Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa opens, bringing first fully integrated Hard Rock resort to Canada

Ottawa’s entertainment industry reached a new milestone on Thursday as Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa officially opened its doors, introducing Canada’s first fully integrated Hard Rock resort. The new CAD 350 million ($257.8 million) complex on Albion Road in the city’s south end merges a 150-room hotel, a sprawling gaming floor, and a state-of-the-art performance venue under one roof.

The launch follows a nearly decade-long process. In 2017, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation tapped Hard Rock International to take over operations at the long-running Rideau Carleton Raceway. Construction on the expansive new facility began in June 2023, culminating this week with the grand opening.

"Leaving the Toronto market after 23 years in the industry was a leap of faith," Christine Crump, President of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa, told Faces Magazine. "But I wouldn’t change a thing. Ottawa truly feels like home now." Crump, who has overseen the development of seven major gaming projects, called this one her most personal yet, noting the team’s pride in bringing the resort to life.

The resort combines signature Hard Rock branding and local influence throughout its 150,000 square feet of entertainment and gaming space. The casino features 1,500 slot machines, up to 40 live-action table games, and a dedicated high-limit area. Guests can also choose from more than ten restaurants and bars, including the flagship Hard Rock Café and Council Oak Steaks & Seafood.

Anchoring the venue is Hard Rock Live, a flexible concert hall built to accommodate 1,800 seated guests or up to 2,200 standing. It will open this weekend with a slate of Canadian performances, featuring David Foster and Katharine McPhee on Thursday night and Avril Lavigne on Saturday.

Later this year, the venue will host a WBA world title boxing match with champion Sara Bailey, produced in partnership with Tyler Buxton’s United Boxing Promotions. Beyond gaming and live shows, the hotel offers 150 rooms, including 22 suites and 19 accessible units, each designed with touches of music history and contemporary comfort.

The opening of Hard Rock Ottawa comes amid a flurry of hospitality development in the capital, with several new hotels launching or slated to open over the next year, including an AC Hotel by Marriott downtown and new properties at the airport and in the ByWard Market area.

For Hard Rock, the Ottawa project represents a milestone, the brand’s first venture in Canada to combine hotel, casino, and entertainment under one banner. But as Crump noted, the investment is also about building roots in the community. Through the Hard Rock Heals Foundation, the Ottawa property is supporting local initiatives, including upcoming events for Make-A-Wish Canada and its continuing partnership with the Ottawa Charge of the PWHL.