Game Day and Beyond

NHL team guides

Ottawa Senators

Venue and travel guide

Venue and location

Address

1000 Palladium Drive

Source statement; not independently verified.

City

Ottawa (Kanata district)

Source statement; not independently verified.

State

Ontario

Source statement; not independently verified.

Venue name

Canadian Tire Centre

Source statement; not independently verified.

Parking

Cheapest

Free Kanata Park & Ride (Terry Fox Station) with OC Transpo event-bus shuttle; fans also use free offsite parking at Palladium Auto Park (west) and Silver Seven Road office/Costco area (east), both roughly a 1-mile walk

Source statement; not independently verified.

Guide url

https://www.canadiantirecentre.com/plan-your-visit-1/directions-parking

Source statement; not independently verified.

Accessible parking

Accessible parking available on-site near arena entrances; arrive early as spaces are limited

Source statement; not independently verified.

Payment

Indigo Neo Parking App (Slap Shot lots, contactless mobile payment); prepaid passes via Ticketmaster; card and mobile payment (cashless emphasis)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Premium

Yes — premium/passholder-only lots closest to the arena are reserved for season-ticket and pass holders

Source statement; not independently verified.

Prepaid

Yes — prepaid parking passes and lot reservations available online through Ticketmaster

Source statement; not independently verified.

Prices

General/Slap Shot parking ~C$20 for NHL games (C$25 for concerts, C$20 for family events); typical general range C$15-25, premium nights ~C$30-40

Source statement; not independently verified.

Overview

Canadian Tire Centre offers extensive on-site parking with approximately 6,500 spaces across multiple lots (Lots 1-5, 9). General parking, Priority parking, and Valet parking available. Pre-paid parking encouraged. Event rates range from $12-$30 CAD. Accessible parking available in Lot 1.

Source statement; not independently verified.

Public transport

OC Transpo 400-series Event routes (404, 405, 406) plus regular Routes 62 and 162 serve the arena on event days

Source statement; not independently verified.

Tailgating

N/A — indoor arena (no organized tailgating program published)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Traffic

Highway 417 (Trans-Canada) at the Palladium Drive exit; Huntmar Road and Palladium Drive approaches congest heavily pre/post-event

Source statement; not independently verified.

Types

On-site surface lots surrounding the arena, including passholder-only premium lots and pay lots; contactless "Slap Shot" lots (Lots 5, 6, 7, 9); accessible parking; free Park & Ride options offsite

Source statement; not independently verified.

Rideshare

Accessibility

Accessible drop-off/pickup available near arena entrances; request accessible vehicle (e.g., Uber WAV) in-app where available

Source statement; not independently verified.

Distance

Short walk via the Gate 1 pedestrian tunnel to Lot 8 (a few hundred metres)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Other services

Taxis also serve the venue; no other major branded rideshare zone published

Source statement; not independently verified.

Peak notes

Heavy crowds immediately post-event; surge pricing and wait times common at game/concert end

Source statement; not independently verified.

Post game tips

Head to the Lot 8 Uber Zone via the Gate 1 tunnel; meet the driver at the designated zone rather than curbside to avoid congestion

Source statement; not independently verified.

Overview

Designated Uber and Lyft drop-off and pick-up zone located at the main entrance on Palladium Drive. Post-game, expect moderate wait times. The arena's suburban location means rideshare or driving are the primary access methods.

Source statement; not independently verified.

Uber dropoff

Drop-off at the arena (request "Canadian Tire Centre"); designated drop near the Gate 1 / front plaza area

Source statement; not independently verified.

Uber pickup

Lot 8 "Uber Zone" — reached via the pedestrian tunnel at Gate 1 in front of the arena; pickup is across the street on the right after exiting the tunnel

Source statement; not independently verified.

Wait area

Uber Zone at Lot 8 (across the street after the Gate 1 pedestrian tunnel)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Public transportation

Airport connection

No direct transit; Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) is reached via O-Train Line 2/connections to downtown, then Event/regular bus to the arena (transfers required)

Source statement; not independently verified.

App

OC Transpo website and app (octranspo.com); Presto

Source statement; not independently verified.

Best option

Free Kanata Park & Ride at Terry Fox Station with Event Route 404, or direct 400-series Event route from your nearest station

Source statement; not independently verified.

