Ottawa Senators tickets: your guide to the 2026-27 season
The Senators bring NHL hockey to the Canadian capital, in a suburban arena that rocks on rivalry nights. Ottawa opens at home on October 8, 2026, plays a Global Series game in Düsseldorf in December and closes the home schedule on April 10, 2027. Here is how to pick a date, a seat and a smart way to book.
Hockey in the capital: why watch the Senators in 2026-27
Ottawa has a hockey tradition that goes back to the earliest days of the Stanley Cup, and the modern Senators, who returned to the NHL in 1992, carry that heritage with pride. The team has a passionate, bilingual fan base, a loud building and a chant that every visitor hears quickly: Go Sens Go.
For a European visitor, a Senators game is also a window into Canadian life. You see families, students and government workers who come after the day job, all wearing red, black and white. The mood is warm, informed and a little underdog-minded.
Senators home games 2026-27 at a glance
Ottawa plays 42 home games in the 84-game season. The first is on October 8, 2026 and the last regular-season home game is on April 10, 2027, the final day of the NHL calendar, against Montreal.
Canadian Tire Centre: the Senators' home in Kanata
Canadian Tire Centre holds 17,010 for hockey and opened in 1996. It stands in Kanata, a western suburb of Ottawa, surrounded by parking lots and a retail area, rather than in the downtown core. That makes it feel like a classic North American arena night out.
Getting to Canadian Tire Centre from downtown Ottawa
The easiest way is by car or rideshare, since the arena sits roughly a half hour from the centre in normal traffic. Event-night bus services and park-and-ride options are commonly offered, so check the official team site for the current plan. Parking lots are large but crowded for big games.
Eating, drinking and bag rules at Canadian Tire Centre
Inside, expect typical arena fare, with Canadian touches like poutine. Nearby restaurants and pubs fill up before the game. Bag size limits and security checks apply, as in every NHL arena, so travel light.
Where to sit for a Senators game
The arena is a classic bowl with lower, club and upper levels. Sightlines are generally good, but the building is larger than the old Ottawa arenas, so seat choice makes a difference to the feel.
Affordable seats for Senators games
The upper level is the cheapest way in. The first rows give you a clear overview of the play, and the sound still fills the bowl. Corner seats in the lower bowl are another good option, often cheaper than centre ice.
Family and first-timer tips at Canadian Tire Centre
For young children, aisle seats make trips to the concourse easy. Weeknight games against teams from the West are calmer than the Battle of Ontario. Wear layers: Ottawa is cold in winter, and the walk from the parking lot can be long.
Arrive early: the concourses are roomy, but lines for food form fast right before the opening faceoff.
Senators atmosphere: Go Sens Go and the capital crowd
A Senators night starts in the parking lot and continues at the doors, where fans in team sweaters take a quick photo with the mascot, a lion named Spartacat. The anthem is sung in both English and French, a nice local touch, and the crowd erupts for big hits and goals.
The best moments come when the home team scores: the horn, the music and thousands of fans chanting. Rivals' fans are noticeable, especially for Toronto and Montreal, which adds to the fun.
What a Senators night at Canadian Tire Centre feels like
Friendly and passionate. Locals talk to visitors easily, and the building gets loud, especially on Saturday nights and rival games. If you want a quieter night, a midweek game against a Western team is the better choice.
Senators rivalries and the Düsseldorf game
Ottawa's best-known rivals are in Ontario and Quebec, and the team will also cross the Atlantic this season.
The Senators in Düsseldorf: a Global Series game
On December 18, 2026, the Senators are the designated home team against the Chicago Blackhawks at the PSD Bank Dome in Düsseldorf, Germany. A second game follows on December 20, 2026, with Chicago as the designated home team. For European fans, that is a rare chance to see the Senators without crossing the ocean.
Senators vs Maple Leafs: the Battle of Ontario
Toronto visits Canadian Tire Centre on January 20, 2027 and February 13, 2027, a Saturday that often sells out quickly. This is the biggest rivalry on the home schedule.
Senators vs Canadiens at Canadian Tire Centre
Montreal arrives on March 13, 2027 and April 10, 2027, the final home game of the season. A cross-province clash between two Canadian capitals of hockey culture.
Senators vs Sabres: a divisional neighbour
Buffalo visits on December 14, 2026 and March 7, 2027. It is a close-to-border clash with fans on both sides.
Buying Senators tickets smartly, including from Europe
Prices tend to be lower for weeknight games against Western teams and in the early weeks of the season. Rivalry games, Saturdays and the finale cost more. Always compare the all-in price including fees before paying, and check both the official box office and resale marketplaces.
Booking Senators tickets from France and Europe
Ottawa is on Eastern time, six hours behind Central Europe, so evening puck drops finish after midnight in France. Tickets are on your phone, and an international card is all you need. Check the Düsseldorf dates too, because the time zone is kinder for European fans.
Planning an Ottawa trip around the Senators schedule
October is crisp and colourful, while January and February are very cold. Combine a game with the Parliament Hill, the ByWard Market, a Rideau Canal skate in winter, or the museums along the river. A rental car or rideshare is useful for Kanata.
If the Düsseldorf game is closer to you, compare it with a trip to Ottawa: European tickets there may suit a short winter break better.
A capital-city weekend with the Senators
Ottawa is compact, friendly and full of free or inexpensive attractions, so a Senators game fits neatly into a two or three-day visit.
What to do before a Senators game
Visit Parliament Hill, walk the canal, or sample a BeaverTails pastry in the ByWard Market. If you have time, cross the river to Gatineau for a different, French-speaking atmosphere.
Making the most of Canadian Tire Centre nights
Give yourself plenty of time to reach Kanata, since traffic can be heavy before puck drop. After the game, rideshare lines can be long, so plan your return in advance or wait a few minutes for the crowds to thin.