By: Tyler Rabb
10. Free #TELUS Wi-Fi
What’s better than being live at the game? Bragging about it on social media, obviously. Thanks TELUS!
9. Premium Seating
Otto’s Club premium experience gives you exclusive access to multiple bars, lounge areas, and high top seating with superb sightlines so you never miss a play. Indulge in the flavourful, full-service food and beverages provided by Levy Restaurants, they’ve created an exciting new menu for the 2015 season.
You’ll also enjoy private club level bathrooms and a temperature-controlled environment to enhance your game day experience. Close to the action with all the comforts of home.
8. Getting Here
Whether you’re busing, biking, or maybe even canoeing down the Rideau Canal, getting to TD Place is half the fun and won’t cost you much either.
Your pre-purchased game tickets get you free service on all OC Transpo routes, starting three hours before the game and lasting three hours after the final whistle.
And other than REDBLACKS home games, TD Place offers plenty of parking and most local businesses validate.
7. Lansdowne is Live!
The urban oasis that is Lansdowne has officially been re-invented. With only a few residential buildings still under construction, this modern marketplace is a must visit in 2015.
Lansdowne features many fashionable dining options such as LOCAL Public Eatery, JOEY Lansdowne, Jack Astor’s, and Milestones. Worth the wait, Craft Beer Market will also open this fall, stocking over 100 craft brews and boasting that it’s “Where everything’s on tap“.
Make sure to check out the Lansdowne Live website, and stay up-to-date on all the exciting events happening at and around TD Place.
6. The Merch
All your favourite TD Place teams’ (67’s, REDBLACKS, Fury FC) gear can be found here on game day. Concession stands throughout the stadium and arena concourses feature all the swag that you’ve been searching for.
At every REDBLACKS home game they offer their Item of the Game at a discounted rate. Their first was an official CFL football.
TD Place is also the home of the Team Shop. When the teams’ are away or there’s no game that day, you can still pick up your favourite merch at their fully-stocked store just inside Gate 2. Pick your favourite player and personalize your jersey right there.
5. Live Music
Live music and live sports go hand in hand. Before, during, or after every game at TD Place you can get your groove on.
Local bands like The Lionyls, The Red Rails, and The Zolas are just a few of the acts amplifying the energy at TD Place.
Look out for some big concerts hitting TD Place in the near future. AC/DC will be rocking the stadium on Septemer 3, and Alabama Shakes invades the arena on September 24.
To stay up-to-date on all live music events follow TD Place on Twitter.
4. Pre-Game Festivities
Every game at TD Place is started with one heck of party!
On a REDBLACKS game day, there’s always an epic tailgater that brings #RNation together. Ticket holders are invited into the Budweiser King Club, beside the west end zone, where they can enjoy live live music, delicious BBQ, and even some bevvies.
Traveling with the tykes, inflatable activity centres and face painting fill the Kids Zone located in the Event Square beside the Aberdeen Pavilion.
Prior to kick-off at a Fury match or puck drop at the 67’s game, fans can expect the same exciting experience. Pre-game festivities are always a part of the action at TD Place.
3. The Food
The buildings at TD Place weren’t the only thing to undergo a complete overhaul. With no disrespect to the past provider, Levy’s Restaurants is a whole ‘nother level of stadium/arena food. They serve up deliciously-different, quality eats at some of the most attended sports facilties in North America.
For the REDBLACKS 2015 season, they’ll be offering a different feature menu item at every home game. Lead cook Victor Wilkenfeld created the Pig Skin Burger (pictured above), which will be unveiled when the REDBLACKS take on the Calgary Stampeders on Friday, July 23. It’s starts with 24-hour house-smoked pork belly, gets topped with fried pork grinds and pickled red onions, then smothered in smoked bacon aioli. Mmmmm. Bacon.
Look out for the REDBLACK & Blue and the Bacon Me Crazy burgers coming to BBQ near you, but only if you’re at TD Place on a game day.
2. Top Flight Teams
From the field, to the rink, to the pitch, TD Place is home to three of Ottawa’s hottest sports teams; the Ottawa 67’s (CHL), the Ottawa Fury FC (NASL), and the Ottawa REDBLACKS (CFL).
The REDBLACKS and Fury FC are in the midst of their sophomore seasons, both offer an exciting sports experience at the amazing, open-air stadium at TD Place.
In early fall, the 67’s will open their 2015/16 OHL season, the team will be looking to continue their success from their first year back at the arena at TD Place.
1. The Atmosphere
It’s hard to describe. It’s the combination of everything on this list multiplied by the energy amassed by the assembly.
You can feel the unbridled excitement of everyone in attendance. It’s loud …very loud. A massive tribal experience where everybody is feeling it and bringing it. You get carried away by it. The rush, the nerves. It’s addictive.
A feeling you can’t experience anywhere else in Ottawa/Gatineau. Game day at TD Place.
