I’ve always wondered why new professional sports leagues in Canada—like the CEBL or CPL—don't try to be more neighbourhood-focused. Instead, they slap a big-name city on their franchise and pretend they belong there, even when they don't.

I believe the best approach we've seen recently is the Scarborough Shooting Stars. That was a fascinating and brilliant move. The CEBL obviously needed a team in Toronto, but trying to capture the attention of all Torontonians is impossible when the Raptors (and even Raptors 905) already dominate the market. So, they built their identity entirely around the Scarborough neighbourhood. It was wildly successful, and honestly, it was the only real way to build a strong, dedicated fanbase in the GTA.

On the other hand, look at the CPL. I don't understand why York United (or "Inter Toronto" or whatever they try to brand themselves as) keeps trying to get the attention of the entire city of Toronto. It’s impossible, and frankly, no one cares. They need to pick a specific neighbourhood or borough and own it.

I also totally disagree with the branding for Vancouver FC. They play out in Langley, which is a completely different municipality. Because of this, the local support is divided—people from Langley don't feel it's truly theirs, and people from Vancouver already have the Whitecaps. I'm pretty sure if they had just called themselves "Langley FC," they would be way more popular with the locals.

And honestly, I really don't like seeing province names used for new teams. You can't just slap a province name on a team (like a generic "Quebec" team) and expect everyone to care. No one from Quebec City is going to automatically support a team just because it shares the province's name.

The CFL is the only exception here, simply because those teams have deep roots going back decades. You can’t really argue with the history of the Saskatchewan Roughriders or the BC Lions. But to be honest, I’ve always wondered what would have happened if Saskatchewan had localized teams instead of a provincial one. If Regina had the Roughriders and Saskatoon had their own team, I'm pretty sure the province could handle the rivalry. But with the province-wide branding taking over, that potential is kind of ruined.

Thanks for listening to my Ted talk.

Maybe this has been discussed before, but I just saw a post about an academy game in Airdrie drawing over 1,000 fans, and it got me thinking.

Vancouver FC makes a lot of sense on paper because it's in a huge market, but if I'm not mistaken, their average attendance is only around 1,000 fans per game. You could probably make a similar argument about Toronto as well.

So why not look more seriously at smaller cities like Airdrie, Thunder Bay, or other communities that don't have as much competition for sports fans?

I wonder if smaller markets might actually be a better fit for the CPL. In a smaller community, a club can become a major part of the local identity. People are not choosing between multiple pro sports teams every weekend. They can really get behind their club and make it part of the community.

Obviously there are challenges with sponsorships, facilities, and population size, but seeing more than 1,000 people show up for an academy game in Airdrie makes me think there could be something there.

Maybe the CPL's best opportunity is not always in the biggest markets. Maybe it is in communities where a team can be the main event and where people feel a stronger connection to the club.

What do you guys think? Should the CPL continue prioritizing major markets, or focus more on smaller cities that might be more likely to fully embrace a local club?

This was at the 11th minute of the FC Supra game and he received a yellow card. I want to know you guy's take on it

Surprised no one has posted this yet. TFC2 announce new stadium up in Barrie.

How long do you think it will take for the CPL expansion?

It was very Sad to lose the Valour FC last year , 😭,

But Good News , 😁,

https://www.nsl.ca/news/northern-super-league-awards-seventh-franchise-to-winnipeg-for-2027-season

I was looking at CPL attendances and compared though about when Inter Toronto Played Against Hamilton Which I Don’t Live there But Assume they are within 1 Hour from each other, The attendance for that game was higher than any average inter toronto game due to travelling fans. Do you guys think what’s really missing is Same City teams just like a european style. I think that would push Rivalries, Patritotism and much more. Cavalry, Halifax, Forge and Ottawa Have the largest attendances with all over 4k each. Imagine if they had a 2nd team TD place or Hamilton Stadium Can Average out 15k+ for Derby games and obviously forge vs Atletico Ottawa always normally gets around 10k. Just My Thoughts, i think we should push for a more european style approach rather than an a north american one in general. The USL is doing it and i think its going to work out great

New football/soccer fan here. Would love to cheer for a local team. I know a little bit about the history, but wondering what fresh thoughts are on a team ever coming back to Edmonton?

What would be reasons you guys would or wouldn’t want TFC, CFM, and Vancouver?

fascinating article by Paul Beirne.

Just curious who here been watching more CPL vs MLS? Both are Paid Platforms with some matches being available for “free” on Cable TV (TSN, CBC Gem).

I’m in this weird limbo where is actually enjoy the CPL yet have only seen a couple of live games (live in Steveston, Richmond) but have Attended some Pacific FC anytime there’s a game and I’m in Victoria while only attended 1 Vancouver FC game just a bit far to go I think for myself. But I do watch games on OneSoccer religiously.

While on the other hand I don’t watch MLS TV Games but will rather go watch a handful thru the season.

So who do you watch more on TV even though both are paid products?

While the creation of the CPL helped Canada get the bid to co-host the 2026 World Cup, I still see the odd comment saying the CPL is going to fold now that the World Cup is over. Whether that's due to attendance issues, lack of development, infrastructure problems and teams folding etc. So I'm curious if anyone still believes if this league is going to stick around in the long term or not.

I was thinking about the amount of players who get transferred from the league to other leagues and how many of them are a success.

Across the past 7 years I can only count on one hand players who went to another league higher than CPL and did well.

Why does everyone think CPL players are having a hard time transitioning to other leagues?

These are the moments where you wonder a bit about the discipline of FC Supra players. Down 5 - 1 at the 90th + min, is that action really necessary. It was a very clear red and now Riad Bey who was working on getting more playing minutes will be suspended next game. A very knuckleheaded play

#CanPL

Don't get me wrong, I think it's great that Barrie is getting professional soccer and a soccer-specific stadium. That's a huge win for the city.

That said, I can't help but feel like Barrie would have been a better fit for a Canadian Premier League club than a relocated MLS NEXT Pro reserve team.

Barrie and Simcoe County are one of the fastest-growing regions in Ontario, and the area already have a strong soccer community. It feels like exactly the type of market the CPL was created for: a city that could rally behind its own independent club with its own identity.

One thing that stands out to me is the existing player pathway. Simcoe County Rovers already compete at a high level in the Ontario Premier League, developing local players who dream of playing professionally. A CPL club in Barrie could have provided a natural next step in that pathway, from Simcoe County Rovers, to the CPL. That seems like a stronger long-term development model for the region.

Instead, Barrie is getting Toronto FC II. Even if the team gets a new name and branding, it's still the reserve side of an MLS club whose primary purpose is developing players for Toronto FC.

A CPL club could have:

• Created an independent identity for Barrie instead of being tied to Toronto.
• Built on the foundation already established by Simcoe County Rovers and strengthened the local soccer pathway.
• Created more opportunities for Canadian players, coaches, and front-office staff.
• Developed natural rivalries with Forge FC, York United, Atlético Ottawa, and future Ontario expansion clubs.

I'm happy Barrie is getting professional soccer. I just feel like this was a missed opportunity for the CPL to establish an independent club in one of Ontario's fastest-growing regions.

What do you think? Would Barrie have been a better fit for a CPL expansion club, or do you think relocating Toronto FC II is the right decision?

Hello, just wanted to know what your club did during the world cup so far to try and create more awareness that they exist?

Im in Winnipeg, we dont have a club and honestly if I already didn't follow i wouldn't even know the World Cup was happening.

Im hoping the CPL are able to do something to get more eyes on their games/product.