Ottawa's Battle for Home Ice: Senators' Efforts to Reclaim Fan Territory
In the heart of Ottawa, a Wednesday night showdown between the Montreal Canadiens and the Ottawa Senators turned the Canadian Tire Centre into a sea of bleu-blanc-rouge. The wave of Canadiens fans was so pronounced, it felt like a home game for the visitors, leaving Senators supporters feeling like strangers in their own arena.
This isn't a new phenomenon for the Senators. When iconic rivals like the Canadiens come to town, their fans often outnumber the hometown crowd. Senators team president Cyril Leeder experienced this firsthand, noting the overwhelming presence of "Go Habs Go" chants that drove him out of his suite.
To combat this, the Senators have devised a strategy to bolster their home advantage. They've offered season ticket holders additional tickets for select rivalry games, including matchups against the Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Pittsburgh Penguins.
The catch? These tickets can't be resold or transferred, ensuring they remain in the hands of true Sens fans.
Peter Shier, the Senators' vice president of marketing, emphasized the importance of maintaining a home-ice atmosphere: “When it doesn’t feel like a home game in your own rink, that’s not good. And we only have 41 of those.”
This isn't the Senators' first attempt to curb the influx of rival fans. Last spring, they restricted ticket transfers for playoff games against the Maple Leafs, resulting in a more pro-Sens environment. Season ticket holder Kevin Lee appreciates the effort, noting the organization’s commitment to strengthening the home crowd presence.
Ottawa's fan base, while passionate, is smaller compared to the neighboring giants in Toronto and Montreal. This, combined with some of the league’s most affordable ticket prices, often leads to a shared home-ice advantage.
Defenceman Jake Sanderson acknowledged the challenge, saying, “We’re used to it. Playing an away game at home.”
The Senators have taken feedback from focus groups to understand why fans sell their tickets. Safety concerns and the opportunity for profit, especially with higher ticket prices for marquee games, are common reasons. While some fans sell for personal safety, others capitalize on the demand from opposing fans willing to pay a premium.
Despite these challenges, the Senators remain hopeful. They recognize that both the team's performance and that of their rivals influence ticket demand. When the Canadiens or Leafs are struggling, the demand from their fans wanes, offering a glimmer of hope for a more balanced crowd.
Looking ahead, the Senators plan to continue this initiative into next season, exploring ideas like a dedicated section for home fans. Leeder and Shier understand they can't eliminate all visiting fans, but they're determined to see more Senators colors filling the seats.
“We know people are under economic pressures,” Shier said. “So, we’re hoping to tap into that sentiment of being a Sens fan.
‘I need to be at these games. My team needs me at those games.’”
As the Senators strive to reclaim their home turf, the battle for fan territory at the Canadian Tire Centre continues, with hopes of seeing more red, black, and white in the stands.