Ottawa Charge Locking In a Bigger Stage
Ottawa's professional women's hockey team isn't going anywhere — and they're getting an upgrade. The PWHL's Ottawa Charge have reached an agreement to play out of Canadian Tire Centre, the home of the NHL's Ottawa Senators, starting next season, according to two people with knowledge of the discussions who spoke to The Associated Press.
The news is a significant win for women's hockey in the nation's capital, signalling that the PWHL is serious about growing the sport and giving its Ottawa franchise the kind of platform it deserves.
What This Means for Ottawa Fans
Playing at Canadian Tire Centre puts the Charge in one of the best hockey facilities in the country. The arena seats over 19,000 for hockey — a massive jump from the smaller venues the PWHL has used in some markets. For Ottawa fans who've been packing stands and showing up in force for Charge games, this deal opens the door to bigger crowds, better production value, and a real NHL-calibre game-day experience.
It also sends a clear message: Ottawa is a serious hockey market, and women's hockey belongs in the spotlight alongside its male counterpart.
The PWHL's Growing Momentum
The Professional Women's Hockey League launched in 2024 to immediate fanfare, and Ottawa was one of its cornerstone franchises. The Charge quickly developed a devoted local following, with fans eager to support elite women's hockey at home.
This arena deal fits into a broader trend of the PWHL cementing itself as a legitimate major professional league. Securing marquee venues in each market is part of that strategy — and landing Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa is a big piece of the puzzle.
A Win for Women's Sports in the Capital
Beyond the hockey world, this deal matters for women's sports in Ottawa more broadly. The city has shown time and again that it supports its teams — from the PWHL Charge to PWHL playoff runs — and having a high-profile home base only strengthens that connection.
For young girls in Ottawa who dream of playing professional hockey, seeing the Charge take the ice at Canadian Tire Centre is the kind of visibility that changes the game.
What's Next
While the deal has not been officially announced yet, expectations are that the Charge will tip off their next season at Canadian Tire Centre. Fans should watch for official confirmation from the PWHL and the Ottawa Senators organization in the coming weeks.
If you haven't caught a Charge game yet, next season just became the perfect time to start.
Source: CBC Ottawa / The Associated Press
