New Ottawa Senators arena takes shape: NCC documents point to about 16,000 seats, mid-2030s opening

The National Capital Commission (NCC) is seeking developers for a new Ottawa Senators arena: a request for proposals issued October 30 indicates the venue in the Aqueduct District of LeBreton Flats could seat approximately 16,000 fans and open in the mid-2030s. The Ottawa Citizen reported the arena would be slightly smaller than the current Canadian Tire Centre, which seats about 17,000. (Photo: file image of a hockey arena, source: Ottawa Citizen.)

Homes and businesses alongside, near the Canadian War Museum

The NCC's developer request aims to build the new arena alongside homes and other businesses near the Canadian War Museum, which attracts 500,000 people a year. The NCC is the federal Crown corporation responsible for development and urban planning in Canada's Capital Region. The Senators have not publicly released plans for a new facility, but have been working with architects on the design of the arena and the surrounding district; club president and CEO Cyril Leeder has said the team hopes to unveil its plans early in 2027.

Land bought last year; current rink expands past 18,000

The Ottawa Citizen reported last year that Senators owner Michael Andlauer and his partners had purchased 11 acres of land in the LeBreton Flats area with the intention of building a new arena there. The club's current home, Canadian Tire Centre, seats about 17,000 and can be expanded to more than 18,000 for marquee regular-season games and playoff games.

Sources: National Capital Commission request for developer proposals (October 30, 2026, via the Ottawa Citizen / Postmedia).