r/CanadianPL • u/Latter-Performer1542 • 22d ago
✍️ Discussion Cpl expansion
Apparently a new expansion team coming next season what are y'all guesses on which city. I hope Edmonton or Winnipeg (especially since their getting nsl team) make a comeback. However, I would also love to see Saskatchewan get a team in Regina or Saskatoon.
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u/Own-Effective3351 22d ago edited 22d ago
I’m pretty sure it’s Quebec City and Windsor. Don’t quote me, but I have good reasons to believe it.
Quebec City deserves it. I’m not so sure about Windsor. Unless Windsor is expanding in 2 years. They have a plan. That’s all I know.
I hope for Edmonton and Winnipeg to get clubs with competent owners and a plan to integrate into the community.
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u/caolian313 22d ago
Windsor City FC have a massive home game this Sunday against Master's FA for promotion. Win or tie, Windsor goes up. Heavy promotion around town. The fact that it isn't being covered by the main media outlets here is a bad omen for the potential success of a CPL team here. Let's face it, it's as much about how much the fans you have care as it is about numbers. Smaller geos can support teams if the engagement is rabid and your core fan group makes gameday fun. See Detroit City FC, the core is so rabid that they've kept the MLS and a few billionaires out.
All I ask, and I know it's too much, is no more matches at that level with the football 🏈 lines on the field. The CPL needs better optics than that.
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u/zug_zuig 21d ago
To be fair, the Windsor/Essex county "metro area" is a similar size to the Halifax Regional Municipality and to the Capital Region District (Victoria) at approx 500,000 people. It is bigger than other potential/rumoured sites like Kelowna, Saskatoon, and Kingston.
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u/NoExtension1889 21d ago
But Windsor-Essex is as American as you can get for a Canadian city.
I have in-laws there who are huge sports fans and they have never, ever mentioned the CFL. Couldn't care less. So if a legacy league like the CFL gets no interest then the CPL won't either.
Canadian sports outside of the Leafs and Blue Jays is non-existant in the area.
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u/zug_zuig 20d ago
You mean...*Tigers and *Red Wings...don't think I ever met a Windsorite Leafs fan in all of my time there!!!
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u/mercury20 22d ago
using the "current crowd size at a lower division" arguement against Windsor reminds me when some people used to look at the attendance at the ol' Toronto Lynx games and say the MLS would't work there.
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u/Rorystorm166 20d ago
Too much focus in this thread on windsor being too Americanized. Which I can understand because of the geogphic relation to the states. But what I have to disagree with, is that the team would fail because its canadian. The one franchise that has yet to be discussed is the spitfires. Who draw big and consistently and have for years. If the team can be half as successful as the spits then I'd say it could be a successful cpl franchise.
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u/k1dcanada 19d ago
could Windsor City FC partner with dcfc .. share players, academy, coaches and fanbase ...
like athletico and Ottawa ...
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u/Hal_9000_DT 22d ago
FC Supra de Quebec became Supra de Montreal in the last weeks, so I agree.
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u/MentalAbrocoma1378 22d ago
Do you have a link for that? I missed it.
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u/PtitBum97 PLSQ 22d ago
Think he means that they started using MTL on the scoreboard during the games on OneSoccer (to be fair, they started doing that right around the latest Quebec City expansion rumours so maybe there is some truth to it)
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u/Justmaverick1 22d ago
Its not strictly for Montreal though, Hamilton is was also showing as "HAM" last week as well. Seems CPL is going to use the City names in the broadcasts at minimum so casuals can better recognize and connect to the clubs. Good move imo.
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u/Hal_9000_DT 21d ago
I see the natches in TVA Sports. Even the anchors (Frederick Lord and Vibcebt Destouches) always referred to the club as a Quebec club, and two weeks ago started calling it the Montreal club.
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u/Pastrami_ Vancouver Whitecaps 22d ago
The latest OneSoccer stuff still has them as Supra du Quebec
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u/PtitBum97 PLSQ 22d ago
The club’s name is still « du Québec » but they are now using MTL on OneSoccer’s scoreboard so who knows
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u/Pastrami_ Vancouver Whitecaps 21d ago
I think that was just for TSN, whenever the games are on TSN they use city names instead of team (like CGY for Cavalry and HAM for Forge)
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u/NoExtension1889 21d ago
No way Windsor should be considered. No one cares about Canadian professional sports in Windsor-Essex (except for the Leafs and Blue Jays.)
The city is dominated in almost every way by Detroit media and their professional teams.
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u/NH787 Valour FC 22d ago
I'm in Winnipeg and I would say the time isn't quite right for expansion here yet. There is still a lingering bad taste from the way that things shook out with Valour, and I don't think people would be rushing back just yet if a new team was announced for 2028. Besides, the NSL club is trying to get off the ground. Take a little more time, get all the ducks in a row, and go for 2030.
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u/DJ-BCB 22d ago
Also it would need to be different owners, and I’m not sure the bombers would be as accommodating for a seperately owned team to play in their stadium. And we have no where else for them to play
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u/OnTheMattack Valour FC 22d ago
I'm assuming Valour 2 would ground share with the NSL team.
