In early August, Cyril Leeder told Ottawa Senators season seat members that this summer would be the organization’s most ambitious yet in terms of improving the fan experience at Canadian Tire Centre.
On Thursday morning, team executives gave details of the work that had been done over the summer to make that happen.
“We’re not forgetting about this place,” said Chris Phillips, Vice President of Community and Business Development, to a room of team staff, media, bloggers, and social media influencers.
New for 2026–27 will be a Fan Deck on the 300-level, between sections 328 and 301. The general admission area will have food and beverage service and be open to anyone with a ticket. Standing-room tickets may go on sale for select games throughout the year.
Gone will be Bert’s Bar, which was located near Gate 2. In its place will be a brand-new sports bar, which will operate even on nights without Senators games. A name was chosen via fan vote and will be announced at a later date.
Peter Shier, Vice President of Marketing, revealed more details about the organization’s new bus program, Sens Army Express. The free bus service will take fans from Molson bars spread throughout Ottawa-Gatineau to the Canadian Tire Centre for every Ottawa Senators home game this season.
Shier also unveiled the team’s new slogan, The Hill We Choose. The marketing team conducted focus groups with fans and spoke to different members of the community to develop the new branding. In French, the slogan translates to Le Sommet Que Nous Choisissons.
The team will bring back familiar promotional nights like Star Wars Night, Arcade Night, and Sparty’s Birthday. New will be CATAN Night on Monday, Nov. 23. Shier said the team will be the only pro sports team in Canada to have a CATAN-themed game this year.
The team will host two bobblehead nights again, one early in the year, and one near the end of the season, on April 4. The style of the April 4 bobblehead has never been done before in the NHL, said Shier. Thursday, April 8 will be fan appreciation night against the Washington Capitals. Saturday, April 10 will be a home game against Montreal, the 100th anniversary of the team’s Stanley Cup win in 1927.
In the near future, though, is the NHL Prospect Challenge at Centre Slush Puppie in Gatineau. Leeder announced that there will be an open practice on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 10 a.m. ahead of the team's Prospect Challenge game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at 6 p.m. that night.
The following Saturday, Sept. 19, the team will host Fan Fest at Canadian Tire Centre from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. The annual event will have a red carpet, with opportunities for fans to see players and obtain autographs. There will also be a DJ and food and drink options, along with face painting for kids.
Then, on Thursday, Oct. 8, it will be time for the real season to get underway. Both Shier and Leeder said that the home opener against Philadelphia will have a very different look and feel compared to other games.
“We are going to hopefully blow the doors off the place for our home opener. We've got a lot of new things planned, put on a bit of a different experience for fans moving forward,” said Shier.
“If our fans don’t feel like it’s a special night, then we’ve really dropped that ball in that regard,” said Leeder. “I think we’re going to do everything we can, pull out all the stops, to make Thursday, Oct. 8, a special game, and an opening night to be remembered.”
Brendan Du Vall, Vice President of Ticket Sales and Service, announced that first-half single-game tickets would go on sale beginning Tuesday, Sept. 8, for season seat members. On Wednesday, Sept. 9, Sens Insiders can purchase theirs at 10 a.m., and then the general public will have access at 1 p.m.
Du Vall also said that in addition to the rivalry ticket program, the organization is rolling out a brand-new program for verified Sens fans. Through the Senators app, fans will be able to verify their fandom and receive discounts and other incentives for rivalry nights.
Jacqueline Belsito, President of the Senators Community Foundation, announced that $3.2 million had been donated across 74 local organizations. With the funds, the charities were able to provide financial support for more than 700 children to attend sport and recreation camps, more than 1,000 meals to families throughout Ottawa-Gatineau, and care for thousands of children in need.
Stay tuned for more information on the arena's new offerings and don't miss out on the action this season — get your tickets for an upcoming game now.
