How Much Is Parking at Canadian Tire Centre?
Parking at Canadian Tire Centre costs $20–$60 depending on the lot and event type, with general parking starting at $20 for Ottawa Senators NHL games.
General parking in Lots 5 and 9 — the Slap Shot lots — runs $20 per car for Senators games. Lots 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7 are also available for general parking at rates that can climb higher depending on demand and event tier. Valet parking is available at $60. Bus and recreational vehicle parking is $75 for full-sized vehicles and $60 for half-sized vehicles, purchasable through Ticketmaster. Concert and premium event pricing is typically $25 or more across most lots.
All Canadian Tire Centre parking lots are cashless. Payment must be made by pre-purchased pass through Ticketmaster.ca, by debit or credit card at the lot, or through the Indigo Neo parking app for Slap Shot lots. Slap Shot lots must be paid upon arrival or up to four hours in advance of event time through the Indigo Neo app on your mobile device.
Canadian Tire Centre Parking Lots and Maps
Canadian Tire Centre has over 6,500 on-site parking spaces spread across several numbered lots, all managed by Indigo Park Canada.
Lots 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7 are the main general parking lots surrounding the arena. Lots 5 and 9 are the designated Slap Shot lots — contactless, app-pay lots priced at $20 for NHL games. Lot 5 fills up approximately 30 minutes before event start, so arriving early is critical. Lot 9 is the farthest lot from the arena, accessible via Cyclone Taylor Blvd. from either Huntmar Rd. or Palladium Dr. Lot A is the designated accessible parking area at the southeast corner of the building.
The arena is accessible from two Highway 417 exits: Palladium Drive (Exit 142) and Terry Fox Drive. Coming from the east, take the Terry Fox Drive exit, turn left onto Terry Fox, then right onto Palladium Drive. Coming from the west, take the Palladium Drive exit southbound and follow the interchange. Vehicles in Lots 2, 6, and 7 have three dedicated exit lanes onto Cyclone Taylor Boulevard after Senators home games. Vehicles in Lot 1 can exit directly onto eastbound Highway 417 (The Queensway) after Senators games and select concerts.
Preferred/Premium Parking at Canadian Tire Centre
The closest and most premium parking at Canadian Tire Centre is Lot 1, which combines season-ticket-holder reserved spaces with valet service — it is the most expensive lot on the property.
Lot 1 is located on Cyclone Taylor Blvd. nearest to the arena entrance and is primarily reserved for passholders. Self-parking in Lot 1 with a pass runs approximately $30 per event. Valet parking is priced at $60 and is located at the Lincoln Gate and Dodge Gate (Gate 2 on the north side of the building). Because valet is limited in availability, pre-purchasing a valet pass through Ticketmaster.ca or Indigo before game day is strongly recommended. Limousines use a separate drop-off and staging area accessed through Gate 2, with a fee of $60 payable by debit or credit.
Lot 4 is another mid-tier option positioned closer to the arena than the budget lots. It features a reconfigured exit with dedicated right- and left-turn lanes onto Huntmar Drive for faster post-game departure. Lot 4 has a limited number of spots and fills quickly, so it is best booked in advance.
Free Parking Near Canadian Tire Centre
There is no free parking in the official Canadian Tire Centre lots — every on-site lot charges an event-day fee.
Fans willing to walk can find free parking near the Palladium Auto Park complex to the west of the arena, or at the Costco shopping center on Silver Seven Road to the east. Both free options put you approximately one mile from the arena entrance. That is a significant walk on a cold Ottawa winter night, so plan accordingly and dress for the weather.
Because Canadian Tire Centre is located approximately 22 km west-southwest of downtown Ottawa, street parking in surrounding residential or commercial areas is extremely sparse and unreliable. For most fans, the most practical budget move is booking a general Slap Shot lot (Lot 5 or Lot 9) in advance at $20 rather than attempting a long cold-weather walk from a free remote spot. Arriving at least 60 to 90 minutes before puck drop gives you the best shot at lower-tier general lots before they fill.
Can You Tailgate at Canadian Tire Centre?
Tailgating is not permitted in any of the Canadian Tire Centre parking lots.
The venue has specific policies in place that prohibit tailgating to maintain a safe and managed environment on event days. Fans looking for a pre-game atmosphere are encouraged to use the arena’s on-site food and drink options. Canadian Tire Centre has several restaurants and bars inside the building including Bert’s, LEGACY, Club CIBC, the Molson Fan Deck, The Royal Oak, The Ledge, and Brookstreet Lounge. Many of these open when doors do — two hours before Senators games and one hour before most other events.
For a pre-game gathering spot, nearby options along the Kanata strip include bars and restaurants a short drive from the arena. Traffic on Highway 417 and Palladium Drive gets heavy within 60–90 minutes of game time, so leaving a pre-game location early gives you time to park and settle in.
ADA and Handicap Parking at Canadian Tire Centre
Accessible parking at Canadian Tire Centre is located in Lot A at the southeast corner of the arena and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
To access Lot A, you must present a government-issued accessible parking hang tag to the lot attendant. Once in the accessible lot, you may either purchase a regular parking pass at the lot or present any pre-paid parking pass you already purchased through Ticketmaster. Guests without a government-issued hang tag will be redirected to a general parking lot. Lot A provides convenient proximity to Gate 3, which is the designated accessible entrance on the south side of the building.