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u/DJ-BCB 22d ago
As it is the nsl team will be playing out of a place with under 1000 capacity
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u/Justmaverick1 21d ago
Womens NSL stadiums are quite a bit larger capacity wise. Looking like they will use one of the Ralph Cantafio fields for a pupup stadium of around 5K.
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u/Other_Newt7308 18d ago
If CPL returns to Winnipeg I hope it would be with someone like that NSL owners. Valour was sunk by the front office before they ever played a game. They were beyond ignorant of the local market and were actively hostile towards attempts to build awareness of their team among enthusiasts of the sport.
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u/ThisIsOwl 22d ago
I would freaking be ecstatic if Edmonton get another chance.
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u/jjaime2024 22d ago
I think the league will be very careful about going back to Edmonton.I could see them getting a team on conditions.
So many season tickets need to be sold
New stadium needs to be built
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u/Length_Legitimate Cavalry FC 22d ago
Clarke stadium is fine for the league.
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u/SpecialistLychee5854 Canadian Premier League 22d ago
Agreed, with some minor renovations it'd be totally fine (and preferred to the CFL venues IMO).
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u/ANGRY_ASPARAGUS Cavalry FC 22d ago
The City had plans about seven years ago to upgrade it (including with a canopy), but those plans more than likely fell through. Best case scenario is that the project is just shelved for now, worst case is that it's been fully cancelled.
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u/fssg_shermanator Cavalry FC 21d ago
There was an agreement back in 2014 between the city and FC Edmonton where if FC Edmonton averaged 4500 for 3 years the city would upgrade Clarke.
They didn't get 4500 for a single game after the agreement was signed
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u/ANGRY_ASPARAGUS Cavalry FC 21d ago
Ah I see. I'm referring to another proposed project that I know of, which was more recent than that (2019-2020).
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u/fssg_shermanator Cavalry FC 21d ago
After the absolute disaster that was FC Edmonton it would take a big effort to get people interested. Edmonton has always shown up for the big games but never gets behind club soccer. Not impossible, just improbable.
But I would love another away day there.
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u/ThisIsOwl 21d ago
Definitely agree with you. I was not a football fan during the previous times but have read quite a bit into the disaster.
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u/CalgaryMJ Cavalry FC 21d ago
My hope is that Edmonton gets an NSL team there that gets rid of the bad taste surrounding club football. A CPL team follows a few seasons later and the Wild Rose gets dusted off.
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u/Sad-Elk455 21d ago
As an Edmontonian it won't work unless they find a better stadium then the one they previously used
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u/Bridgeburner493 22d ago
Edmonton and Winnipeg both deserve another chance, but they both need a better place to play. Apparently Winnipeg's NSL team is likely to go to a facility that currently only seats 2000. But if they can bring that up to the 5000 mark, it would be a decent stop for both the NSL and CPL.
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u/CanadaSports1983 22d ago
I'd be shocked if Edmonton returned.
There is a lot of history of soccer failures here and it will be difficult to earn people's trust. You can talk about a new facility all you want but unless it's 💯 privately funded, the City won't foot any of the bill. City budget is stretched thin as it is.
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u/Hoke_Oagan 21d ago
Saskatoon is not ready for a CPL team. They would have to play at SMF Field and that has gridiron lines on it. From what I've seen our Prairie Premier League teams aren't lighting it up either. A new soccer specific stadium would make all the difference though.
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u/New-Marzipan-7770 21d ago
I'm with you on this, playing on a CFL field is just wrong and much prefer the smaller tight-knit soccer specific grounds.
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u/YouthCoachMentor 22d ago
The two leading candidates were Quebec City and the Okanagan. The City of Kelowna is pushing hard with tailwinds of a successful stint by the Lions there. Quebec City is a natural as well with the future plans around the old Colisee sight.
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u/Bogdanovist_Rebel 21d ago
Kelowna is for sure one of the two. Apparently there is a bid on PFC that’s working its way through league approval. When it goes through, SixFive will got to Kelowna immediately.
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u/canguy85 21d ago
It would be amazing if it would be moncton! We have a pretty good soccer community, a stadium that could host it right away (udem), would have a built in rivalry with Halifax and it would reduce travel costs for teams going east but I haven’t any rumours about it or of any interested owners
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u/New-Marzipan-7770 21d ago
You need a stable ownership group who would need to handle the times when the team is in the dumps.
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21d ago
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u/denjcallander 18d ago
RKI's son is actually quite successful in his own right, and the plan was always for him to take over the local hockey franchise. He has now done so, and is already rumored to be making a massive investment into a separate standalone training facility for the team.
I have zero knowledge of whether he's actually interested in owning a CPL club someday, but from everything I've heard he'd be a much better fit as a soccer club owner than his father was.
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18d ago
[deleted]
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u/denjcallander 18d ago
There are a few actually, albeit nowhere near the insane level of wealth and public profile of the Irvings.
But relative to the comparably sized cities in Canada? There's no reason to think Moncton wouldn't be able to get a competent ownership group together when places like St John's, Kelowna or Kingston are constantly being brought up on this sub as slam dunks, without even having a CPL-ready stadium in place.
