TD Place Arena

History and construction

The origins of TD Place Arena are intertwined with the redevelopment of Lansdowne Park in the 1960s. The City of Ottawa required a new arena after the demolition of the old Ottawa Auditorium and was simultaneously planning to rebuild the adjacent football stadium. A combined project was conceived, with the new indoor arena constructed directly beneath the north grandstand of the outdoor stadium. This innovative design utilized large steel girders, transported to the site by barge, to support the stadium's overhanging roof. The complex was designated as Ottawa's official Canadian Centennial project, and a rushed construction schedule ensured it opened within the centennial year of 1967. The arena, then named the Ottawa Civic Centre, held its first event on December 29, 1967, an exhibition hockey game between the Ottawa 67's and the NHL's Montreal Canadiens, attracting about 9,000 fans despite incomplete seating.

For decades, the arena operated as the Civic Centre, though it underwent significant changes. In 1992, it was renovated and its seating capacity was increased to temporarily accommodate the new Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League. From 2009 to 2012, the facility's naming rights were sold annually, leading to temporary names like the Urbandale Centre and the Rona Centre. The arena closed in 2012 for a major refurbishment as part of the broader Lansdowne Park revitalization led by the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG). This $17 million project, which addressed chronic roof leaks and discovered steel corrosion, included a new roof and other upgrades. The arena reopened in late 2014 and was officially renamed TD Place Arena under a sponsorship agreement with the Toronto-Dominion Bank.

Ice hockey legacy

Ice hockey has been the defining sport for the arena since its opening. The Ottawa 67's of the Ontario Hockey League have been the building's primary and most enduring tenant since 1967. Under the ownership of Jeff Hunt from 1998, the team consistently ranked among the top ten junior teams in Canada for attendance. The arena has hosted the Memorial Cup tournament twice, in 1972 and 1999. The arena's most notable hockey tenure was hosting the Ottawa Senators for their first three and a half NHL seasons from 1992 to 1995, which prompted the 1992 renovation.

The arena has been the site of several historic international hockey events. It hosted the first-ever Canada Cup game on September 2, 1976, where Canada defeated Finland 11-2, and also held games during the 1981 Canada Cup. Most significantly, the arena was the venue for the first IIHF Women's World Ice Hockey Championships in 1990, where Canada defeated the United States 5-2 to claim the inaugural gold medal on March 25, 1990. The arena was used for games during the 2009 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. From 2024 to 2026, the arena was home to the Ottawa Charge of the Professional Women's Hockey League, whose inaugural game on January 2, 2024, set a new professional women's hockey attendance record for the building with 8,318 fans.

Other sports and major events

Beyond hockey, TD Place Arena has a rich history of hosting premier sporting competitions. The venue has been a frequent site for Canadian and world curling championships. It has hosted the Canadian men's championship, the Tim Hortons Brier, on four occasions: 1979, 1993, 2001, and 2016. The arena also held the Canadian women's championship, the Scott Tournament of Hearts, in 1990 and the World Men's Curling Championship in April 2023. In figure skating, the arena's unique seating configuration, with most seats on one side, has been praised for presentations. It has hosted the World Figure Skating Championships in 1978 and 1984, the latter providing a dramatic gold medal victory for Canadians Barbara Underhill and Paul Martini. The venue also held the 2003 World Synchronized Skating Championships and the Canadian Figure Skating Championships in 1987, 1996, 1999, 2006, and 2017.

The arena has accommodated a diverse array of other sports and entertainment. It was home to the Ottawa Rebel of the National Lacrosse League for parts of two seasons from 2002 to 2003. The World Wrestling Federation held events there until 1996, and the arena hosted a UFC Fight Night event in June 2016. In September 2026, the arena was the venue for the 2026 Wheelchair Basketball World Championships. The facility has also been a key political venue, hosting national party leadership conventions for the Liberals and Progressive Conservatives. These conventions saw the election of Prime Ministers Pierre Trudeau (1968), John Turner (1984), Brian Mulroney (1983), and Kim Campbell (1993). Until the mid-2000s, the arena was also used for concerts and exhibits as part of the Ottawa SuperEX (Central Canada Exhibition).

