The Professional Women’s Hockey League’s Ottawa Charge will call the Canadian Tire Centre its home beginning with the 2026‑27 season, ending a tenure at TD Place that was secured after a major redevelopment of the Lansdowne Park site.
The move was unveiled at a press conference on Thursday afternoon, where Senators Sports & Entertainment president and CEO Cyril Leeder welcomed the franchise to its new arena and highlighted the team’s rapid growth.
Leadership welcomes the Charge
Attendance figures have already shattered previous records; the opening game of the Walter Cup against Montreal drew 16,894 fans, the highest‑attended women’s hockey game ever held in Ottawa, and a regular‑season matchup on April 3 attracted 17,114 spectators.
Executive vice‑president of hockey operations Amy Scheer expressed disappointment with the redevelopment plan, noting that the Charge’s early success was built on the foundation of TD Place.
General manager Mike Hirshfeld said the new venue will allow the club to welcome even larger crowds and capitalize on the electric atmosphere that fans recreated during the playoffs.
The relocation means the Ottawa‑Gatineau region now hosts two professional hockey teams competing at the highest level, underscoring the capital’s expanding sports landscape.