The NHL Heritage Classic hasn't been played since the 2023-24 season when the Calgary Flames played against the Edmonton Oilers. The Heritage Classic will return though next season.
The NHL has discussed potential ideas for where to host the Heritage Classic next season. Recently, Winnipeg has been near the top of the list for cities to host.
If the Ottawa Senators were to play the Winnipeg Jets in Manitoba's capital, it would offer as a chance for two smaller Canadian market teams to play outside. However, an idea involving the Senators in the Heritage Classic has one perfect place to play outdoors against the hated Toronto Maple Leafs.
Heritage Classic at Rogers Centre would be so perfect for Battle of Ontario
In Canada, the Battle of Ontario between the Senators and Maple Leafs is one of the NHL's most intense rivalries. One thing for sure, is the Maple Leafs will forever be the Senators' biggest rival. Last season, the rivalry picked up in the best way possible.
The Senators and Maple Leafs played against each other in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2004. Although the Senators fell in six games in the first round of the 2025 playoffs, going 21 years without the Battle of Ontario in the playoffs was long enough.
With the rivalry back in the playoffs last season, it could be possible more playoff meetings and bigger games can happen down the road led by the team's captains Brady Tkachuk and Auston Matthews.
To make the rivalry grow more with last year's playoffs, an outdoor game at Rogers Centre would offer as the perfect setting for the two teams to play outdoors.
Rogers Centre is home to the MLB's Toronto Blue Jays. In 2025, the Blue Jays have taken over the world in Canada with making the World Series for the first time in 32 years.
Popularity of Rogers Centre is growing with not only the Blue Jays in the 2025 World Series, but a major and beautiful renovation of the stadium.
It's common in Canada for people in the province to root on the only MLB team in Canada. The Blue Jays have gotten support from the Senators on their run to the World Series. Recently, Game 3 of the World Series was shown on the jumbotron at Canadian Tire Centre this past Monday during the intermission of the Senators' game against the Boston Bruins. Now, the discussion to play outdoors in the Heritage Classic would be perfect for the Battle of Ontario to happen at Rogers Centre.
The Senators have played in two outdoor games in the past against two Canadian teams, but not against the Maple Leafs. It's time for the NHL to change that for the 2026 Heritage Classic at Rogers Centre in the Six.