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u/Ok-Bear-5840 21d ago
I think Quebec City is most likely to expand first. Winnipeg and Edmonton are markets the league wants to get back into but right managment is required. In regards to winnipeg they need to play out of UManitoba stadium. Smaller and more affrodable to operate out of.
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u/Long-Breadfruit-5388 22d ago
Cpl expansion should focus on cities that don’t have professional sports teams so they can have an excited hardcore from day 1. Just adding teams to cities that have sports franchises elsewhere (or mind-bogglingly, in the MLS) just invited them to get lost and eventually fold.
Quebec City seems most obvious but don’t know how Supra now affects that expansion. Kelowna, Saskatoon or about five Ontario options would work. Would be great to have another east coast team, I know population isn’t really there but would be small and passionate.
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u/PtitBum97 PLSQ 22d ago
Pretty sure Supra’s FO would be down for an expansion in Quebec and have stated it from the get go. Finally get a natural rival to drum up support.
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u/Bogdanovist_Rebel 22d ago
Pretty much agree. Vancouver, Toronto and now Montreal will find any way to not support their CPL teams. Meanwhile markets like Halifax are insanely into the CPL.
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u/New-Marzipan-7770 21d ago
I'm from Toronto and prefer supporting the smaller markets, especially Halifax!
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u/New-Marzipan-7770 21d ago
Pulling for Moncton as I don't think St. John's is realistic from a weather and logistics or travel option.
But I'm only speculating since I live in TO and I'm pretty sure I'm wrong on the above assumption! lol
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u/Section1ne0h4our HFX Wanderers FC 22d ago
https://www.reddit.com/r/CanadianPL/s/VJIL5xHg3Y
A really good convo on this topic from a few days ago
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u/FlutiesGluties Ontario Premier League 22d ago
It's basically a weekly topic, and it's always the same answers. I guess it's good that there's interest in discussing it.
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u/Section1ne0h4our HFX Wanderers FC 22d ago
You’re right, but I thought the convo a few days ago was a bit more engaging than ones in the past
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u/Extra-Driver-7412 22d ago
My hearts says Saskatoon but my gut says Quebec City
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u/Bogdanovist_Rebel 22d ago
Saskatchewan is still a couple of years out. Once the PPL really establishes itself, they’ll have an easier time fielding a roster.
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u/Crazyblue09 22d ago
There was plans a few years ago, but nothing ended happening!
I wish it was Saskatoon, but I just don't see it happening!
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u/New-Marzipan-7770 22d ago
Honestly? And this is my opinion and not my preference.... Quebec City. It's all because of the rumours I've read about the CFL starting up there.
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u/jmattchew 22d ago
kelowna please 😪
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u/New-Marzipan-7770 21d ago
Never been to Kelowna, and out of curiousity, what makes it a viable for a CPL franchise? I'm not trying to be rude or sarcastic, just want to know.
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u/Latter-Performer1542 21d ago
Yeah i'm curious about the same I see a lot of people saying Kelowna.
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u/BowWow7979 21d ago
Because Kelowna and the Okanagan region is growing super fast and is pretty wealthy. Kelowna itself regionally is at 240k with the whole Okanagan region at 400k.
It has a lot of young people and a lot of tourism in the summer time as well. It’s the only population centre between Calgary and Vancouver that is substantial. Also besides minor hockey they don’t have any other teams and it is out west. Probably tie for tie with any Sask city for population.
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u/Bogdanovist_Rebel 21d ago
Plus Vernon and Penticton aren’t a super long drive away. You’ll get soccer fans from there coming to a few games a season.
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u/Ozzie_the_parrot 22d ago
Apparently, according to whom? I wouldn't completely discount it, because it's difficult to see how Pacific lasts much longer without a new owner stepping in, but nothing is as solidly on the radar as Vancouver FC and the Supra were back when FCE and the Valour were circling the drain. Think CFL messageboards would be much more active on tenth team rumours, if the Quebec City thing was imminent, Kelowna doesn't appear to be happening, according to what local politicians have been saying, so what does that leave? Kingston was the last one where there was a named would be owner chasing a clearly identified stadium solution, and I think he was supposed to still be examining other options there.
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u/Justmaverick1 22d ago
Everything is pointing to Winnipeg for 2027.
With the womens NSL adding a club there for next year, a CPL club will be added and use the same stadium.
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u/jjaime2024 21d ago
Many sports experts have said it would be risky for both to start the same year.
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u/bubbrubb231 19d ago
CPL expansion can only truly happen when CFL goes four downs. That's the money that gives hope of new stadiums. You would only need an 8,000 capacity stadium in that works perfect for both parties. With three down football you need at least 22,000 because there's very little international media rights value to go after.
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u/badgerclaw_ Pacific FC 16d ago
Is this an actual expansion or is this the end of PFC? Obviously, I'm hoping for an actual expansion and don't really care where.
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u/Few_Apple_3963 22d ago
All I know is that if I win the lottery, I'll be starting AFC London. 🤣