Tenants and notable users

Over its long history, TD Place Arena has been home to a wide variety of sports teams and has hosted events for numerous leagues and organizations. The building's primary and most consistent tenant has been the Ottawa 67's of the Ontario Hockey League, who have played there since the arena opened in 1967. The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League have also used the arena as their home court. From 2024 to 2026, the Ottawa Charge of the Professional Women's Hockey League were a key tenant before relocating to the Canadian Tire Centre for the 2026-27 season. The arena's history includes several professional hockey teams that had shorter tenures, reflecting the changing nature of professional sports in the city. The list of former major tenants and notable users includes:

• Ottawa Civics (World Hockey Association), 1976 season (2 home games).
• Ottawa Senators (National Hockey League), 1992 to 1995 seasons.
• Ottawa Loggers/Wheels (Roller Hockey International), 1995 season.
• Ottawa Rebel (National Lacrosse League), 2002 to 2003 seasons.
• Multiple Canadian and world championship events in curling and figure skating.
• Major political party leadership conventions for the Liberals and Progressive Conservatives.

The Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG) has managed and programmed events in the TD Place stadium arena complex since the Lansdowne Park redevelopment. OSEG was founded in 2008 to re-establish CFL football in Ottawa and partnered with the City of Ottawa to revitalize the Lansdowne site. The group owns and operates the Ottawa REDBLACKS Football Club and the Ottawa 67's Hockey Club. OSEG aims to make the Lansdowne district a year-round destination for live events, cultural activities, shopping, dining, and recreation.

Major hosted championships

TD Place Arena has been selected to host numerous prestigious national and world championships across several sports, underlining its status as a premier Canadian venue. These events have brought significant attention to Ottawa and have created many memorable moments in sporting history. The arena's versatility and central location have made it a favoured choice for governing bodies in figure skating, curling, and hockey. The following list details some of the most significant championships held at the arena:

• World Figure Skating Championships in 1978 and 1984.
• First IIHF Women's World Ice Hockey Championships in 1990.
• Tim Hortons Brier (Canadian men's curling championship) in 1979, 1993, 2001, and 2016.
• Scott Tournament of Hearts (Canadian women's curling championship) in 1990.
• World Men's Curling Championship in 2023.
• World Synchronized Skating Championships in 2003.
• Memorial Cup (Canadian major junior hockey championship) in 1972 and 1999.

The arena's legacy includes hosting the 1978 World Figure Skating Championships where Vern Taylor performed the first triple Axel jump in competition. It also hosted the first IIHF Women's World Ice Hockey Championships in 1990, where Canada defeated the United States to win the gold medal. The arena has hosted other world championships in figure skating, curling, and ice hockey. This consistent hosting of high-profile tournaments demonstrates the facility's important role in the Canadian sports community.

Lansdowne 2.0 redevelopment and future

In November 2025, Ottawa City Council approved the Lansdowne 2.0 strategic plan, which includes the demolition of the aging TD Place Arena and its replacement with a new, modern event centre. The existing arena and the north stadium stands above it are scheduled to be torn down after the 2027 Canadian Football League season. Construction on the new facility is planned to begin in 2026, with an anticipated opening by 2030. The decision was driven by the facility's age, nearing 60 years old, and the need for extensive, costly maintenance to meet modern standards, particularly for accessibility. The redevelopment plan aims to protect and enhance the public asset while generating revenue to offset most construction costs.

The new event centre is designed to be a more attractive and efficient venue. Core priorities include full accessibility, gender-inclusive facilities, improved energy efficiency, and spaces specifically designed for professional women's sports teams like the Ottawa Charge. The planned capacity is approximately 6,600 permanent seats for hockey, expandable to roughly 7,000 for concerts. This size is strategically positioned between Ottawa's more intimate venues and larger arenas. The Lansdowne 2.0 plan also includes new north side stadium stands with upgraded amenities, new residential housing, revitalized public spaces like the Great Lawn, and a dedicated public art program. The Ottawa Charge's move to the Canadian Tire Centre for the 2026-27 season was influenced by concerns that the initially proposed capacity for the new arena was insufficient for the team's growing audience, though the final plan increased the seat count.

