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Canadian Tire Centre Guide

NHL · Ottawa · 19,153 capacity

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Last updated: 3/7/2026

Canadian Tire Centre’s location in Kanata, a suburb 20 minutes from downtown, makes staying near the arena the most practical choice. Driving is the easiest way to get here, but on-site payments for parking are not accepted, so purchase your pass in advance. For a faster post-game exit, use the north loop of the Palladium Drive interchange to get on Highway 417.

At a glance

Cashless
Cash accepted in some areas
Re-entry
Re-entry exceptions apply
Gates open
Gates open 60 min before
Outside food
No outside food
Getting here
Public transportation options include OC Transpo buses (Routes 404, 405, and 406 on game/event days), which provide direct service to Canadian Tire Centre.
Family friendly
Most events do not require a ticket for children under two years old, provided they do not occupy a seat.
Capacity
19,153
Home team:Ottawa Senators

No upcoming multi-sport weekend featuring Canadian Tire Centre on the calendar. See Ottawa home weekends on the city hub →

Where to stay for Canadian Tire Centre

Kanata

Centretown

Centretown is Ottawa's downtown core, offering a wide range of accommodation, dining, and entertainment options. Its central location provides good access to various parts of the city and key transit hubs.

Well-served by OC Transpo buses and the O-Train Confederation Line (Line 1). Connections to TD Place are available via Bus Routes 6 and 7 from Bank Street. For Canadian Tire Centre, event buses (400-series) provide direct service from stations like Tunney's Pasture and Hurdman.

See full Ottawa stay guide →

Arrival and exit strategy

Transit and approach

Public transportation options include OC Transpo buses (Routes 404, 405, and 406 on game/event days), which provide direct service to Canadian Tire Centre. Shuttle services are also available from various locations, and taxi and Uber services are readily available, with designated rideshare zones.

Rideshare and parking

Rideshare: Designated Uber pickup and drop-off zones are located near Gates 1 and 3. The specific Uber Zone is situated at Lot 8, accessible via the pedestrian tunnel in front of Gate 1.

Parking: Parking is primarily on-site, with pre-paid passes available for purchase via Ticketmaster. Slap Shot Lots (formerly Lots 5 and 9) require payment and plate registration through the Indigo NEO app/website. Accessible parking is located in Lot A (south side) or Lot 3 (accessible passes purchased until May 2026 remain valid) and requires a valid government-issued accessible parking permit. Parking attendants will not accept on-site payments to expedite ingress. Guests should consider their exit strategy for Highway 417 (Palladium Drive or Terry Fox Drive exits), as arriving and departing traffic is often lighter on the NORTH loop of the Palladium Drive interchange.

Map context

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The game-day experience

  • Atmosphere area: The Canadian Tire Centre is located in Kanata, a suburb of Ottawa, approximately 20 minutes west-southwest of downtown Ottawa. It is accessible from Highway 417 via the Palladium Drive and Terry Fox Drive exits.
  • Signature food: Signature food items include Golden Palace eggrolls (available outside sections 113 and 225) and Brady's Burger (a fresh Bison Burger) offered at Legacy Social. Other food options include stone-fired pizza and fresh-made burgers at Bert's Bar, authentic street food at Ottawa Street Eats (Section 212), and classic stadium fare at Sens Express.
  • Fan tradition: Bert's Bar within the arena is known as the 'official Sens Army headquarters'. Fans are permitted to bring banners and signs to Senators games, provided they do not interfere with the game or other fans' enjoyment, cover any advertising or building signs, compete with existing signage, or display disparaging or obscene messages. Signs larger than 24″ × 24″ must be able to roll up or fold.
  • Pregame institution: The Glen Scottish Restaurant & Pub (6081 Hazeldean Rd Unit 1010, Stittsville, ON K2S 1B9)

Where to eat and drink nearby

Pregame picks

  • Bert's Bar
    Canadian Tire Centre, Gate 1 main entrance, 1000 Palladium Dr, Ottawa, ON K2V 1A4 · Kanata

    The official 'Sens Army headquarters' located inside the Canadian Tire Centre. It's the ultimate spot to feed off pre-game energy, offering 23 big screen HD TVs to catch all the action. Open 2.5 hours prior to puck drop.

    What to order: Stone-fired pizza, fresh made burgers.