Ottawa Charge Arena Controversy: PWHL Team Faces Uncertain Future with Lansdowne 2.0 Plans

Ottawa’s Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) team, the Ottawa Charge, has been lighting up the ice and packing the stands—but the city’s latest arena plans might just chill that momentum. The proposed Lansdowne 2.0 redevelopment includes a new event center with a seating capacity of just 5,850. That is a sharp drop from the current TD Place Arena’s 9,000+ capacity. 

Sean Moore, Ottawa’s director of the Lansdowne Park redevelopment project, says it will be around 6,600 with standing room. Cue the collective facepalm from fans, players, and league execs alike.

The Stats Don’t Lie—But the Seats Might

Let’s talk numbers. The Ottawa Charge has consistently drawn thousands of fans for regular-season and playoff games. The Charge’s top attended game was 8,576! They have had multiple games in their two seasons that have been in the 7,000-8,000 attendance range, which is far higher than the new area would allow. That’s not just impressive—it’s record-setting for women’s hockey in Canada.

The TD Place Arena has been a fortress of fan energy, with its 9,000-seat capacity often pushed to the limit. So why would the city propose a new venue that can’t even fit the current crowd?

According to the Lansdowne 2.0 plan, the new arena would seat 5,850, with an additional 750 standing spots. But here’s the kicker: standing room isn’t viable for many fans, especially families, seniors, and those with mobility challenges. So, are the Ottawa Charge really planning to build an arena that excludes a chunk of its most loyal supporters and an area that will limit the ever-growing attendance of Ottawa’s Charge fanbase? In short, maybe.    

PWHL Execs: “Not Viable” Is Putting It Mildly

Amy Scheer, PWHL’s executive VP of business operations, didn’t mince words. She called the new arena plans “not viable” and “a huge step back” for the league. Translation: this could be a dealbreaker. If the city moves forward with the downsized venue, the Ottawa Charge might be forced to charge out of town, though no one from PWHL or The Charge has said this.

Let’s be real—this isn’t just about hockey. It’s about momentum and representation for the growing demand for women’s sports. Ottawa has a chance to be a leader in this space, but instead, it’s flirting with a downgrade that could derail the Charge’s future.

Lansdowne 2.0: Progress Or PR Spin?

City officials argue that the new arena is part of a broader redevelopment plan to revitalize Lansdowne Park. But revitalization shouldn’t mean regression. Ottawa Charge fans aren’t asking for luxury boxes and champagne fountains—they’re asking for seats. Enough seats to support a team that’s proven it can fill them. Mayor Sutcliffe of Ottawa stated on TSN 1200 Mornings, that the city was told the “sweet spot ” is between 5 to 7000 for all the different people who are going to use TD Place, not just the Charge.”

Final Thoughts

So here’s the million-dollar question: Why build smaller when the demand is growing? Are city planners underestimating the power of women’s hockey? Or is it taking the advice of the developers for what size is best for a smaller area, and “all the different people who are going to use TD Place?”

This definitely feels like a slap shot straight at the gut of the Ottawa Charge, their fans, and continued growth in the PWHL’s popularity in Ottawa and with The Charge. Could Ottawa’s arena plans for one of its most exciting teams cause it to consider moving? Should the PWHL start scouting backup cities just in case? Time will tell.