The Ottawa Charge of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) have announced that Canadian Tire Centre will become the team’s primary home venue beginning with the 2026-27 season. This move marks a new chapter for women’s professional hockey in the nation’s capital, as the team relocates from TD Place, where it played its first three seasons.
The decision to move follows the Charge’s successful playoff run, during which they drew significant crowds at the Canadian Tire Centre. The team played all four of its playoff games at the arena this spring, with an average attendance of just over 13,000. Additionally, a regular-season game on April 3 against the Montreal Victoire at the venue attracted a crowd of 17,114.
New Home and Enhanced Facilities
The multi-year agreement will see the Ottawa Charge benefit from upgraded facilities at the Canadian Tire Centre, which is also home to the NHL’s Ottawa Senators. This move will allow the Charge to both play and practice in the same location. Work is already underway to provide the team with a dedicated locker room, a player’s lounge, coaches’ offices, medical space, and an equipment area.
Mike Hirshfeld, the Charge general manager, expressed excitement about the new facilities, stating that the team will likely have some of the top amenities in the PWHL once the upgrades are complete. He also acknowledged concerns from the fan base regarding the move but emphasized the team’s commitment to creating an open and safe environment for supporters, highlighting the increased capacity to welcome more fans.
The relocation comes after the PWHL expressed disappointment over plans for a new, smaller arena at TD Place as part of the Lansdowne 2.0 project. The proposed new arena would have a seating capacity of 5,850, expandable to more than 6,600, a reduction from TD Place’s capacity of over 9,800. Last season, the Charge averaged 7,382 fans through 12 home games at TD Place.
Amy Scheer, the league’s executive vice-president of business operations, had previously called the prospect of playing in a smaller venue a “huge step back” and not a “financial model that makes any kind of sense.” The move to Canadian Tire Centre addresses these concerns by providing a larger venue capable of accommodating the growing fan base.
Partnership and Community Impact
This transition also solidifies an official partnership between the Ottawa Charge and the Ottawa Senators, bringing two major league hockey teams under one roof. Cyril Leeder, president and chief executive officer of the Senators, noted the significance of having both of the best hockey leagues in the world playing in the city and now sharing a venue. He added that Senators owner Michael Andlauer fully supports the agreement, with the goal of ensuring the Charge’s long-term success in the city.
The collaboration between the two organizations is expected to benefit the community. The Ottawa-Gatineau region is home to two professional hockey teams competing at the highest level, and the Charge has developed a substantial following, becoming an important part of the local hockey ecosystem. The move will also unite Senators forward Ridly Greig with his sister, Dara Greig, who signed as a free agent with the Charge.
The momentum for women’s professional hockey has been evident in Ottawa, with fan support at Canadian Tire Centre continuing to build. The Charge averaged 13,641 fans over their first six games at the venue. This includes the record-setting crowd of 17,114 on April 3 against the Montréal Victoire, which established a new women’s hockey attendance record in Ottawa. The team also set a PWHL single-game playoff attendance record with 16,894 fans attending their first 2026 PWHL Walter Cup Finals game on May 18 against the Victoire.
While neither side elaborated on the specifics of the multi-year agreement, the Senators are reportedly working on a deal to build a downtown arena. Leeder indicated that if this project moves forward, they would be interested in designing a campus there for the Charge as well. Hirshfeld confirmed that efforts would be made to ensure any future moves are smooth transitions. The Ottawa Charge is currently accepting deposits for new Season Ticket Memberships for the 2026-27 season.
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Source: sportsnet.ca
