Canadian Domestic Football Set for a Landmark Year as the World Descends on the North

Just over ten years ago, professional football in Canada was virtually non-existent. The Canadian Soccer League was the only noteworthy league, but since being desanctioned by Canada Soccer in 2013, it has struggled to maintain viewership or recognition.

Fast forward to 2026, and Canada boasts two robust national teams, fully professional men’s and women’s leagues, and a rapidly expanding semi-professional league. Collectively, more than 100 teams are competing across the nation, a feat that seemed far-fetched not too long ago.

With Canada preparing to co-host the FIFA World Cup, the opportunity for the domestic game to ascend to new heights and gain international attention is at hand. So, what do the current leagues look like, and who are the key players involved? Let’s delve into the Canadian football landscape as the season approaches.

Canadian Premier League: A Year of Excitement

As it enters its eighth season, the Canadian Premier League has filled a significant gap in the country’s sporting landscape. Since its inception in 2019, the CPL has seen numerous players advance to larger leagues, including MLS and European clubs.

The league commenced with seven teams stationed in Victoria, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Hamilton, and Halifax. It has since expanded to eight teams, albeit with some challenges along the way. Atletico Ottawa, the reigning champions, joined the league during the second season, which was played in Charlottetown due to pandemic restrictions.

In 2021, FC Edmonton ceased operations, followed by Valour’s exit late last year. While the loss of clubs is unfortunate, it’s not uncommon in professional sports, especially in emerging leagues.

On a positive note, new clubs have joined the league. Vancouver FC debuted in 2022, and although they finished bottom of the league, they achieved a notable milestone by reaching the finals of the Canadian Championship, where they faced off against MLS’s Vancouver Whitecaps.

The latest addition is FC Supra du Quebec, announced in September. This has been a long-awaited development for the league, which sought a Quebec-based team. Inspired by the original Canadian Soccer League’s Montreal Supra, they’re committed to assembling a team primarily comprising players born in Quebec or those who have significant ties to the province, similar to Athletic Bilbao’s approach.

Four different teams have claimed the North Star Cup, awarded to play-off champions, with Forge FC being the most successful, lifting the trophy four times and finishing as regular-season champions on three occasions. Last season marked the first time they did not reach the final, but they remain strong contenders for 2026.

Cavalry FC, based in Calgary, has also been a consistent presence in the play-off scene, competing in the last three finals and securing two regular-season titles. They boast five former players who have represented Canada’s national team, more than any other club.

PACIFIC FC, which made history as the first team aside from Forge to win the play-off title in 2021, experienced difficulties last season and failed to qualify for the play-offs for the first time since the league’s inception; they are eager to rebound this year.

Atletico Ottawa, the inaugural expansion team, clinched their first title in 2025 with a record-breaking season in terms of goals scored—54 and losing just twice. Their victory was capped by a memorable performance from David Rodriguez, who scored a stunning bicycle kick in snowy conditions against Cavalry.

Inter Toronto, formerly known as York 9 and York United, has made the play-offs twice but has yet to reach the final. They are the only founding team yet to do so. However, with ambitious new signings in the off-season, they aim to change their fortunes this year.

Lastly, HFX Wanderers are seeking their inaugural trophy. They reached the final in 2020 but lost to Forge. After making the playoffs in two of the last three years, they have yet to progress past the first round. Under the guidance of former Whitecaps’ manager Vanni Sartini, expectations are high in the east as they pursue their first title.

The current CPL format sees each of the eight teams play against one another four times, twice at home and twice away. Following 28 rounds, the top four teams will enter the play-offs, culminating in a two-legged semi-final and a final hosted by the higher-ranked team.

This season promises to be particularly exciting, with notable rule changes under consideration. Arsene Wenger’s ‘daylight’ offside rule will be trialled, and the league will implement a Football Video Support system, allowing coaches to challenge decisions in four specific areas—goal-scoring plays, penalties, red cards, and cases of mistaken identity.

