Professional Women's Hockey League Rejects Ottawa's Proposed Arena
The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) has declared it will not play at the proposed Landsdowne 2.0 development, creating significant uncertainty about the future of the Ottawa Charge franchise. The decision, announced on November 22, 2025, stems from what team officials describe as an unacceptable seating capacity that fails to accommodate their rapidly growing fan base.
Growing Fan Base Meets Limited Seating
According to reports from Annie Bergeron-Oliver, the Ottawa Charge organization has expressed deep concerns about the planned arena's specifications. The professional women's hockey team argues that the proposed venue with fewer seats contradicts their expansion goals and the increasing popularity of women's professional hockey in the nation's capital.
The team's management emphasized that their decision reflects the reality of their current attendance numbers and projected growth. Ottawa's professional women's hockey team has been drawing larger crowds than anticipated since joining the PWHL, making adequate seating capacity a critical factor in their long-term viability and fan experience.
Future of Ottawa Charge Uncertain
This rejection of the Landsdowne 2.0 facility leaves the Ottawa Charge without a confirmed home venue for future seasons. The situation creates immediate challenges for team operations, ticket sales, and community engagement efforts that typically rely on stable venue arrangements.
The timing of this announcement adds pressure to city officials and developers to reconsider the arena plans or identify alternative solutions. With the team's popularity on the rise, the seating capacity issue has become a central point of contention in the ongoing development discussions.
Local sports fans and community supporters are now watching closely to see how this impasse will be resolved, as the absence of a suitable home arena could potentially impact the team's continued presence in Ottawa.
