The Canadian Premier League intends to increase by two groups in 2026.
The league is in discussions with teams in Edmonton, Laval, Que., Kelowna, B.C., Kitchener, Waterloo and Windsor, Ont., Quebec City, Saskatoon and the Toronto space, CPL commissioner Mark Noonan stated Friday in Calgary forward of the league’s championship sport.
“Our goal is to add two new teams for our 2026 season, and we’re in discussions with several potential investor groups and municipalities in this regard,” Noonan stated.
“Our plan is to thoughtfully expand CPL into new markets, so we have the conditions we need to be successful.
“With the progress we’re making with our league, the accelerator of World Cup 2026, I firmly imagine there’s not a greater time to be invested within the CPL particularly, and Canadian soccer typically.”
The CPL currently has teams in eight cities: Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa and Halifax.
Calgary’s Cavalry FC and Hamilton’s Forge FC meet Saturday for the North Star Cup.
A test game between Vancouver FC and Cavalry FC was played in Kelowna on June 16 and drew almost 6,300 fans.
The commissioner said more games will be played in markets where there is interest.
“It’s essential that we do increase on the proper time in the best place,” Noonan said.
An appropriate playing facility, a strong ownership group, a supportive municipality, corporate sponsorship and youth soccer and fan engagement are among the criteria for an expansion team, he added.
“In addition to giving us extra content material, extra video games for distribution, what it does is it will increase the participant pipeline,” the commissioner said.
“When you enhance the participant pipeline, it is identical to gross sales. The extra folks you’ve got in your pipeline, the higher it’ll get should you’re coaching them effectively.”