The league’s opening day for 2026 is set for Saturday, with Forge facing Atletico Ottawa in a matchup of last year’s champions. Vancouver FC will take on the Wanderers later that same day, while the following Sunday sees Pacific host Cavalry in the week’s final fixture.

Northern Super League: The Rise of Women’s Football

After a thrilling inaugural year, the Northern Super League—the women’s professional league in Canada—returns for a second season, poised for significant growth.

Among the leading footballing nations, Canada was one of the last to establish a fully professional women’s league. The initiative was spearheaded by former national team star Diana Matheson, who collaborated with ex-teammates and stakeholders to launch the NSL.

Launched in 2022, last year marked the league’s first season, seeing six teams compete in a 25-game regular season followed by play-offs. Vancouver Rise triumphed over AFC Toronto in the final held at BMO Field, despite Toronto having won the regular season by a notable 12-point margin.

Other play-off participants in 2025 included Ottawa Rapid, who finished second on head-to-head against Vancouver, and Montreal Roses in fourth place. These three clubs were in contention for positioning during a tense final few weeks of the competitive inaugural season.

The league also includes Calgary Wild and Halifax Tides. While the top teams had a clear advantage over the bottom two, Calgary showcased resilience, finishing just seven points shy of Montreal and positioning themselves as contenders for 2026.

The Tides faced challenges in their debut season, securing just three wins. Under the management of former men’s national team coach Stephen Hart, they are looking to improve their fortunes in the upcoming year.

A highlight for the NSL is the emergence of several players who have made their senior national team debuts, including Emma Regan, Holly Ward, Kaylee Hunter, and DB Pridham. This bodes well for the future, indicating a thriving pathway for talent development.

The 2026 season will follow last year’s structure, with the six clubs facing each other five times. From there, the top four teams will advance to the play-offs, featuring a two-legged semi-final and a single-match final. While there isn’t a cup competition yet, one is anticipated to emerge soon.

The season kicks off on April 24, with Vancouver Rise hosting AFC Toronto in a rematch of last year’s final. Halifax will then take on Ottawa at home, rounding out the opening round with Calgary facing Montreal.

PSL Canada: Expanding Semi-Professional Football

In addition to the professional leagues, Canada also features semi-professional competitions. The Premier Soccer Leagues Canada, formerly known as League1 Canada, includes men’s and women’s football across six provinces, with plans for further expansion.

Ontario and Quebec have been operating their leagues for over a decade, but significant growth has occurred in the past five years. British Columbia joined in 2022, followed by Alberta’s official launch in 2024 after a successful exhibition in 2023.

This year sees even more expansion, as Saskatchewan and Manitoba combine to form the Prairies Premier League, with seven teams making their debut in this new division across both men’s and women’s leagues.

Each province has a variable number of teams, ranging from six to twelve. Meanwhile, Ontario and Quebec feature three tiers within their league structures, with both employing a promotion and relegation system—a rarity in North American sports.

While the number of matches differs across leagues and provinces, most teams play their opponents both home and away. The trend towards play-offs has diminished in recent years, a change from earlier league practices.

On the men’s side, the provincial champions from BC, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec qualify for the Canadian Championship. Despite their semi-professional status, these teams have proven challenging for professional sides. For instance, TSS Rovers from BC stunned Valour during the 2023 tournament, and Quebec’s CS Saint-Laurent eliminated HFX Wanderers in an away match.

In the women’s leagues, the provincial champions from BC, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec—excluding Saskatchewan and Manitoba for the moment—compete in an Inter-Provincial Championship each August. The host province alternates annually, with Ontario’s Simcoe County Rovers clinching victory against Quebec’s CS Mont-Royal Outremont in last year’s final. If a national cup competition for women emerges, teams from the PSLs are likely to participate.

The first domestic matches of the year will take place in the BC Premier League, with Burnaby FC facing TSS Rovers on Thursday. Quebec’s top division will commence next weekend, followed by Ontario’s league the week after. Alberta and the Prairies will kick off their season in May.