Bus routes

OC Transpo Event Routes 404, 405, 406 (400-series); regular Routes 62 (weekday) and 162 (7 days/week from Kanata/Stittsville)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Fare

OC Transpo single fare C$3.75; Presto card, OC Transpo app, and contactless payment accepted

Source statement; not independently verified.

Ferry

N/A — inland suburban arena

Source statement; not independently verified.

Nearest station

No rail directly at the arena; nearest O-Train (LRT) connection is at Tunney's Pasture Station (Line 1), linked to the arena by Event Route 404

Source statement; not independently verified.

Overview

OC Transpo provides limited regular bus service (Route 62) to the Canadian Tire Centre area from Tunney's Pasture. The specially-organized 'Sens Special' buses from Park & Ride lots (operational on game days only) are the preferred public transit option. No O-Train (light rail) service to Kanata.

Source statement; not independently verified.

Rail lines

O-Train Line 1 (Confederation Line) connects to event buses; no rail line serves the arena directly

Source statement; not independently verified.

Tips

Return-trip schedules are not posted online; buses depart ~15 minutes after the event ends and serve the same stations as inbound trips

Source statement; not independently verified.

Walking distance

Event buses and Routes 62/162 stop at/near the arena; detour stops on Huntmar Road and Palladium Drive are a short walk pre-event

Source statement; not independently verified.

Shuttles

Accessibility

OC Transpo buses are wheelchair-accessible (low-floor, ramp-equipped)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Cost

OC Transpo regular fare C$3.75 (single fare); Kanata Park & Ride parking is free

Source statement; not independently verified.

Dropoff

Canadian Tire Centre on-site transit drop area

Source statement; not independently verified.

Frequency

Service scaled to event size; return trips depart approximately every few minutes starting ~15 minutes after event end

Source statement; not independently verified.

Notes

400-series routes only operate for major events and require regular fare; Routes 62/162 detour to nearby Huntmar Road and Palladium Drive stops starting about an hour before major events

Source statement; not independently verified.

Operator

OC Transpo (City of Ottawa transit)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Park ride

Terry Fox Station (Kanata) Park & Ride is the primary free lot; other stations along the 400-series routes also offer Park & Ride

Source statement; not independently verified.

Pickup

Transit stations and Park & Ride lots — Tunney's Pasture, Terry Fox, Trim, Place d'Orléans, Riverview, Strandherd, Fallowfield (varies by route)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Overview

OC Transpo operates the 'Sens Special' express bus service from various Park & Ride lots across Ottawa directly to the Canadian Tire Centre on game days. The service is included with game ticket. Multiple routes serve different parts of the city.

Source statement; not independently verified.

Routes

OC Transpo 400-series Event bus routes function as the de facto shuttle network (404 from Tunney's Pasture, 405 from Orléans, 406 from Barrhaven); free Kanata Park & Ride shuttle from Terry Fox Station

Source statement; not independently verified.

Schedule

Event routes run before events and depart ~15 minutes after the event ends; Park & Ride shuttle runs roughly 90 minutes before and up to 60 minutes after events. Return-trip schedules not published online

Source statement; not independently verified.

Bicycles

Overview

Bike racks are available near the main entrance. Limited bike infrastructure in the Kanata area.

Source statement; not independently verified.

Share cost

N/A

Source statement; not independently verified.

Share distance

N/A — not available in the immediate area

Source statement; not independently verified.

Share provider

N/A — no bike share serving the Kanata arena area

Source statement; not independently verified.

Share station

No bike-share station at the arena; Kanata's suburban setting is not served by Ottawa's downtown bike-share network

Source statement; not independently verified.

Tips

The arena is ~25 km from downtown Ottawa in suburban Kanata; cycling is uncommon for events given highway access and winter conditions

Source statement; not independently verified.

Accessibility

Accessible parking

Accessible parking on-site near entrances (Canada uses Accessible Parking Permit standards rather than ADA); limited, arrive early

Source statement; not independently verified.

Assistive listening

Assistive listening devices available; inquire at Guest Services

Source statement; not independently verified.

Contact

Guest Services / arena main line (613) 599-0100; accessible ticketing via Ticketmaster 1-877-788-3267; see canadiantirecentre.com/plan-your-visit-1/accessibility-guide

Source statement; not independently verified.

Dropoff

Accessible drop-off available near arena entrances (Gate 3 area for wheelchair assistance)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Fun fact

Wheelchair escorts are available from Gate 3 to transport guests to and from their seats (the venue keeps a limited stock of wheelchairs for in-venue transport only)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Overview

Canadian Tire Centre is fully ADA-compliant. Accessible seating on all levels. Accessible parking in Lot 1. Elevators serve every level. All entrances are wheelchair accessible. Assistive listening devices and sensory kits at Guest Services.

