As the capital of Canada, Ottawa is, by its nature, a beautiful area home to another thriving and diverse sports culture for citizens of various ages and backgrounds. Professional sports teams, recreational leagues, and university programs make the city a routable destination for athletic pursuits, with facilities abundant throughout the region. Whether it be the local ice hockey scene, which has only gotten more popular with Ottawa FC making a run in the CPL, recreational leagues, or outdoor sports activities, a sports fan will find plenty to do in this city.
Ice Hockey: The Heartbeat of Ottawa Sports
Ottawa’s sporting heart beats for ice hockey. Hockey is Canada’s national sport, and its popularity here is unshakeable, with the Ottawa Senators being the jewel of the local hockey crown. The Senators are one of the most recent original NHL teams to rejoin the mix in 1992 but carry namesake ties to Ottawa’s old hockey roots dating back to its founding in 1883, with several Stanley Cup victories by 1927. The Senators now play their home games at the Canadian Tire Centre, where thousands gather to cheer on the team, bringing together communities across the city in victory—and defeat.
Ottawa — Hockey lovers indulge on both professional and amateur levels. The Ottawa 67’s, a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) situated at TD Place Arena, started back in 1967. The 67’s are an important step for many kids on their route to the NHL and foster a true community feel. Ottawa leans into its winter culture with youth leagues and local hockey programs pulling families to neighbourhood arenas around the city.
Recreational Ice Hockey and Community Leagues
For Ottawa locals, rec leagues are a vehicle to keep in shape and bond with friends. Ottawa boasts a vibrant recreational hockey scene, from competitive adult leagues to informal pickup games at local outdoor rinks. State-of-the-art outdoor rinks, including the legendary Rideau Canal Skateway, transform into areas where people of all levels play a wonderful winter sport each winter. Youth hockey programs operate regularly in community centres and arenas throughout the city, including at Bell Sensplex, making it easy for a child to pick up on both their skills and love of the sport.
Soccer: A Growing Passion
In Ottawa, ice hockey was the long-time pillar of local sports, but with good growth in recent years, soccer has found its home as well. The CPL’s own professional soccer team in Ottawa, Atlético Ottawa, has been instrumental in pushing the sport into the spotlight. Founded in 2020, Atlético Ottawa is the local Canadian soccer team that plays its home games at TD Place Stadium where fans cheer for their team, fostering an energy and family atmosphere akin to a hockey game (as it’s touted). To this point, Atlético’s ground holds resemblance closer to Howard than Borussia.
Ottawa’s multicultural communities have transferred their love for soccer to the region. Ottawa not only offers many local leagues and clubs but also features the Ottawa Carleton Soccer League (OCSL), one of the largest and most competitive amateur leagues in Ontario. Soccer is one of the most accessible and inclusive sports in the city, with programs for children, recreational leagues, and competitive teams available to people of all ages.
Community Programs and Youth Soccer Initiatives
Local organizations like Ottawa South United Soccer Association and the Ottawa Gloucester Hornets have extensive youth programs, developing talent and fostering relationships among community members. Along with league play, these organizations run camps, tournaments, and other events that provide young soccer players exposure to the competitive game and unite their communities around a common sport. During the summer, Ottawa soccer fields buzz with families and friends attending youth games and supporting local teams.
Canadian Football: The Heritage of Excellence
Ottawa has a long tradition of football, thanks in large part to the history of their Ottawa Rough Riders, who existed from 1876 until they folded in 1996. Ottawa also produced a CFL team back when the league began in 1958, but the franchise was discontinued in 1996. However, the Ottawa Redblacks succeeded in reigniting the passion for football in the city. The Redblacks donned their black, red, and white hues with a never-say-die attitude, creating quite a fanbase—most notably after winning the 2016 Grey Cup.
TD Place Stadium, the home of the Redblacks, bursts with black and red on game days as fans swarm from across Ottawa and beyond. Outside of professional football, the city boasts a strong amateur football community with leagues such as the National Capital Amateur Football Association (NCAFA), which encourages youth to play the sport and continue dreaming about playing in the CFL again one day.
