Northern Super League Kicks Off Inaugural Season with Coast-to-Coast Coverage

A Historic First Kick

Get ready, Canada! The Northern Super League (NSL), the nation's first professional women's soccer league, is set to launch its inaugural season with a bang. All 75 regular-season matches will be broadcast across CBC, Radio-Canada, TSN, and RDS, ensuring fans from coast to coast can witness history in the making.

The action begins on April 16th at BC Place Stadium, where Vancouver Rise FC will host Calgary Wild FC in the league's very first match. This historic game will be available to stream for free on CBC Gem.

Star Power Ignites the Pitch

The NSL boasts a roster of incredible talent, including Canadian national team stars Quinn, Desiree Scott, Emma Regan, and Erin McLeod. The league has also attracted top international players, promising thrilling competition from the get-go.

"We know that because of the players we've attracted to this league," says NSL CEO and co-founder Diana Matheson, "Canadians are going to love watching these players on the field, in the stadium, on TV."

A Season of Firsts

Following the opening match, AFC Toronto will kick off their campaign at BMO Field on April 19th against Montreal Roses FC, also streaming on CBC Gem. Halifax Tides FC will then host their home opener versus Vancouver on April 26th, while Ottawa Rapid FC debuts in the nation's capital against Toronto on the same day. Montreal's inaugural home match takes place on May 3rd, and Calgary will celebrate their home opener on Mother's Day, May 11th.

Extensive Broadcast Partnership

A multi-year partnership with CBC/Radio-Canada will bring the NSL to a wide audience. Select games will also be streamed on CBC Gem, TSN+, and NSL.ca, ensuring accessibility for all fans. "Ensuring our matches are available to Canadians is key to the long-term growth and viability of professional women's soccer," Matheson emphasizes.

CBC will broadcast eight regular-season contests, while Radio-Canada and RDS will provide live French-language coverage of all Montreal Rose FC matches. A "Game of the Week" will co-stream on CBC Gem and NSL.ca, with an additional 24 matches co-streaming on TSN+ and NSL.ca.

League Structure and Format

The NSL will operate with a single-division format, with teams playing a 25-game regular season. Each team will face every other club five times. The top four teams will advance to a two-legged playoff, culminating in the championship game on November 15th.

Building a Pathway for Canadian Talent

University defender Sophia Ferreira, who played professionally in Portugal, sees the NSL as a crucial bridge between U Sports and the professional ranks. "I think the NSL is putting a light on U Sports...and allowing people to actually look at us for once," says Ferreira.

Salary Cap and Marquee Players

Teams will operate under a $1.6 million salary cap, with a minimum salary of $50,000. Each franchise will be allowed one marquee player whose salary will not count against the cap.

A League Built for the Future

The NSL is owned equally by the clubs, with Matheson and co-founder Tom Gilbert holding a stake in the Ottawa franchise. Future expansion teams will also buy into the league, ensuring an equitable ownership structure.