03-07-2025
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa officially opens today. Here's what you need to know
The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa sign. The new Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa on Albion Road opens to the public on Thursday. (Shaun Vardon/CTV News Ottawa)
The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa officially opens to the public this afternoon, featuring a 150-room hotel, a performance venue and gaming space.
The new facility on Albion Road in Ottawa's south end is Hard Rock's first 'fully integrated resort' in Canada with a hotel and gaming facility all in one place.
In 2017, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation selected Hard Rock International to become the operator of the casino at Rideau Carleton Raceway. In June 2023, construction began on the new $350 million new hotel, casino and performance venue.
The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa will feature a 150-room hotel, with 22 luxury suites. The more than 150,000 sq. ft. of entertaining and gaming space includes the Hard Rock Live performance venue with the capacity for up to 2,200 people, 1,500 slot machines, up to 40 gaming tables, and a high-limit gaming area.
There will be 10 restaurants and bars at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa, including the iconic Hard Rock Café.
The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa will officially open at 1 p.m.
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa
The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa sign. (Shaun Vardon/CTV News Ottawa)
There will also performances by three major Canadian artists to kick off the opening week.
David Foster and Katharine McPhee will perform at the Hard Rock Live performance venue tonight, and Napanee's Avril Lavigne will perform on Saturday.
The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa is one of several hotels opening in Ottawa over the next year.
The new AC Hotel by Marriott Ottawa Downtown opened on April 24, with 159 rooms, a pool, sauna, gym and meeting rooms. The Moxy Ottawa downtown is opening early in 2026, and a new hotel is scheduled to open at the Ottawa International Airport in late 2025 or early 2026.
Here's what you need to know about the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa
Opening date: July 3 at 1 p.m.
700 employees
The Hard Rock Hotel will have 150 rooms, including 22 suites
Expanded Hard Rock Casino with 1,500 slot machines, 40 live-action table games, high-limit gaming.
Hard Rock Live – an 1,800-seat theatre with standing room for 2,200 guests
More than 10 restaurants, bars and lounges, including the Hard Rock Café and Council Oak Steakhouse
The Hard Rock shop