Live Nation Canada has announced the expansion of its History music venue brand to Ottawa, marking its first venture outside Toronto. The new venue, History Ottawa, will open in early 2026 in the former Chapters building at the corner of Rideau and George Streets in the ByWard Market.
The two-story venue, developed in collaboration with Canadian rapper Drake and the National Capital Commission (NCC), will have a 2,000-person capacity and aims to strengthen Ottawa’s presence on the live music circuit.
“Ottawa has always had a love affair with live music,” said Live Nation Canada President Erik Hoffman. “This notion that it is some sleepy government city or some town that fun forgot isn’t just annoying to hear, it’s simply untrue.”
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe praised the project as a “game-changer” for downtown Ottawa, predicting it will boost nightlife and local businesses. “I feel like this is really going to springboard the downtown economy,” he said.
Demolition work has already begun, with the venue set to resemble History Toronto, which opened in 2021. The venue will feature general admission space on the main level and seating options above.
Melanie Brulée, executive director of the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition, welcomed the development, stating that Ottawa is “ripe and ready” for a major new music venue. “This is just the next step in Ottawa’s music ecosystem,” she said.
With its prime location and strong backing, History Ottawa is set to become a key player in the city’s entertainment landscape.
