Ottawa’s $419M Lansdowne 2.0 plan faces scrutiny as critics warn a Redblacks shutdown before 2032 could drain millions in projected revenue.
City’s Major Revamp Faces a Financial Wildcard
Ottawa’s latest bid to redevelop Lansdowne Park could face major financial strain if the Ottawa Redblacks ever fold before 2032. City councillors are weighing whether to approve an updated partnership that would extend the city’s deal with the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG) until 2075 — but the sports group is only obligated to keep operating its CFL and OHL teams for another seven years.
The $419-million redevelopment, known as Lansdowne 2.0, depends heavily on revenue tied to the Redblacks, including team profits, stadium rent, and ticket surcharges.
Critics Question the Stability of Ottawa’s Teams
Some city councillors say the city is taking an unnecessary gamble. Gloucester-Southgate Coun. Jessica Bradley pointed to Ottawa’s rocky football history — from the Rough Riders in the 1990s to the Renegades in the early 2000s.
“I don’t think it’s outside the realm of possibility that the Redblacks could cease to operate after 2032,” Bradley warned. “The public is outlaying a lot of money. At bare minimum, OSEG should commit to keeping the teams here for the lifetime of the partnership.”
If the Redblacks folded, millions of dollars in projected revenue could vanish, leaving taxpayers to shoulder a greater share of debt repayment.
City’s Financial Stakes Are High
The Lansdowne 2.0 plan carries $331 million in debt financing, with the city expecting $118 million in partnership profits over 50 years to help offset that cost. Retail income makes up the largest share of the city’s expected returns, but the Redblacks are forecast to be the second-largest contributor.
Meanwhile, the Ottawa 67’s are projected to operate at a loss, meaning football is essential to keeping the plan financially viable. Most of the anticipated stadium rent and ticket surcharge revenue would not materialize until after 2032 — the same year the Redblacks’ commitment could end.
OSEG Says Teams Aren’t Going Anywhere
OSEG CEO Mark Goudie said he is “very confident” the Redblacks and the 67’s will stay in Ottawa “for generations.”
“If the 67’s continue in existence, which they’ve been since 1967, and if the Redblacks are still playing in the CFL, they will play here until the end of the partnership,” Goudie said.
OSEG spokesperson Janice Barresi added that both teams are contractually required to play at TD Place “as long as those franchises continue to operate,” calling it “highly improbable” that they would fold.
Still, the current agreement only ensures the franchises’ operation through 2032, creating uncertainty for the city’s long-term financial outlook.
Calls for Stronger Guarantees
Capital Ward Coun. Shawn Menard said verbal assurances aren’t enough. He wants OSEG’s long-term commitment written directly into the agreement.
“If they’re committed to receiving taxpayer funding, then they should be committed to keeping those teams in Ottawa for the long term,” Menard said. “It needs to be in the deal.”
Without that clause, he warned, OSEG could potentially exit sports operations while maintaining profitable retail holdings under the partnership.
Supporters Say Plan Builds Long-Term Success
Not all councillors share those concerns. Riverside South–Findlay Creek Coun. Steve Desroches said Lansdowne 2.0 is designed for more than football, with new facilities that will host soccer matches, concerts, and community events.
“We’re building it for soccer. We’re building it for concerts,” Desroches said. “They need stability. If we don’t have the right conditions, there’s more risk we lose our teams.”
Desroches argued that the redevelopment itself creates the “conditions for success” that could help sustain Ottawa’s professional sports presence for decades.
What Comes Next
City council is expected to vote on the Lansdowne 2.0 agreement in November 2025. The outcome could decide not only the future of Ottawa’s central entertainment district, but also the long-term survival of professional football in the capital.