Para Transpo drop-off and pick-up for guests requiring accessible transit is located at Gate 3 on the south side of Canadian Tire Centre. Wheelchair escorts are available from Gate 3 when doors open and will take guests to their seats, with arranged pick-up at the end of the event. For Para Transpo reservations, call 613-244-7272. For additional accessibility inquiries, contact Canadian Tire Centre at 613-599-0122 or email accessibility@ottawasenators.ca.
Uber and Lyft Drop-Off at Canadian Tire Centre
The designated rideshare drop-off and pick-up zone at Canadian Tire Centre is on Frank Finnigan Way, directly in front of Gate 1 on the east side of the building.
Uber and Lyft both service Canadian Tire Centre, with rideshare zones confirmed near Gates 1 and 3. For drop-off, guests are directed to Frank Finnigan Way; the official venue drop-off instructions state guests may use Frank Finnigan Way located directly in front of Gate 1. After the game, rideshare demand spikes sharply and surge pricing is common. To reduce wait time and cost, consider waiting 10–15 minutes after the final buzzer or walking a short distance from the main crowd before requesting a ride.
Captial Taxi and Blue Line Taxi also operate service to and from Canadian Tire Centre for fans who prefer traditional cab service. Note that Frank Finnigan Way operates as a one-way southbound road before, during, and after all events, so drivers must turn right (west) onto Palladium Drive to exit the site.
Public Transit to Canadian Tire Centre
OC Transpo operates special event bus service directly to Canadian Tire Centre for all Ottawa Senators games and major events, making transit a viable option for fans coming from across the Ottawa region.
OC Transpo Routes 401, 402, 403, 404, and 405 all connect to Canadian Tire Centre for Senators games and major concerts. For smaller events, Route 404 runs. The 400 series buses begin service approximately 90 minutes before event start time and continue running through the hour after the event ends. The nearest stop is located at CTC Cyclone Taylor / Frank Finnigan. The journey from central Ottawa takes roughly 40 minutes.
For fans traveling from the Outaouais region in Quebec, STO (Société de transport de l’Outaouais) cross-river connections are available — contact STO at 819-770-3243 for event-day service details. Using transit eliminates all parking costs and post-game traffic stress, making it one of the smartest choices for fans coming from downtown Ottawa or Gatineau.
Canadian Tire Centre Parking Tips
The single most important Canadian Tire Centre parking tip is to pre-purchase your pass through Ticketmaster.ca before game day — all lots are cashless and popular lots sell out well before puck drop.
Lot 5 fills approximately 30 minutes before the event, so arriving 75–90 minutes early locks in a general parking spot without stress. If Lot 5 is sold out, Lot 9 is your reliable backup — it never fills completely but requires a longer walk. Fans exiting Lot 1 get the fastest post-game egress by using the dedicated on-ramp directly onto eastbound Highway 417. Fans in Lots 2, 6, and 7 benefit from three exit lanes onto Cyclone Taylor Boulevard after Senators home games.
When driving from either direction, the Palladium Drive North route tends to have less traffic congestion on game days. After the game, heading north on Huntmar Drive and using the north loop of the Palladium Drive interchange to access Highway 417 is typically faster than turning left onto Palladium Drive. Downloading the Indigo Neo app in advance lets you pay for Slap Shot lots remotely and skip the payment line entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does parking cost at Canadian Tire Centre for Senators games?
General parking in the Slap Shot lots (Lots 5 and 9) costs $20 for Ottawa Senators NHL games. Closer and preferred lots like Lot 4 run higher, and valet parking is $60. Concert and premium events may be priced at $25 or more.
Can I pay for parking with cash at Canadian Tire Centre?
No u2014 all Canadian Tire Centre parking lots are cashless. You must pay by pre-purchased pass through Ticketmaster.ca, by debit or credit card at the lot, or through the Indigo Neo app for Slap Shot lots.
Where is accessible parking at Canadian Tire Centre?
Accessible parking is in Lot A at the southeast corner of the arena, near Gate 3. You must present a government-issued hang tag to the attendant and also hold a regular or pre-paid parking pass. Spots are first-come, first-served.
Where do Uber and Lyft drop off at Canadian Tire Centre?
The designated rideshare drop-off and pick-up zone is on Frank Finnigan Way, directly in front of Gate 1. After the game, waiting a few minutes before requesting your ride can help avoid surge pricing.
Is tailgating allowed at Canadian Tire Centre?
No. Tailgating is not permitted in any Canadian Tire Centre parking lot. Fans are encouraged to use the arena’s on-site bars and restaurants, which open two hours before Senators games.
What bus routes go to Canadian Tire Centre?
OC Transpo Routes 401, 402, 403, 404, and 405 serve Canadian Tire Centre for Senators games and major events. Buses begin running about 90 minutes before game time. For smaller events, Route 404 operates.
Is there free parking near Canadian Tire Centre?
No lots on the Canadian Tire Centre property are free. Fans willing to walk about a mile can park at no cost near the Palladium Auto Park complex to the west or at the Costco on Silver Seven Road to the east.
What is the fastest way to exit Canadian Tire Centre parking after a game?
Lot 1 offers the fastest exit with a dedicated ramp directly onto eastbound Highway 417 after Senators games. Fans in Lots 2, 6, and 7 have three dedicated exit lanes onto Cyclone Taylor Boulevard. Using the north loop of the Palladium Drive interchange is typically faster than turning left at Huntmar and Palladium.
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