PWHL Charge agree to stay in Ottawa, set to play next season in Senators’ home arena

The Ottawa Charge will stay in Ottawa after reaching an agreement to play their next season games in the NHL Ottawa Senators’ home arena, Associated Press reported Tuesday, citing two people with knowledge of the talks. The arrangement keeps the PWHL team based in its current market rather than relocating, a key storyline for a league that has worked to stabilize venues as it grows.

The report frames the outcome as a culmination of discussions between PWHL and Senators officials that began gaining momentum earlier this spring. In March, PWHL and Senators leadership indicated the sides were having productive talks about an arena deal, and the new agreement now appears to lock in the next season’s playing location.

For Ottawa, the move is significant because the team’s venue affects everything from day-to-day operations to the fan experience. Using an NHL facility can also support consistency for media coverage and game-day production, both of which matter to a league building its brand and long-term footprint. For the PWHL, aligning with an established NHL organization’s infrastructure can help reduce uncertainty around site logistics as the schedule and travel footprint expand.

While details such as the exact arena name, the full term of the agreement, and financial terms were not included in the initial reporting, the central point is that the Charge will remain in Ottawa and will do so by playing in the Senators’ home setting. That matters in a league where venue decisions can influence attendance patterns, broadcast arrangements, and the ease with which supporters can plan attendance.

The PWHL’s approach to venue agreements has been watched closely since the league began play, partly because women’s professional hockey has historically faced a higher level of disruption in site planning compared to established men’s leagues. An NHL arena relationship can also raise the stakes for the Charge’s next season in practical ways, including how the team is presented and how consistently it can build a home routine.

It is also worth noting that the report describes the decision as based on knowledge of the discussions and says the deal is reached, not merely being explored. Still, until the league and team publish their own confirmation with full operational specifics, questions may remain about the schedule framework and any conditions attached to the arrangement.

Going forward, fans will be looking for a formal announcement from the PWHL and the Charge spelling out the arena details and confirming how home games will be structured for the coming season. That includes whether the relationship will be for only the next season or if there is a longer runway, and how quickly the team can translate the venue stability into sustained support at the gate.