Sports
Northern Super League 2025 Regular Season Schedule Released
The wait is over. The inaugural season of the Northern Super League is set to make history, bringing professional women’s soccer coast to coast in Canada. With six clubs ready to take the pitch, fans can expect an electric first season filled with high-stakes matchups, star-studded rosters, and unforgettable moments.
From landmark stadium debuts to rivalry clashes and must-see marquee signings, let’s break down the key dates, player duels, and can’t-miss moments of the 2025 campaign.
Opening Weekend: A Grand Kickoff in Iconic Venues
The first-ever NSL match sets the stage in Vancouver on April 16, where Vancouver takes on Calgary at BC Place in front of what is sure to be a massive, history-making crowd. Calgary, featuring Meikayla Moore, Grace Stordy, and Sonia O’Neill, will be looking to spoil Vancouver’s home debut. The hosts will counter with a star-studded lineup featuring Quinn, Shannon Woeller, and Jessica DeFillippo—expect a battle between Vancouver’s dynamic midfield and Calgary’s aggressive attacking play.
Just three days later, BMO Field hosts the first-ever NSL match in The 6 as AFC Toronto faces the Montreal Roses on April 19. With Emma Regan, Victoria Pickett, and Mya Jones leading Toronto’s midfield and Jade Kovacevic and Leah Pais in the attack, they’ll have to break through a tough Montreal squad featuring Latifah Abdu, Tanya Boychuk, and Mégane Sauvé. Expect a fierce, physical battle every time these two meet.
The Rivalries Begin: Who Will Claim Early Supremacy?
Toronto vs. Montreal – The Battle of the 401
These two powerhouses meet three times this season, including the April 19 showdown at BMO Field. Toronto’s goal-scoring duo of Kovacevic and Pais will need to find a way past Montreal’s defensive unit, led by Gabrielle Lambert and Noémi Paquin. Keep an eye on Toronto’s Croix Soto and Aoi Kizaki to be key defensive figures in containing Montreal’s attack.
Vancouver vs. Calgary – Western Canada Showdown
Vancouver and Calgary will be pushing for dominance in the West, with their second meeting on June 8 in Calgary potentially shaping playoff positioning. Calgary’s Farkhunda Muhtaj and Jaclyn Sawicki will go toe-to-toe with Vancouver’s technical and speedy attack, featuring Nikki Stanton, Samantha Chang, and Jessica Wulf.
Ottawa vs. Halifax – The East Coast Energy Clash
With a Canada Day weekend showdown on June 30, this battle will showcase some of the league’s biggest stars. Ottawa’s Julia Benati, Desiree Scott, and Susanne Haaland will have to break through Halifax’s defensive unit, led by Kiley Norkus and Anika Tóth. Meanwhile, Gunny Jónsdóttir and Milly Clegg will look to spark Halifax’s attack.
Key Player Matchups to Watch
Jade Kovacevic (Toronto) vs. Charlotte Bilbault (Montreal)
A high-profile battle between an elite striker and a world-class defensive midfielder, this duel will be crucial in determining which club comes out on top in the Toronto-Montreal rivalry.
Erin McLeod (Halifax) vs. Sofia Manner (Toronto)
A matchup between two elite goalkeepers who will be pivotal for their teams. McLeod’s experience and leadership will be tested against Toronto’s rising star Manner, who is set to make her mark in the NSL.
Grace Stordy (Calgary) vs. Jasmyne Spencer (Vancouver)
A clash of physicality and skill—Stordy’s defensive acumen will be crucial in stopping Vancouver’s attacking speedster, Spencer, who thrives on taking on defenders one-on-one.
Emma Regan (Toronto) vs. Quinn (Vancouver)
Two of Canada’s brightest midfield talents go head-to-head in a battle of vision, control, and physicality. Regan’s ability to dictate play for Toronto will be tested by Quinn’s defensive presence and quick transitions for Vancouver.
Gunny Jónsdóttir (Halifax) vs. Desiree Scott (Ottawa)
A clash between two veteran midfielders known for their leadership and defensive capabilities. Expect hard challenges and smart positioning as they battle for control in the center of the pitch.
Season Breakdown
Each Northern Super League club will play 25 regular season matches. For the inaugural season:
- Ottawa, Calgary, and Halifax will play 13 home and 12 away matches.
- Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver will each play 12 home and 13 away matches.
- All six clubs will compete in a single-table format with the standard point system: three points for a win, one for a draw, zero for a loss.
At the end of the season, the top four teams will compete in a home-and-away semifinal format. The higher-seeded club will host the second leg. The two clubs with the higher aggregate score will advance to the championship match on November 15.
Where to Watch the NSL in 2025
All 75 Northern Super League regular season matches will be available nationally across multiple platforms. TSN will air 20 regular season games, while CBC will broadcast eight.
French-language coverage will be available for all Montreal Roses matches. RDS will broadcast 21 matches, while Radio-Canada will air four matches live on ICI TÉLÉ and ICI TOU.TV.
In addition to linear broadcasts, a ‘Game of the Week’ will stream on CBC Gem and NSL.ca, while 24 additional matches will stream on TSN+ and NSL.ca.
Get Ready: The 2025 Season Starts Now
With an elite mix of domestic and international talent, six passionate clubs, and a new era of Canadian women’s soccer, the 2025 Northern Super League season is set to be an unmissable ride.
DOWNLOAD the 2025 NSL Regular Season Schedule
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
Vancouver Rise FC Transfer Holly Ward to NWSL Side Seattle Reign FC
Vancouver Rise FC has made a major statement about its player development pathway. The club announced Friday that winger Holly Ward has been transferred to Seattle Reign FC of the National Women’s Soccer League for an undisclosed fee.
The move marks the first time a Rise FC Academy graduate has been transferred out of the club, setting a new benchmark for the organization and the broader Northern Super League.
Sporting director Stephanie Labbé called the transfer a defining moment. She pointed to Ward’s rise through the system as proof that the league is doing what it set out to do—create real opportunities for Canadian players.
Ward’s journey with the club began in 2018 when she joined the Rise FC Academy, then known as the Whitecaps FC Girls Elite Academy. Seven years later, she returned home to sign her first professional deal ahead of the 2025 season.
The 22-year-old from North Vancouver wasted no time making an impact. She started 27 of 28 matches in her rookie campaign, scoring eight goals and adding five assists. Her biggest moment came in the league’s inaugural final, where she scored the winner in a 2–1 victory over AFC Toronto to secure the Diana B. Matheson Cup.
Speaking about the move, Ward described her time in Vancouver as a dream realized. Playing professionally in her hometown and helping deliver a championship made the experience hard to leave behind, though she expressed excitement about the next step in her career.
Her breakout season didn’t go unnoticed at the international level. Ward earned her first senior call-up to the Canadian women’s national team and made history on June 3 by becoming the first NSL player to score for Canada in a match against Haiti.
Head coach Anja Heiner-Møller praised Ward’s growth and character, highlighting her attacking ability, work ethic, and presence in the locker room. She noted that Ward’s development—from academy prospect to national team contributor—reflects the strength of the club’s environment.
The transfer is a significant step for Rise FC as it begins to participate in the global player market, something the club sees as key to long-term growth. It also reinforces the idea that young Canadian players can develop at home and still reach top leagues abroad.
Rise FC now turns its focus to the upcoming season. The club will open its 2026 campaign with a championship rematch against AFC Toronto on April 24 at Swangard Stadium, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. PT.
Fans can purchase single-match tickets or explore package options, including season memberships that cover all 13 home games and flexible ticket bundles built around the home opener.