Sports in Ottawa (misc. articles/news)

[rocketphish]

Ottawa Black Bears leaving the Canadian Tire Centre, ticket holders told
Professional lacrosse team has been based in Ottawa since 2024

Nathan Fung · CBC News
Posted: Jun 23, 2026 6:37 PM EDT | Last Updated: 9 minutes ago

Ottawa's professional lacrosse team will no longer be playing at the Canadian Tire Centre, fans have been told.

Ticket holders received a message informing them that the Ottawa Black Bears will not play at the CTC in Kanata for the 2026-27 season.

People who had made payment for the next season will receive an automatic refund within 10 business days, the message said, referring further inquiries to the National Lacrosse League (NLL).

The message did not say where the team will play next.

CBC reached out to the Ottawa Black Bears and the NLL for comment. An email sent to the address listed on the team's Facebook page bounced back, saying the Black Bears will not be returning to CTC for the 2026-27 season.

The Black Bears is a partnership between the NLL, owners GF Sports and Entertainment and the Ottawa Senators. It was formerly known as the New York Riptide, and moved to Ottawa in 2024.

At the time, Erik Baker, who's part of the ownership team, said they chose Ottawa for many reasons, one of them being the strength of the Senators Sports & Entertainment brand.

Back in 2003, Ottawa's previous NLL team, the Ottawa Rebel, was sold to Edmonton after two seasons.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ot...ire-centre-ticket-holders-told-9.7246460

[J.OT13]

That's weird. For one, Sens are part owner, but also, this doesn't say anything about the team leaving Ottawa.

I wonder if the Sens are trying to make space for the PWHL, though if a dozen or so arenas can handle NHL and NBA, NHL/PWHL/NLL shouldn't be that hard.

[rocketphish]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

That's weird. For one, Sens are part owner,

Maybe not?


League wants to keep Ottawa Black Bears lacrosse team in Ottawa-Gatineau
NLL implies there has been an ownership change

CBC News
Posted: Jun 25, 2026 8:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 25 minutes ago

The National Lacrosse League (NLL) says it intends to keep the Ottawa Black Bears in "the Ottawa-Gatineau region" after ticket holders were told it won't return to the Canadian Tire Centre for a third season.

The NLL's two-line Wednesday evening statement implied the team has undergone an ownership change.

"The National Lacrosse League is aware that following its termination of GF Lacrosse LLC's ownership of the Ottawa Black Bears, the Club informed select ticket holders that 'the Black Bears will no longer be playing at Canadian Tire Centre,'" it said.

"The NLL's intention is to keep the franchise in the Ottawa-Gatineau region and continue to grow the Black Bears' loyal and passionate fan base."

<more>

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-black-bears-future-lacrosse-league-nll-9.7248348

[MountainView]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

Maybe not?

The Ottawa Black Bears is a National Lacrosse League franchise playing its home games at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario. The Canadian Tire Centre is owned and operated by Capital Sports Properties Inc., who has been engaged to sell Ottawa Black Bears tickets and packages as well as market the Ottawa Black Bears on behalf of GF Lacrosse, LLC, the Ottawa Black Bears owner

Source

[rocketphish]

Originally Posted by MountainView

The Ottawa Black Bears is a National Lacrosse League franchise playing its home games at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario. The Canadian Tire Centre is owned and operated by Capital Sports Properties Inc., who has been engaged to sell Ottawa Black Bears tickets and packages as well as market the Ottawa Black Bears on behalf of GF Lacrosse, LLC, the Ottawa Black Bears owner

Source

The Black Bears website clearly hasn't been updated yet to reflect their new reality.

[MountainView]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

The Black Bears website clearly hasn't been updated yet to reflect their new reality.

Correct, but the Sens were never part owner. I may have replied to the wrong comment. Apologies.

[rocketphish]

Originally Posted by MountainView

Correct, but the Sens were never part owner. I may have replied to the wrong comment. Apologies.

No worries! I agree with you, based on what I read in the CBC article.

[J.OT13]

Glad they want to keep the team in Ottawa. Good opportunity for OSEG to sweep in and offer a good deal to play at the Civic Centre and later the new arena. Trade PWHL for NLL.

Alternatively, it would be great to get a second tenant at Slush Puppie, and Gatineau's first "major league" team.