Source statement; not independently verified.

Restrooms

Accessible/barrier-free restrooms available on all concourses

Source statement; not independently verified.

Service animals

Service animals are welcome; per the venue's Accessible Customer Service Policy

Source statement; not independently verified.

Wheelchair seating

Dedicated wheelchair-accessible seating locations throughout the bowl; book via Ticketmaster (1-877-788-3267)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Food and vendors

Cashless

Yes — Canadian Tire Centre operates as a cashless/card-and-mobile venue

Source statement; not independently verified.

Fun fact

The Ledge on the upper concourse is a standing pub-style viewing area behind the 400 level, letting fans watch the game while grabbing a drink

Source statement; not independently verified.

Local

Golden Palace egg rolls (popular local Ottawa Chinese restaurant), Smoke's Poutinerie, plus Pizza Pizza and Tim Hortons (Ontario staples)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Notable stands

Smoke's Poutinerie, Bert's bar (main concourse), The Ledge pub (upper concourse behind 400 level), Golden Palace egg roll stands

Source statement; not independently verified.

Outside food policy

Outside food and beverage generally not permitted; sealed water and medical/infant exceptions may apply — see arena A-Z guide

Source statement; not independently verified.

Parking Apps Accepted

Indigo Neo Parking App (Slap Shot lots); Ticketmaster for prepaid parking

Source statement; not independently verified.

Overview

Canadian Tire Centre features local Ottawa food options, classic arena fare, and craft beer from Ontario breweries. The Senators Team Store is on the main concourse. Mobile ordering available.

Source statement; not independently verified.

Signature food

Poutine from Smoke's Poutinerie (Canadian chain with multiple stands); the Caesar cocktail is a venue favourite

Source statement; not independently verified.

Venue history

Architect

Rossetti Architects with Murray & Murray Architects

Source statement; not independently verified.

Construction cost

Approximately CA$170 million (1996 dollars)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Famous moments

Hosted the Senators' 2007 run to the Stanley Cup Final; the 2017 playoff run that fell one goal short of the Cup Final; numerous major concerts as Ottawa's largest indoor venue

Source statement; not independently verified.

Fun fact

The arena opened as "The Palladium" and has carried four names (Palladium, Corel Centre, Scotiabank Place, Canadian Tire Centre) — and sits ~25 km from downtown Ottawa, a key driver behind the proposed LeBreton Flats arena

Source statement; not independently verified.

Original capacity

18,500 for hockey (1996-2005)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Original name

The Palladium (renamed Corel Centre in February 1996)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Overview

Opened January 15, 1996 as the Palladium. The Senators reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2007. The arena has undergone multiple naming changes (Corel Centre, Scotiabank Place, Canadian Tire Centre). The Senators plan to move to a new downtown arena at LeBreton Flats in the early 2030s.

Source statement; not independently verified.

Renovations

Renovations/upgrades in 2005, 2012, 2015-2017, and 2025; name changes — Corel Centre (1996), Scotiabank Place (2006), Canadian Tire Centre (2013)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Retired numbers

Daniel Alfredsson No. 11, Chris Phillips No. 4, Chris Neil No. 25; plus banners honoring the original (pre-1934) Senators franchise Stanley Cups

Source statement; not independently verified.

Venue details

Climate

Fully enclosed indoor arena; fans note the concourse can be drafty/cold on winter nights

Source statement; not independently verified.

Elevation

Approximately 295 ft (90 m) above sea level (Kanata, Ottawa area)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Levels

Lower bowl (100 level), club/middle level (200 level), upper bowl (300/400 level) plus a top-level standing concourse

Source statement; not independently verified.

Premium

Luxury suites and club seating available (suites sold via SuiteHop and team premium sales)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Overview

Hockey seating capacity: 18,652. Ice surface: 200 ft × 85 ft. The arena features a traditional bowl design located in suburban Kanata.

Source statement; not independently verified.

Shared tenants

Primary tenant is the Ottawa Senators (NHL); the arena also hosts concerts and major events; the OHL Ottawa 67's have historically used the venue for select games. No permanent co-tenant in 2026

Source statement; not independently verified.

Surface

NHL regulation ice sheet, 200 ft x 85 ft

Source statement; not independently verified.