Question 1

What is the capacity of Canadian Tire Centre?

Accepted Answer

Canadian Tire Centre seats 18,652 for Ottawa Senators hockey, with the building wrapping around the ice as a single bowl across three levels. For concerts, capacity stretches to roughly 19,500 when end-stage seats behind the rigging are sold and a general admission floor pit is configured. Suite-level capacity adds private boxes on top of the bowl total. The building opened in 1996 with a similar bowl footprint and has carried roughly the same NHL capacity since.

Question 2

How early should I leave to beat the post-game parking exit?

Accepted Answer

The honest answer is either much earlier than you'd like or much later than you'd like. The exit queue out of the surface lots onto Palladium Drive and the 417 westbound can run 30 to 45 minutes on a sold-out Senators night. Veteran fans either leave with five minutes left on the clock to clear the lot before the crowd hits, or stay inside the concourse for a coffee, watch the post-game show on the boards, and walk out 25 minutes after the final buzzer when the queue has cleared. Fighting the middle is the worst option.

Question 3

Is there shuttle service to Canadian Tire Centre?

Accepted Answer

Yes. OC Transpo runs dedicated event-day shuttle service on Senators game nights and most major concerts from Tunney's Pasture O-Train station, Bayshore Shopping Centre, and a rotating list of park-and-ride lots in the western suburbs. Shuttles typically start running roughly 90 minutes before puck drop or doors and return to the same hubs after the event ends. The shuttle is the most reliable way to avoid the post-game parking queue and the official OC Transpo event service page lists the current pick-up locations and fares.

Question 4

Is Canadian Tire Centre family-friendly?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Senators run family-focused promotions throughout the regular season with kids' giveaways, mascot Spartacat appearances, and discounted family ticket packages. The 300 level is the cheapest seating and generally quieter, which makes it the practical pick for parents with young children. Concession stands carry kid-portion meals, the team store stocks gear down to toddler sizes, and sensory rooms with noise-cancelling headphones can be reserved free in advance through Guest Services. Family shows like Disney on Ice and the Harlem Globetrotters use the venue every winter.

Question 5

Is Canadian Tire Centre wheelchair accessible?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Step-free entry is available at every main gate with accessible elevators on every level. Dedicated wheelchair seating with companion seats is scattered through the 100, 200, and 300 levels and can be booked through the Senators ticket office or the online accessibility filter. Accessible parking with reserved spaces is in the surface lots closest to the south main entrance with a posted permit. Service animals are welcome throughout the building, and assistive listening devices are available free at Guest Services on the main concourse.

Question 6

What is the bag policy at Canadian Tire Centre?

Accepted Answer

Canadian Tire Centre allows small soft-sided bags only — typical NHL arena limits run roughly 14 inches by 14 inches by 6 inches. Hard-sided coolers, full-sized backpacks, and any rigid carrier are not permitted. All bags are searched at the gate. Medical bags, diaper bags, and bags carrying mobility or accessibility equipment are exempt with a quick inspection. There is no bag check service at the building — if your bag fails the size check you'll need to return it to your vehicle, so travel light.

Question 7

How do I pick up will-call tickets?

Accepted Answer

Canadian Tire Centre is largely mobile-ticket only — most Senators tickets and concert tickets are delivered to your phone and scanned at the gate. For will-call pickup of paper tickets or guest list entry, head to the main box office on the south side of the building with photo ID matching the purchaser's name. The box office opens roughly two hours before puck drop for hockey and one hour before doors for concerts. Bring the credit card used for purchase and the confirmation number.

Question 8

Is there re-entry at Canadian Tire Centre?

Accepted Answer

Re-entry is generally not permitted at Canadian Tire Centre. Once your ticket has been scanned at the gate, leaving the building ends your access for the night — even if you only step outside to your car or for a quick walk in the lot. Limited exceptions exist for medical reasons or for fans accompanying minors and are handled at Guest Services on the main concourse. For concerts, the no-re-entry rule is enforced strictly across the board, so plan your trip into the building accordingly.

Question 9

Can I bring food into Canadian Tire Centre?

Accepted Answer

Outside food and beverage is generally not permitted at Canadian Tire Centre. Factory-sealed water bottles are usually allowed up to roughly 600 millilitres, and small individual snacks for medical or dietary needs are reviewed at the gate. Glass containers, alcohol, large coolers, and outside hot food are not permitted. The full concession program inside the building includes BeaverTails, local Ottawa craft beer, and the usual hot food and snack lineup. Specific event policies can vary slightly for touring artists — check the event listing on TicketNetwork.

Question 10

Where is Lost and Found at Canadian Tire Centre?

Accepted Answer

Lost and found is handled through the Guest Services desk on the main concourse during events and through the Senators corporate office line at Canadian Tire Centre for items recovered after the building has emptied. The fastest path: report the item to the nearest usher or security officer before you leave the building. For items found after the event, call the building's main switchboard or use the contact form on the Senators website with the seat location and a description, and the operations team will check the recovered-items log.

Question 11

How do I buy tickets for events at Canadian Tire Centre?

Accepted Answer

Pick an event from the list above, open its interactive seat map, choose your exact seats, and check out securely on this site — there is no redirect to a third-party site. Tickets are delivered electronically for fast entry at Canadian Tire Centre.

Question 12

Where are the cheapest seats at Canadian Tire Centre?

Accepted Answer

The best value at Canadian Tire Centre is usually the upper-level and end sections furthest from the action, which carry the lowest resale prices; with 18,652 seats there is typically enough inventory to find options near or below face value on non-marquee dates. Mid-level center sections balance price and sightlines.

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