta Energy going into receivership in 2001 and Terrace Corporation filing for bankruptcy in 2003 after being unable to refinance the venue. On August 26, 2003, businessman Eugene Melnyk purchased the Senators and the arena, bringing both under the control of his new company, Capital Sports Properties. A new 15-year naming rights deal was signed with Scotiabank on January 11, 2006, leading to the arena being renamed Scotiabank Place on January 19, 2006. That relationship ended after the 2012-13 season when Melnyk sought to end the deal, and on July 1, 2013, the venue was officially renamed the Canadian Tire Centre under a new agreement with the Canadian Tire Corporation, which remains in effect.
Arena configuration and facilities
The Canadian Tire Centre is a three-level arena with seating bowls on the 100, 200, and 300 levels, along with a mezzanine level above containing private suites. The 100 level, or club level, is closest to the ice surface and has its own concourse, while the 200 and 300 levels share a concourse, which formerly housed the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame exhibit from 2005 to 2011. The arena's seating capacity has been adjusted several times since opening, reflecting strategic decisions by ownership to manage demand and enhance the fan experience. It was originally built for 18,500, expanded to 19,153 seats in 2005, and then reduced multiple times in the 2010s to create a more intimate atmosphere and encourage sell-outs. A major renovation in the 2015 to 2017 period saw capacity lowered to 17,373 seats, though it was later increased to 18,655. Further changes in 2025 and 2026, including the installation of larger seats and the creation of a 'Fan Deck' standing area on the 300 level, resulted in the current configuration of 17,010 seats for hockey, with a total capacity of 18,740 including standing room. The facility houses six restaurants, a fitness club, numerous concession stands, and a Senators merchandise store, with most restaurants only open on event days. A CA$15 million renovation in late 2014 upgraded food outlets and installed 4K video displays throughout the venue.
Tenants and major events
The arena's primary tenant since its opening has been the Ottawa Senators of the NHL. The Ottawa 67's of the Ontario Hockey League played there from 2012 to 2014 during renovations at their home arena, TD Place. The Ottawa Black Bears of the National Lacrosse League used the venue from 2024 to 2026. A landmark development was announced in 2026, with the Ottawa Charge of the Professional Women's Hockey League signing a multi-year deal to make Canadian Tire Centre their full-time home beginning with the 2026-27 season. The Charge had previously played playoff games and a regular season contest at the arena, drawing crowds of over 17,000. The arena has hosted numerous major events over its history, establishing itself as the largest indoor sport and concert venue in the National Capital Region.
- The 2007 Stanley Cup Final (Games 3 and 4) and the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
- The 2012 NHL All-Star Game, which featured the installation of a new high-definition scoreboard.
- World championship tournaments including the 2009 and 2025 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and the 2013 IIHF Women's World Championship.
- The final NHL game in Canada played by Wayne Gretzky.
- Walter Cup playoff games for the Ottawa Charge in 2026.
- A UFC event (UFC Fight Night: Iaquinta vs. Cowboy) in 2019, the first UFC event held at the arena.
- Multiple episodes of WWE Raw and SmackDown between 1997 and 2023.
- Billy Graham's final Canadian Crusade in June 1998, with over 100,000 attendees across four days.
- The Canadian University Basketball Championships in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, and 2014.
Canadian Tire Centre is a major concert venue that regularly hosts major music acts and concerts. It has held over twelve shows by Celine Dion, Fleetwood Mac, and Cher. Many other notable artists have performed there, including The Tragically Hip, Rush, Bryan Adams, Taylor Swift, U2, Metallica, Pearl Jam, and Paul McCartney. The arena's versatility is shown by its hosting of diverse events, from the Disney Descendants stage show in 2026 to concerts by hard rock and hip-hop artists. It is the largest sport and concert venue in the National Capital Region after the outdoor TD Place Stadium.
