Canadian Premier League gets green light from Canada Soccer
The Canadian Soccer Association unanimously voted to allow the Canadian Premier League to join its soccer pyramid, the organization announced Saturday, with ownership groups in Hamilton and Winnipeg already accepted as members of the newly formed league.
The vote took place in Whistler, B.C., and included ownership groups from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL. In total, 10 cities across the country have submitted interest in the Canadian Premier League, which is set to kick off in 2018.
Canadian Premier League clubs will also compete for the annual Canadian Championship, with the winner of the Voyageurs Cup earning a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League.
"I would like to thank the Canada Soccer Membership for the opportunity as we continue the incredible momentum for the sport of soccer in our country," the CSA's new president-elect Steve Reed said in a statement.
"This was an important day for our sport with the unanimous approval of the Canadian Premier League along with Hamilton and Winnipeg as new members of the Association and the overwhelming support for the 2026 FIFA World Cup joint bid with USA and Mexico. I look forward to serving the Membership and building on the legacy of Victor Montagliani’s leadership of the past five years."
While the likes of Toronto FC, the Montreal Impact and the Vancouver Whitecaps are expected to remain in MLS, teams like the Ottawa Fury or FC Edmonton could potentially make the switch to the Canadian Premier League, though there is no word from either regarding a move.
Toronto FC president Bill Manning has suggested having a Toronto FC academy team compete in Canada's top flight, offering to Kurt Larson of the Toronto Sun: "If we don't have a team in the league, we'll still be supportive as long as you're not competing with us."
"We're very protective of Toronto. This is our market," Manning added.
Talk of a Canadian first-division was first reported in 2013, with the Ticats among the first potential interested parties. The CPL will now evaluate candidate cities "in the next few months."