Basketball: Climbing the Ladder
Another sport that has seen a huge rise in activity around Ottawa is basketball. Ottawa is home to its own CEBL franchise, the Ottawa Blackjacks, who entered the league in 2019. It’s been a long time since professional basketball graced the city, but the Blackjacks, who play their home games at TD Place Arena, bring something for basketball fans of all ages.
The development of basketball in the Ottawa area has also been supported by the men’s basketball program at Carleton University. The Carleton Ravens have become one of Canada’s powerhouses in basketball, with multiple national championships to their credit. Each winter, the annual battle between Carleton University and University of Ottawa Gee-Gees—the Capital Hoops Classic—draws thousands of fans and becomes one of the biggest sporting events in the city.
Grassroots and Community: Neighborhood Basketball Leagues
Ottawa has great community leagues and grassroots programs to help develop its youth basketball players. Grassroots organizations such as Ottawa Youth Basketball Academy (OYBA) and the Ottawa Shooting Stars deliver programs that teach kids basic skills, teamwork, and foster a love of the game. In line with the growing popularity of basketball, especially among Ottawa’s youth, local leagues give players a place to hone their talents and work their way up through the ranks.
Baseball: A Summer Staple
Baseball is huge in the summer months with the Ottawa Titans, a Frontier League team that plays at Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton Park. The Titans games offer great promotions, fan events, and a laid-back feel, making them perfect for a summer day out. The Titans have created a buzz around baseball in the city again, as many smaller league teams have come and gone, leaving the city with a new generation of baseball fans.
Other than professional baseball, there is plenty of amateur baseball play happening in Ottawa. The Ottawa Nepean Canadians Baseball Club and the Ottawa South Little League provide youth programs, with both competitive and recreational opportunities available. On summer days, the diamonds across town are packed with players of all ages, a testament to how much love Ottawa has for America’s pastime.
University Sports: Entering the World, Yes and Building Team Inside School
Ottawa is home to two of the most successful collegiate sports programs in Canada. In U Sports, most notably in basketball, football, and soccer, the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees and Carleton University Ravens compete at a high level. Carleton’s men’s basketball team, in particular, is known nationwide for its success, having won many championships. These teams not only have fans but also offer a platform for amateur performers to develop and play their way to higher levels.
University sports games create school pride and community. The classic rivalry between the Gee-Gees and their cross-town/post-secondary rivals, the Ravens, is one of the highlights, with events such as the Panda Game for football and the Capital Hoops Classic for basketball, attracting thousands of people, including students, alumni, and Ottawa residents.
Recreational Sports: Community and Active Living
Outside of professional and collegiate sports, Ottawa also has a tight-knit recreational culture that encourages participation and builds social connections. Ottawa Sport & Social Club (OSSC), one of the city’s largest recreational sports organizations, hosts adult leagues for a diverse range of sports, including volleyball, soccer, softball, and dodgeball. Focusing on socializing and enjoyment, the OSSC helps Ottawa residents stay in shape and make friends through sports.
Special mention goes out to the City of Ottawa for its Girls n’ Women and Sport program, advocating for the inclusion of recreational sports. Programs that explicitly promote female participation provide an important pathway for women and girls to engage in physical activity while developing confidence.
Ottawa: A Natural Playground for Outdoor Sports
With nature surrounding the city and plenty of green spaces, Ottawa is a great place for outdoor sports. Its seemingly endless trails, parks, and waterways offer opportunities for running, cycling through dedicated bike paths, kayaking, and even cross-country skiing. Outdoor lovers flock to the Ottawa River, Rideau Canal, and Gatineau Park in summer and winter alike—both locals and visitors.
The Rideau Canal Skateway is the largest skating rink in the world during winter, attracting thousands of skaters every day. Outdoor rinks, tobogganing hills, and cross-country skiing trails are all easily maintained and accessible, encouraging Ottawa residents to take part in winter sports and enjoy the snowy terrain.
LiveTV: Your Global Gateway to Sports
LiveTV serves as a very useful service for fans who like to sit at home and watch sports. LiveTV provides a live stream of almost every sport imaginable—from hockey to basketball and soccer. Whether you’re following the Ottawa Senators or Atlético Ottawa, LiveTV delivers the Capital City’s wide array of sports directly to your screen. This platform opens up sports culture, allowing fans to watch games and events live, from the comfort of their own homes.
Photo: OLM Staff