Location, transportation, and community role
The Canadian Tire Centre is situated in the west end of Ottawa, approximately 25 kilometres from downtown. The arena is located south of Huntmar Drive and Highway 417, with access from the Palladium Drive and Terry Fox Drive interchanges. Its location in Kanata, while providing ample space for parking, has been a topic of discussion regarding accessibility for fans travelling from across the city and the National Capital Region. Public transit to the arena is provided by OC Transpo, which operates special shuttle bus services on event days to connect the venue with other parts of the transit network. The arena's suburban location has factored into long-term discussions about a potential future downtown arena for the Senators. Beyond hosting professional teams, the arena and the Senators organization play a significant community role, as the facility hosts over 50 hockey tournaments and 2,000 teams per year. The organization's hockey programs involve 6,000 local children annually, reflecting the ownership's stated commitment to being stewards of the sport in the Ottawa region.
Future and downtown arena discussions
Since 2016, the Ottawa Senators have been engaged in discussions with the National Capital Commission regarding the potential construction of a new arena on federal land in downtown Ottawa to replace the Canadian Tire Centre. Initial talks broke down due to a dispute with the Senators' development partner but were revived following the passing of owner Eugene Melnyk. Under the team's current ownership, progress continued, culminating in the signing of a land sale agreement with the National Capital Commission in August 2025. This agreement secures a parcel of land in the LeBreton Flats area for a future arena and mixed-use development project. While the new downtown arena remains a long-term goal, the Canadian Tire Centre continues to operate as a full-time, multi-tenant venue. The addition of the Ottawa Charge as a primary tenant for the 2026-27 season and beyond ensures the building will maintain a busy schedule of professional hockey. The move of the Charge from TD Place was driven by the team's desire for a larger capacity venue and closer alignment with the Senators organization, despite some fan concerns about the location. The Ottawa Charge's move to the arena was formally announced by general manager Mike Hirshfield and Senators president Cyril Leeder in 2026, highlighting a partnership aimed at growing women's hockey and sharing arena resources.
Seating capacity evolution
The arena's official seating capacity for hockey has changed many times since its opening. When it opened as the Palladium in 1996, the seating capacity was 18,500. In 2005, the venue was allowed to increase its seating capacity to 19,153. During the 2015 summer, the Senators reduced the seating capacity to 18,694, and then further down to 18,572 seats in April 2017. The capacity was reduced again to 17,373 seats in September 2017. After one season, the seating capacity was increased to 18,655 for hockey games. In the 2025 off-season, the seating capacity was slightly reduced to just under 18,000. In 2026, a new 'Fan Deck' for standing room replaced upper level seats, reducing the seating further down to 17,010.
| Year | Seating Capacity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 18,500 | Original opening configuration as the Palladium. |
| 2005 | 19,153 | Expansion approved after City of Ottawa bylaw amendment in December 2004. |
| 2015 | 18,694 | First reduction under team president Tom Anselmi, who argued the venue was too big for the market. |
| April 2017 | 18,572 | Further incremental reduction. |
| September 2017 | 17,373 | Major reduction following owner Eugene Melnyk's complaints about playoff sell-outs in 2017. |
| 2018 | 18,655 | Reopening of previously tarp-covered sections for hockey games. |
| 2025 | Just under 18,000 | Installation of larger 100-level seats during the off-season. |
| 2026 | 17,010 | Final configuration after creation of the 'Fan Deck' standing area on the 300 level, replacing upper-level seats. |
Notable moments and records
The Canadian Tire Centre has been the site of many memorable moments in Canadian sports and entertainment history. The first Professional Women's Hockey League game at the arena was played on December 6, 2024, between the Montreal Victoire and Ottawa Charge, with Montreal winning 2-1 before 11,065 fans. The arena hosted the last NHL game played in Canada by Wayne Gretzky, a significant moment for hockey fans. In 1998, it was the site of evangelist Billy Graham's final Canadian Crusade, drawing massive crowds. The venue has also been a consistent stop for major touring concert acts, with artists like AC/DC, David Bowie, Elton John, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Prince, Rihanna, Bruce Springsteen, Barbra Streisand, and The Weeknd all having performed there. The building's versatility is demonstrated by its use for events ranging from Disney's Descendants stage show in 2026 to hard rock and hip-hop concerts. The Ottawa Charge's move to the arena was formally announced by general manager Mike Hirshfield and Senators president Cyril Leeder in 2026, highlighting a partnership aimed at growing women's hockey and sharing arena resources.
