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
Toronto Tempo Could Make WNBA Attendance History in Montreal
The Toronto Tempo are on the verge of making WNBA history when they bring their Cross-Canada Series to Montreal next month.
The Tempo will face the Atlanta Dream at the Bell Centre on July 10, with the possibility of setting a new attendance record for a WNBA game. If the game sells out, more than 22,000 fans would fill the arena, surpassing the current WNBA regular-season attendance record of 20,711 set by the Washington Mystics at Capital One Arena in 2024.
A packed Bell Centre would also eclipse the WNBA playoff attendance record of 22,076, which was established during Game 3 of the 2003 WNBA Finals between the Detroit Shock and Los Angeles Sparks before being matched in Game 5 of the 2007 WNBA Finals between the Phoenix Mercury and Detroit Shock. It would mark the largest crowd ever for a professional women’s basketball regular-season game, breaking the previous record of 21,490 set during an Unrivaled game in Philadelphia earlier this year.
The potential milestone comes during the Tempo‘s inaugural WNBA season and would add another chapter to the continued growth of women’s basketball in Canada.
“Playing two games in Montreal this summer is a huge moment for the Tempo and for basketball in Canada,” said Tempo President Teresa Resch. “From the beginning, we’ve said we want to be Canada’s team, and bringing the WNBA to Montreal is an important part of that vision. There is such a strong and passionate basketball community in Quebec, and we’re excited to connect with fans there in a meaningful way. We can’t wait to experience the energy inside the Bell Centre and continue growing the game across the country together.”
The Cross-Canada Series will offer more than basketball. Throughout the weekend, the Tempo will host community events, youth programs and fan experiences aimed at growing the sport across Quebec.
The team is partnering with Ball Her Way and the Mathurin Family Foundation to increase access to basketball for young athletes, including a girls’ 3-on-3 tournament presented by Canadian Tire featuring teams from Montreal and Quebec City. The Tempo say more community investments and programming in the Montreal area will be announced in the coming months.
Fans can take part in Tempo Live at the Bell Centre on July 11. The free event will include interactive basketball activities, community clinics, exclusive merchandise and family-friendly entertainment.
The weekend concludes on July 12, when the Tempo host the defending WNBA champion New York Liberty at the Bell Centre at 3 p.m. ET as part of the Cross-Canada Series.
Tickets for both Montreal games are available through Ticketmaster.
Sports
Toronto Tempo Unveil Bold “Rebel” Uniform Ahead of Inaugural Home Opener
The Toronto Tempo have revealed their new “Rebel” edition uniform, giving fans a first look at the alternate jersey the team will wear during its inaugural WNBA season.
The unveiling comes just ahead of the Tempo’s first-ever home opener and marks another milestone for the league’s newest franchise as it continues to establish its identity on and off the court.
The Rebel uniform is part of the WNBA’s league-wide alternate jersey program, which encourages each franchise to create a design that reflects its values, community, and culture. For the Tempo, that vision extends beyond Toronto.
The front of the jersey features “Tempo” across the chest, reinforcing the organization’s message that, while the club calls Toronto home, it represents basketball fans across Canada. The design is centered around the team’s secondary “T” logo, with speed lines extending outward to symbolize movement, pace, and the style of play the Tempo hope to bring to the court.
The uniform is finished in Borealis Blue, offering a cool contrast to the team’s signature Tempo Bordeaux colour. Flowing lines throughout the shorts are meant to capture the rhythm and motion of basketball, creating a look that emphasizes speed and constant movement.
The jersey also highlights two of the franchise’s founding partners. Beauty retailer Sephora appears on the shoulder, while CIBC’s logo is featured on the front of the jersey.
“The Rebel uniform is where we push boundaries and fully express who we are as the Toronto Tempo,” said Whitney Bell, the team’s Chief Marketing Officer, in a statement. “It’s bold, unapologetic, and rooted in the energy of our city. Every detail is designed to celebrate individuality, creativity, and the next generation of athletes and fans redefining the game. This jersey isn’t just something you wear—it’s a statement about where we’re going.”
Fans won’t have to wait long to get their own. The Toronto Tempo’s Rebel jersey is available now through the team’s online store (shop.torontotempo.com) as excitement continues to build for the franchise’s first season in the WNBA.