Sports
Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team Set To Play The United States In Ottawa Ahead Of Rugby World Cup
Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team is set to host a highly anticipated international match against the United States on August 1, 2025, at TD Place in Ottawa. The match kicks off at 4:00pm PT / 7:00pm ET and will be the team’s only home game of the season and their final appearance on Canadian soil before heading to England for the 2025 Rugby World Cup.
Currently ranked #2 in the world, Canada enters this match with strong momentum, having recently won the 2024 Pacific Four Series, a tournament that included a decisive 50-7 win over the U.S., and a historic victory over reigning world champions New Zealand. The team also boasts a nine-game winning streak against the Americans. Several standout players, including Sophie de Goede, Laetitia Royer, Alexandra Tessier, and Olivia Apps, have been named to the 2024 World Rugby Dream Teams.
Tickets go on sale May 8, starting at $34.50 plus taxes and fees. Rugby Canada is also launching a Club Ticket Program, allowing rugby clubs in Ontario, Quebec, and beyond to raise funds while attending the match together. Clubs will receive 15% of ticket sales made through a special link, with seating in a designated stadium section.
This marks the fourth consecutive year that Ottawa hosts international rugby at TD Place. In 2023, Canada’s women played in front of a record crowd of over 10,000 fans. Local leaders and sports organizations, including Ottawa Tourism, Rugby Ontario, and the City of Ottawa, are backing the event, highlighting its economic and cultural impact.
To further support their World Cup ambitions, Rugby Canada has launched “Mission: Win Rugby World Cup,” a campaign aiming to raise $1 million to enhance team resources and training. Over 50% of the goal has already been reached.
More details, including broadcast coverage and media credentials, will be announced soon. Tickets and sign-up for early access are available at rugby.ca.
Sports
Vancouver Rise FC Reveal 2026 “After Dark” Home Kit
Vancouver Rise FC has revealed its new “After Dark” home kit for the 2026 Northern Super League season, pulling inspiration straight from the natural setting that surrounds its home at Swangard Stadium.
The design pays tribute to Central Park in Burnaby, with visuals that reflect the quiet, layered beauty of the park at night. Tree silhouettes stretch across the kit, creating a sense of depth and movement—meant to mirror the experience of looking up through the canopy after dark.
The club says the concept ties closely to its motto, “Stronger by Nature,” grounding the team’s identity in the environment that surrounds it. The design blends all crest colours with added tones that bring warmth and balance, giving the kit a look that feels both rooted and refined. Paired with classic shorts and socks, it leans into tradition while still telling a clear local story.
A key detail returns on both the After Dark kit and the club’s secondary “Sunshine Kit” for 2026. A Gold Pointed Star sits on the left sleeve, marking Vancouver Rise FC as the inaugural champions of the Northern Super League. The patch represents the league’s top honour and signals the club’s early place in its history.
Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley praised the design and its connection to the community, pointing to the pride residents have in their parks and green spaces. He added that seeing Central Park reflected in the team’s identity makes the return to Swangard Stadium for the new season feel even more meaningful.
The After Dark kit leans heavily into place and atmosphere. It’s less about flash and more about identity—something that feels tied to where the team plays and who shows up for them.
Pre-orders for both the After Dark and Sunshine kits are now available through the club’s official store, with options for delivery or in-stadium pickup.
Sports
2026 Stars On Ice Announces Olympic Bronze Medallists Piper Gilles and Paul Poirierat in Vancouver
Canadian figure skating fans are getting a rare post-Olympic victory lap moment this spring.
Fresh off the 2026 Winter Olympics, the country’s top skaters are heading out on the 2026 edition of Stars on Ice, with a stop in Vancouver set for May 12 at Rogers Arena.
Leading the lineup are Olympic bronze medallists Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier. Their free dance this season, inspired by The Starry Night, helped secure their first Olympic podium and quickly became one of the most talked-about programs of the Games.
They’ll be joined by a stacked group of Canadian talent, including world champions Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps. Also on the bill: four-time national champion Madeline Schizas, and rising pair team Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud, who recently picked up medals on the world stage.
The tour leans heavily into nostalgia too. Canadian icon Elvis Stojko returns as a central figure, still known for the kind of power and speed that made him a standout in the ’90s. Kaetlyn Osmond, one of the country’s most decorated skaters with Olympic gold, silver, and bronze to her name, is back as well.
Rounding out the cast are fan favourites Keegan Messing and Roman Sadovsky, with Sadovsky making his Stars on Ice debut. For the Vancouver show, guest performers Marie-Jade Lauriault and Romain Le Gac will join the lineup.
Behind the scenes, Kurt Browning returns as director and choreographer. His work has shaped the tour for years, blending technical skating with a more theatrical style that plays well in an arena setting.
The Vancouver stop is set for 7:00 p.m., with tickets already on sale through the usual outlets. Prices start at $35, with premium on-ice seating and group options available. More information on the Stars On Ice website.