Architecture and facilities

The original design of the arena, as the Ottawa Civic Centre, was architecturally unique for its integration with the football stadium above it. The arena was built directly under the north grandstand, sharing structural elements like the large steel girders that support the stadium's overhanging roof. This design created a compact, efficient use of space within Lansdowne Park. The seating bowl was known for having the majority of its seats concentrated on one side of the ice surface, a configuration that created an intimate atmosphere for events like figure skating. The 1992 renovation for the NHL Senators added additional seating and 32 private boxes to meet major league standards. The 2012 to 2014 refurbishment, which led to the TD Place Arena rebranding, addressed long-standing issues with a new roof and repairs to steel corrosion.

The updated facility, managed by OSEG, is part of the larger 40-acre Lansdowne district, which includes the stadium, retail spaces, residential towers, and urban parkland. The entire complex welcomes over four million visitors annually. The planned replacement arena under Lansdowne 2.0 will feature a striking exterior, wider concourses, additional washrooms, and will be designed as a standalone event centre rather than a structure built beneath stadium stands. This new design aims to provide a modern fan experience with improved sightlines and amenities for all types of events held at the venue throughout the year.

Questions about TD Place Arena

Why is TD Place Arena being replaced?

TD Place Arena, originally opened in 1967, is being replaced as part of the Lansdowne 2.0 redevelopment plan approved by Ottawa City Council in November 2025. The nearly 60-year-old facility is nearing the end of its useful life and requires extensive and costly maintenance. It no longer meets modern standards, particularly for accessibility. The new event centre will be a more efficient, accessible, and sustainable venue designed for contemporary sports and entertainment needs, with construction scheduled to begin in 2026.

What major hockey events has the arena hosted?

TD Place Arena has hosted several landmark hockey events. It was the site of the first IIHF Women's World Ice Hockey Championships in 1990, where Canada won gold. It hosted the first-ever Canada Cup game in 1976 and games for the 1981 Canada Cup. The arena was also used for matches during the 2009 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. The arena served as the first home of the NHL's Ottawa Senators from 1992 to 1995 and has hosted the Memorial Cup tournament for Canadian junior hockey champions in 1972 and 1999.

Has the arena hosted events other than sports?

Yes, TD Place Arena has a significant history of non-sports usage. Most notably, it has hosted national political leadership conventions for both the Liberal and Progressive Conservative parties. These conventions led to the election of Prime Ministers Pierre Trudeau (1968), John Turner (1984), Brian Mulroney (1983), and Kim Campbell (1993). The arena was also used for concerts and exhibitions as part of the Ottawa SuperEX (Central Canada Exhibition) until the mid-2000s and continues to host concerts and family entertainment events.

When will the new arena open and what will its capacity be?

The new event centre replacing TD Place Arena is expected to open by 2030 as part of the Lansdowne 2.0 project. The existing arena is scheduled for demolition after the 2027 CFL season. The replacement facility is planned to have approximately 6,600 permanent seats for hockey games, which can be expanded to roughly 7,000 seats for concerts. The design prioritizes full accessibility, gender-inclusive facilities, and includes modern viewing areas and customized spaces for professional women's sports teams.

What teams currently play at TD Place Arena?

The teams currently playing at TD Place Arena are the Ottawa 67's of the Ontario Hockey League and the Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League. The Ottawa 67's have been the primary tenant since the arena opened in December 1967. The arena was also the home of the Ottawa Charge of the Professional Women's Hockey League from 2024 until their planned relocation to the Canadian Tire Centre for the 2026-27 season. Historically, the arena has hosted numerous other professional teams including the Ottawa Senators of the NHL and teams from the World Hockey Association. The Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group owns and operates both the 67's and the Ottawa REDBLACKS, and manages the TD Place complex.

What was the attendance record set at TD Place Arena?

The attendance record at TD Place Arena was set on January 2, 2024, drawing 8,318 fans for the inaugural home game of the Ottawa Charge of the Professional Women's Hockey League. This set a new attendance record for professional women's hockey at the venue. In that historic game, the Montreal team defeated Ottawa 3-2 in overtime. The Ottawa 67's, the arena's long time primary tenant, have consistently been one of the top ten junior teams in Canada for attendance. The arena's capacity for hockey is noted as being expandable to roughly 7,000 seats for concerts under the new Lansdowne 2.0 redevelopment plans.

Sources and further reading

• TD Place Arena (Wikipedia)
• OSEG, TD Place | Lansdowne Live (tdplace.ca)
• Lansdowne 2.0 - Engage Ottawa (engage.ottawa.ca)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-28.