Ottawa Senators constructing a new ice rink, aiming to create a leading NHL team
The Ottawa Senators have made a major move towards building a new arena in downtown Ottawa, with the team's development arm, Capital Sports Development Inc., finalising a purchase and sale agreement with the National Capital Commission (NCC) for 4.5 hectares (11 acres) of land at LeBreton Flats.
This deal, announced on August 11, 2025, marks a significant step towards constructing a new downtown arena for the Senators. The new arena district will include mixed-use development alongside the event centre, anchored by the Senators’ arena.
The move follows years of negotiation and planning, with former owner Eugene Melnyk showing initial interest in the site as early as 2018. The new owner, Michael Andlauer, has advanced the long-planned effort, effectively ruling out relocation to Québec City despite some pre-season games being played there recently.
However, despite this significant step, actual construction is still years away. The land deal allows the project to proceed with zoning, design, approvals, and site decontamination, but these steps mean that construction is not imminent. Senators president and CEO Cyril Leeder emphasised caution, noting many hurdles remain before construction begins, including financing and regulatory approvals.
The current arena, Canadian Tire Centre, is located some 25 kilometers west in Kanata, far from downtown. The new location will be more attractive to fans and stakeholders alike, bringing the Senators closer to the heart of the city.
On the ice, the Senators are also making strides. After reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2017, they improved their defensive play significantly in the 2024-25 season. Brady Tkachuk, the team captain and one of the cover athletes for EA Sports' NHL 26 game, led the team with 57 points during the regular season and scored the overtime goal that extended the Senators' playoff run.
Jake Sanderson, a 22-year-old defenseman, also had a strong season, chipping in 57 points during the regular season. Steve Staios re-signed Claude Giroux to a new one-year contract, with a $2 million base salary and $2.75 million in potential performance bonuses.
As the Senators prepare to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their current home, the Canadian Tire Centre, on Jan. 17, 2026, they will be looking forward to the day when they can call a new downtown arena their home.
Sources: [1] Ottawa Senators finalise land deal for new arena at LeBreton Flats, CBC News, August 11, 2025. [2] Ottawa Senators take significant step towards new arena with LeBreton Flats land deal, Sportsnet, August 11, 2025. [3] Ottawa Senators' new owner Michael Andlauer rules out move to Québec City, Ottawa Citizen, August 12, 2025.
- The Ottawa Senators' new downtown arena, housed in the mixed-use development at LeBreton Flats, will be a focal point for National Hockey League (NHL) fans and stakeholders alike, marking a shift from their current location at the Canadian Tire Centre.
- While Erik Karlsson, Travis Green, and Claude Giroux continue to make significant contributions to the Senators' on-ice performance, their future success will be shaped by the construction of a new arena, with the team eying an NHL-worthy facility in the heart of Ottawa.
