Sports
Vancouver Rise FC Win the 2025 NSL Final
Vancouver Rise FC closed out the season with a trophy in hand, taking the 2025 NSL Final presented by Toyota with a 2–1 win over AFC Toronto on Saturday. The victory makes them the first club to lift the Diana B. Matheson Cup and the inaugural NSL Playoff Champions.
“We opened the very first game in NSL history, and tonight we close the season as its first champions,” said Vancouver Rise FC President Sinead King. “It’s a full-circle moment that reflects the belief, hard work, and heart of everyone at Vancouver Rise FC. I’m so proud of this team and equally proud of what the Northern Super League has built in year one.”
AFC Toronto struck first, with Kaylee Hunter finding the net in the opening half. A 30-minute weather delay stalled the action, but once play resumed, Rise FC took control. Nikki Stanton and Holly Ward scored in the second half, flipping the match and securing the win. After the final whistle, goalkeeper Morgan McAslan was named 2025 NSL Final MVP for her standout performance.
With traveling fans in full voice, Rise FC lifted the league’s first playoff trophy, an image that will sit in club history for years.
“Lifting the first NSL Cup is a special milestone for our club,” said Interim Sporting Director Robyn Gayle. “Every 90 minutes on the pitch is a product of the hours, days, weeks, and months of commitment invested away from it. I want to thank our players, our staff, everyone behind the scenes, our fans, the Crows, and all who have supported us in our journey to this moment.”
The title caps a season that pushed the team across the country and through a long list of challenges. Rise FC put together an eight-match unbeaten streak, logged two dominant 6–0 wins, and ended the regular season in third place with the strongest home form in the league. Their playoff run included a tense semi-final against Ottawa Rapid FC, decided on penalties.
Fans will get a chance to celebrate with the team on Wednesday, November 19 at Hollywood Theatre from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with player speeches, team introductions, and another chance to see the trophy up close.
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.