Questions about Canadian Tire Centre
Where is the Canadian Tire Centre located?
The Canadian Tire Centre is located in the Kanata suburb of Ottawa, Ontario. It is situated south of Huntmar Drive and Highway 417, approximately 25 kilometres west of downtown Ottawa. The arena is accessible from the Palladium Drive and Terry Fox Drive highway interchanges. OC Transpo provides special shuttle bus services to the venue on event days.
What was the arena called before Canadian Tire Centre?
The arena has had three previous names. It opened as the Palladium on January 15, 1996. Just over a month later, on February 17, 1996, it was renamed the Corel Centre after a naming rights deal. On January 19, 2006, it became Scotiabank Place following a new agreement. The current name, Canadian Tire Centre, took effect on July 1, 2013.
What major events have been held at the Canadian Tire Centre?
The arena has hosted a wide array of major events. These include the 2007 Stanley Cup Final, the 2012 NHL All-Star Game, the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, and world hockey championships like the 2009 World Juniors. It has held concerts by most major music acts, WWE television events, a UFC fight night in 2019, and Billy Graham's final Canadian Crusade in 1998. In 2026, it hosted Walter Cup playoff games for the Ottawa Charge.
What teams play at the Canadian Tire Centre?
The Canadian Tire Centre is the home arena for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League and the Ottawa Charge of the Professional Women's Hockey League. The Senators have played there since the arena opened in 1996, and the Charge began playing there full time starting with the 2026 27 season. The arena has also served as a temporary home for other teams, including the Ottawa 67's of the Ontario Hockey League from 2012 to 2014 and the Ottawa Black Bears of the National Lacrosse League from 2024 to 2026. Historically, it also hosted the Ottawa Rebel of the NLL and the Ottawa Wheels of the RHI. The venue is a multi purpose facility that regularly hosts hockey and lacrosse games alongside concerts and other major events.
Are there plans to build a new arena for the Senators?
Yes, there are plans to build a new arena for the Ottawa Senators in downtown Ottawa. The Senators have been in discussions with the National Capital Commission since 2016 to replace the Canadian Tire Centre with a new arena on federal land. Initial talks broke down but were revived after the passing of team owner Eugene Melnyk and continue under the team's current ownership. A significant milestone was reached in August 2025 when a land sale agreement with the National Capital Commission was signed. The goal is to construct a new venue closer to the city centre, moving from its current location in the suburb of Kanata, which is approximately 25 kilometres west of downtown Ottawa.
How many people does the Canadian Tire Centre hold for a hockey game?
The Canadian Tire Centre currently holds 17,010 seated spectators for hockey games, with a total capacity of 18,740 including standing room. This configuration was set in 2026 after renovations that created a new 'Fan Deck' standing room area, which replaced upper level seats in the 300 level. The arena's capacity has changed several times since its opening, originally being 18,500 seats. It was expanded to 19,153 seats in 2005, then reduced in subsequent years. For instance, in 2017 seating was reduced to 17,373 seats before being increased again. The most recent adjustment in the 2025 off season involved installing slightly larger seats in the 100 level, which brought the capacity to just under 18,000 before the 2026 change.
Sources and further reading
- Canadian Tire Centre (Wikipedia)
- Ottawa Charge moving to Canadian Tire Centre for 2026- ... (obj.ca)
Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-26.
