TD Place Stadium - Ottawa Redblacks
Updated: 2 days ago
Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86
TD Place Stadium 1015 Bank St Ottawa, ON K1S 3W7 Canada
Year Opened: 1908 Capacity: 24,000
The Rough Ride
Football in Ottawa has definitely been a roller coaster. The Ottawa Rough Riders were one of the cornerstone franchises in the Canadian Football League. They took the field from 1876 to 1996 and collected nine Grey Cup Championships along the way. Their folding was a shock to the system, literally putting the CFL in an imbalance. The void was temporarily filled by the Ottawa Renegades, who played 4 generally poor seasons from 2002 to 2008 before folding.
A large part of the failure of football in Ottawa was the physical failing of what was once known as Frank Clair Stadium. Located on the grounds of Lansdowne Park, the stadium opened all the way back in 1908 and is one of the most unique in the world. In 2007, the entire south grandstand was condemned. The stadium was named after the longtime coach of the Rough Riders who led the team through the glory years, from 1956 to 1969. The rebuilding of the south stand was the spark for the revitalization of football in Ottawa.
The new Ottawa Redblacks took the field at the renamed TD Place Stadium in 2014. Embracing the bilingual nature of the city like never before, the Redblacks (or Rouge et Noir) enjoyed success not seen in the capital since the seventies, culminating in the 2016 Grey Cup.
TD Place Stadium is once again in the spotlight as the north stand and TD Place Arena will be demolished and replaced with a new, separate arena and north side grandstand as part of the Lansdowne 2.0 plan.
Food & Beverage 5
The concession experience at TD Place Stadium is among the elite in the CFL. All of the expected stadium staples are available, including hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn, candy and poutine. What takes the concessions to the next level is the focus on local favourites. Gabriel Pizza has a strong presence at TD Place Stadium. Other local favourites include Lois & Frima’s Ice Cream and Maverick’s Donut Company. Some specialty items found at TD Place Stadium that should warrant consideration include the Sledgehammer Meatball Sub and the Pierogi Timber Pile Poutine.
There are several alcoholic options available. The beer selection is decent, including Stella Artois, Mill Street Organic, Mill Street Orange, and Goose Island IPA. The Firth’s Tavern stand offers a full bar selection. The soft drink of choice at TD Place Stadium is Pepsi products.
Atmosphere 4
TD Place Stadium is one of the most unique in the world. It is located at Lansdowne Park, which has served as the exhibition grounds in Ottawa for over a century. It is embedded in the Glebe neighbourhood, which has a personality of its own. The main entry to TD Place Stadium is from the west, where a number of condominium buildings stand on Bank Street.
The stadium consists of two separate grandstands on the north and south side of the east-west oriented field. The north grandstand is the older of the two and doubles as TD Place Arena, longtime home of the Ottawa 67’s and former home of the Ottawa Senators. The arena is under the seating of the north grandstands, and the field can be seen from the south concourse of the arena.
Entry from the west brings fans to the hopefully temporary banner displays for the ten Grey Cup Championships won in Ottawa (1925, 26, 40, 51, 60, 68, 69, 73, 76 and 2016) and members of the Ottawa Wall of Honour (Ron Stewart, Russ Jackson, Whit Tucker, Bruno Bitowski, Jim Coode, Moe Racine, Bobby Simpson, Gerry Organ, Tony Golab, Tony Gabriel, Kaye Vaughan, Ken Lehmann, Soupy Campbell, Dave Thelen, Gene Gaines, Greg Marshall and Henry Burris).
The south stand is the newer of the two and is a split level grandstand. A bronze statue of coach Frank Clair stands at the southwest corner opposite the northwest corner stage. The west endzone has the log cabin social area/club with rail stands above it. At the time of writing, during the 2026 season, construction of the new arena beyond the east endzone was visible. The video board is located on the west side, shading more to the north rather than south. It can be a bit difficult to see from the northeast.
The game-day production at a Redblacks game is one of the best in the CFL. The team leans into the lumberjack and Buffalo plaid motif. At field level, in the southeast corner, a huge log sits ready for the Redblacks touchdown celebration, which involves a chainsaw and cutting a wooden “cookie” from the log and parading it around. The team's mascot, Big Joe, interacts with fans around the stadium and takes part in the pregame festivities. The Redblacks Dancers and Cheer Team meld aspects of both college cheerleaders and professional team dancers and perform during breaks and take up residence on the sidelines.
One of the most unique aspects of Ottawa Redblacks culture has been muted the last few years due to poor performance on the field and lower attendance. As of this writing, the club was still in search of their first win of the season, setting a futility record in the process. At one time, the in-stadium rivalry between fans on the north side and fans on the south side was paramount. Both sides would chant at each other and taunt each other. All on-field promotions were notched up by choosing competitors from opposing sides to face off against each other. It seemed the only part that north and south siders would agree upon was their support of the Redblacks.
