The Ottawa Senators are putting a fresh twist on the 300 level at Canadian Tire Centre, and the goal is clear: give fans more reasons to linger, mingle and watch the game in a different way.
The club unveiled plans Thursday for a new fan deck in the arena, part of a wider set of upgrades being rolled out while the dream of a downtown building at LeBreton Flats remains on the horizon. This latest project is designed to modernize the in-game experience, and it comes with a major tradeoff: 850 seats are being removed between sections 328 and 301, behind Ottawa’s defensive zone in the first and third periods.
In their place, the Senators are building a large social space that will include a bar, concession booths, lounging areas and a broad viewing section. Right now, the space does not have a sponsor attached to it.
Construction started Aug. 30, and the team expects the work to be finished in time for the home opener against the Philadelphia Flyers on Oct. 8.
“The fans now want more social spaces,” Senators president and CEO Cyril Leeder said. “You see that at other buildings.
Obviously, you saw that at the renovation at Lansdowne. could put in more seats, but the fans want that social experience. They want that ability toget up, walk around, interact with other fans.
I think it‘ll be our largest space in the buildingin terms of social spaces.”
Leeder, who turns 67 this month, was also asked by long-time Citizen reporter Wayne Scanlan whether the team had a specific audience in mind for the new addition.
The fan deck is the latest step in a series of arena additions by the Senators. In 2016-17, the team opened the Molson Fan Deck between sections 214 and 216, where live music is often played during intermissions.
Then came Club Bell in 2022-23, a private space below for the team’s more affluent supporters. The following season, the Milk Zone was added above in the 300s as a lower-cost option for teens and young adults.
Leeder also pointed to another building that has leaned hard into social spaces: the Toronto Blue Jays’ Roger Centre. The Jays have found success with general admission areas, where fans can buy an Outfield District ticket and access five spots with bars, food stands and field views: Corona Rooftop Patio, TD Park Social, The Catch Bar, The Stop and WestJet Flight Deck.
For now, though, the Senators are not planning to offer a general admission ticket this season.
In Other News...
Ottawa 67's Need These Two Prospects To Set The Tone
The Ottawa 67s are heading toward the start of their season with a couple of 19-year-olds expected to help shape the tone early. Spencer Bowes, a recent New York Rangers draft pick, looks ready to be a significant winger in the mix after a strong preseason opener, while David Bedkowski has come back with a more physically imposing frame and the kind of presence the club wants from an overager on the back end.
Both prospects matter for more than just their own development, because the 67s are looking for players who can set an example before the regular season begins in September. With the preseason schedule wrapping up this weekend, the next step is seeing whether Bowes can keep building on his early momentum and whether Bedkowski can translate his added strength and leadership role into the sort of steadying influence a young roster tends to need. [Read more 🡒]
Senators Are Making A Fresh Pitch To Win Ottawa Back
The Ottawa Senators used a media event this week to put a fresh face on their latest offseason push, introducing a new campaign built around a slogan meant to capture the kind of identity the franchise wants to project heading into the 2026-27 season. The club also used the setting to spotlight the improvements made since its latest playoff elimination, part of a broader effort to reconnect with a fan base that has watched plenty of turnover in recent years.
Behind the scenes, the marketing department framed the message as more than a tagline, tying it to the teams larger effort to make supporters feel part of what comes next. There is also a sign the pitch may be landing, with season ticket sales sitting above where they were a year ago, even as the real test remains whether the roster changes and the new branding can translate into something sturdier when the games count again. [Read more 🡒]
Senators Scoring Search Just Took An Unexpected Turn
The Senators search for more punch appears to have taken a turn away from one of the biggest names still on the board. Ottawa had previously discussed the possibility of signing unrestricted free agent Patrik Laine, a player whose shot and scoring history naturally made him an intriguing fit for a team looking to add offense, but the latest reporting suggests that path is no longer being seriously pursued.
For a club trying to sharpen its attack, the decision to move on from a proven scorer is a notable one, especially with the market around the league still shifting. Toronto has already hit the NHLs 50-contract limit after signing Brendan Brisson, and Detroit captain Dylan Larkins reported stance on a possible Montreal deal adds another wrinkle to the trade landscape, leaving Ottawa to keep watching how the rest of the scoring market settles. [Read more 🡒]