Community Information for Panda

As your neighbour, Carleton University recognizes that an event of this size can affect surrounding communities. We are committed to supporting a safe, respectful and responsible Panda Game and keeping community members informed about the measures being taken before, during and after the event.

Carleton is working closely with the City of Ottawa, Ottawa Police Service, Ottawa By-law and Regulatory Services, the University of Ottawa and the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG) to coordinate planning, community engagement, student education and public-safety measures.

Pre-Game Initiatives

Co-ordinated Planning

Carleton participates in an integrated planning and risk-management process with the City of Ottawa, Ottawa Police Service, the University of Ottawa and the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG). This work includes emergency preparedness, community-impact mitigation, student communications, transportation and public-safety planning.

These and other City partners also participate in joint planning exercises and co-ordinated communications to identify potential concerns and support a consistent response throughout the Panda Game weekend.

Community Engagement

Carleton works with community and public-safety partners to engage directly with residents, landlords and tenants in neighbourhoods that may be affected by Panda Game activities and to ensure they have access to timely information and support.

Carleton’s community door-knocking campaign, conducted in partnership with Ottawa Police Service, reaches more than 3,000 homes in the Glebe and Old Ottawa South. The campaign provides residents and tenants with information about game-day planning, community expectations and how to report concerns.

Student Education and Communications

Throughout September, Carleton communicates with students about celebrating safely, following the law and being good neighbours through various channels, including newsletters, digital screens on campus, the Carleton Mobile app and social media. This includes information about responsible behaviour, safer substance use, harm reduction and the potential consequences of unlawful or disruptive activity. The Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) is an important partner in these education and awareness efforts.

Carleton also distributes the Panda Post newsletter to all students before game day, reinforcing key information and expectations.

Key messages shared with students include:

• being good neighbours and minimizing impacts on surrounding communities
• avoiding excessive noise, littering, vandalism and other disruptive behaviour
• understanding that open alcohol, public intoxication and unlawful activity may result in fines, charges or disciplinary action
• making informed decisions about alcohol and other substances
• looking out for friends and seeking help when needed
• understanding that individuals may be held accountable for their actions whether they are attending or hosting a gathering

In addition, Carleton works with community and public-safety partners to provide student education and outreach initiatives, including the Party Safer Fair, naloxone and overdose-awareness training and information about substance use health resources.

Game-Day Initiatives

Public Safety and Enforcement

Carleton has worked closely with the City of Ottawa, Ottawa Police Service (OPS), Ottawa By-law and Regulatory Services, the University of Ottawa and the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG) to support a strong public-safety presence before, during and after the Panda Game. Through this partnership, additional resources have been dedicated to policing, bylaw enforcement and emergency-response services to support the event and surrounding communities.

Ottawa Police Service has advised partners that public safety remains its top priority and that unlawful, dangerous and disruptive behaviour will not be tolerated. Police, bylaw and emergency-service personnel will be present throughout the event and surrounding areas to respond to concerns and help maintain public order.

Venue Policies and Expectations

TD Place has several measures in place to support a safe and respectful environment, including restrictions on bags and re-entry, reduced alcohol service and enforcement of the TD Place Fan Code of Conduct. Intoxication, harmful behaviour and other disruptive conduct will not be tolerated, and alcohol sales may be adjusted or discontinued if safety concerns arise.

Student Support and Health Services

Carleton staff and volunteers from student-focused departments will be present throughout the game to support students and assist with incident response as needed. Carleton’s Student Health and Wellness Services will operate a triage centre at TD Place to provide medical support, address health concerns and, where possible, reduce pressure on emergency services and area hospitals. This service includes a safe discharge plan and additional support for students who require follow-up care.

Post-Game Initiatives

Community Monitoring and Response

Carleton is part of a multi-disciplinary operations and communications team that continues to monitor and support responses to incidents in the community after the game has concluded. This team includes the City of Ottawa, Ottawa Police Service, Ottawa By-law and Regulatory Services, the University of Ottawa and other key partners.

The Panda Game event fund contributes significant funding to support a strong Ottawa Police Service and Ottawa By-law and Regulatory Services presence throughout the weekend. This investment helps ensure the resources are in place to respond to concerns, support neighbourhoods affected by the event and maintain public order.

Residents who wish to report bylaw concerns are encouraged to contact 3-1-1. In the event of an immediate threat to a person’s safety or property, community members should call 9-1-1.

Alternative Student Programming

To help reduce impacts on surrounding neighbourhoods, particularly in the Sandy Hill area, Carleton and the University of Ottawa will continue their joint effort to host a supervised Post-Panda event on the University of Ottawa campus from 7 to 11 p.m. Carleton is providing staff and volunteer support and sharing the cost of the event, which will feature music and offer students a structured environment to celebrate the game while helping reduce the likelihood of unsanctioned gatherings in surrounding residential neighbourhoods

Community Cleanup

Carleton’s Student Experience Office will organize a Post-Panda Cleanup in the Glebe and Old Ottawa South on the day following the game. This community-engaged initiative connects student volunteers with local organizations while encouraging reflection on the impact large events can have on surrounding neighbourhoods.

Continuous Improvement

Carleton has committed to conducting an internal post-event debrief to identify areas for improvement and enhance service delivery for future events. These findings will be shared as part of a broader post-game review conducted in collaboration with the City of Ottawa, OSEG, Ottawa Police Service and the University of Ottawa to ensure a comprehensive assessment of the event and its impact on the community.

Staying Connected

Carleton will continue to monitor and respond to questions received through panda@carleton.ca  before, during and after the game to ensure community members are acknowledged and informed.

We are excited to celebrate this longstanding tradition and the positive sense of school spirit and community it creates for students, alumni and football fans across Ottawa. We remain committed to working closely with our community partners, supporting a safe and respectful Panda Game and being a good neighbour throughout the weekend.

Thank you to our students, residents, community partners and first responders for helping make Panda 2026 a safe and successful event. We appreciate the continued support and co-operation of residents and community partners as we work together to minimize community impacts and celebrate this tradition responsibly.

Community members with questions or concerns can contact panda@carleton.ca. Members of the media should direct inquiries to media@carleton.ca.

Video from Ottawa Public Health