Neighbourhood 5
TD Place Stadium is located on the grounds of Lansdowne Park in The Glebe neighbourhood in Ottawa. The Glebe is a unique neighbourhood that is south of Parliament, which would typically be viewed as Downtown Ottawa. There are a few spots for pre- or post-game food and drink. Some options include Craft Beer Market, Joey Lansdowne, Med Supper Club, and Irene’s Pub.
There are quite a few other sports options in Ottawa. TD Place Stadium is also the home of Atletico Ottawa and the annual Panda Game between uOttawa and Carleton. TD Place Arena is directly under the north grandstand and is the home of the Ottawa 67’s and Ottawa BlackJacks, as well as other uOttawa and Carleton rivalry games. Kanata is the home of the Ottawa Senators and Ottawa Charge. The campuses of uOttawa and Carleton are not too far from The Glebe. The Gee-Gees host a number of athletic teams, including football, hockey, and basketball. The Ravens also host football and hockey and are well-known for their massively successful basketball team.
Ottawa is one of the top tourist destinations and the capital of Canada. There are a ton of other tourist options for fans. Just some of the options include Parliament of Canada, the Royal Canadian Mint, the Canadian War Museum, the Supreme Court of Canada, the Rideau Canal and ByWard Market.
There are a ton of options for fans who wish to stay in Ottawa. Heading north towards Parliament is the best option, where the Best Western, Hilton, and Hampton Inn are all reliable options. For fans who consider the hotel an integral part of the journey, staying at the iconic Fairmont Château Laurier may be of interest.
Fans 3
The Ottawa Redblacks have fallen on hard times on the field and have suffered at the gates as a result. At the time of writing, the RedBlacks averaged over 14,00 fans per game. The previous season, 2025, the RedBlacks averaged over 18,000 per game, ranking them 8th in the 9 team CFL. RedBlack fans in attendance are hardy, and it was definitely louder than expected at the game that was reviewed. Hopefully the club can turn things around on the field and can reignite the fans and the north-south rivalry.
Access 3
TD Place Stadium is located on the grounds of Lansdowne Park in the Glebe neighbourhood of Ottawa. It is found on the east side of Bank Street and Exhibition Way, just north of the Rideau Canal. Lansdowne Park is less than 1.5 km south of Trans-Canada Highway 417. However, traffic in Ottawa is quite significant, so getting to the stadium can be an issue.
Parking at Lansdowne Park is extremely limited, and on-site parking is not sold for RedBlacks games. Also, parking in The Glebe is also very limited and street parking is strictly enforced. The best plan to get to TD Place Stadium is to take public transit or the shuttle. Ottawa has got transportation down to a science for CFL games. There are bus stops on Bank Street, and a RedBlacks ticket equals a free ride before and after. Shuttle buses travel between Lansdowne and a couple of spots where parking is available, Carleton University and Canada Post. Fans should consult the Ottawa Redblacks website and OC Transpo website for maps and schedules.
Lansdowne Park and TD Place Stadium are active construction zones as of this writing, so getting around is a bit of a challenge. There was no 360 degree path at the game that was reviewed. Washrooms have always been a bit of an issue at TD Place Stadium, with several portable washrooms around the stadium, something that will most likely be addressed with the replacement of the north stand.
Stadium Journey understands that security protocols are constantly changing for major sporting events. Before heading to TD Place Stadium, Stadium Journey highly recommends consulting the TD Place and Ottawa Redblacks websites for the most up-to-date security information, including prohibited items and bag policy.
Return on Investment 4
Tickets for the Ottawa Redblacks start at $25. Tickets in the middle, upper side of the grandstand are expensive at $75 to $100 and go up to around $140. Getting into the stadium offers the opportunity to take part in happy hour, with reduced price beer options. Concession options are priced as one would expect. The experience at a Redblacks game is a solid one, and fans will definitely enjoy the full atmosphere.
Extras 3
An extra mark for Lansdowne 2.0 and the investment in new facilities for the Redblacks and replacement of the north stand.
An extra mark for Lansdowne Park, an historic part of Ottawa.
An extra mark for Ottawa as the capital of Canada and one of the top tourist destinations in the country.
Final Thoughts
Although the Ottawa Redblacks have had some issues on the field, taking in a game is a great option for part of an Ottawa vacation. The rebuilding of the north stand will cause some growing pains in the short term, but the long term investment in Ottawa football is a great sign for CFL fans everywhere.
