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2026 Canadian Premier League season

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Canadian Premier League
Season2026
DatesApril 4 – October 25 (regular season)
October 31 – November 22 (playoffs)
Matches46
Goals132 (2.87 per match)
Top goalscorerMohamed Amissi
(6 goals)
Biggest home winVancouver FC 4–0 Inter Toronto
(July 4)
Biggest away winInter Toronto 1–5 Cavalry FC
(June 10)
Highest scoringAtlético Ottawa 5–3 Supra du Québec
(June 9)
Longest winning run5 matches
Forge FC
(May 31 – present)
Longest unbeaten run7 matches
Cavalry FC
(April 5 – May 24)
Longest winless run12 matches
Pacific FC
(April 5 – present)
Longest losing run4 matches
Pacific FC
(April 26 – May 24)
Inter Toronto
(May 29 – present)
Highest attendance15,122
Forge FC 1–0 Supra du Québec
(May 13)
Lowest attendance1,135
Inter Toronto 4–1 Atlético Ottawa
(May 1)
Total attendance175,552
Average attendance3,816
← 2025
2027 →
All statistics correct as of July 5, 2026.

The 2026 Canadian Premier League season is the eighth season of the Canadian Premier League, the top men's professional level of the Canadian Soccer Association's league system. Atlético Ottawa are the defending champions and Forge FC are the CPL Shield holders.

Rule changes

[edit]

The league is the first senior competition in the world to trial a new version of the offside rule, where offside is only called when there is "clear daylight" between the attacker and the last defender, following proposals from FIFA Chief of Global Football Development, Arsène Wenger.[1] The proposed trial was approved by the IFAB in February 2026.[2] The league is also implementing football video support (FVS).[3] To enhance match tempo and reduce time wasting, rules changes such as a five-second countdown on throw-ins and goal kicks, ten seconds to leave the field for a substitution, and a one minute holdout period to return from an injury, are also being implemented.[4][5][6] The playoff structure was reduced from five to four teams, returning to the format used in 2022.

Roster rule changes

[edit]

The CPL's total player compensation budget was increased by $33,500 to a total of $1,217,500 (or $1,337,500 for teams maximizing the U-21 salary incentive).[7] A U-22 salary incentive known as the "U-21 Graduate Provision" was introduced this season. Players who are in their age-22 season and have spent at least two years with their club will have only 80% of their salary count towards the compensation budget.[8]

Beginning in 2026, teams can now designate a third U-18 domestic player under the Exceptional Young Talent (EYT) rule. Players on EYT contracts do not occupy a roster spot or count towards the player compensation budget.[9]

Teams

[edit]

Eight teams are competing in the 2026 season with the debut of FC Supra du Québec, and the dissolution of Valour FC.[10][11] Inter Toronto FC is playing its first season after being renamed, having previously competed as York9 FC and more recently York United FC.[12]

Stadiums and locations

[edit]
Location of the 2026 Canadian Premier League teams
Club Results Location Stadium Capacity
Atlético Ottawa details Ottawa, Ontario TD Place Stadium 24,000
Cavalry FC details Foothills County, Alberta ATCO Field 6,000
Forge FC details Hamilton, Ontario Hamilton Stadium 23,218
HFX Wanderers FC details Halifax, Nova Scotia Wanderers Grounds 7,500
Inter Toronto FC details Toronto, Ontario York Lions Stadium 4,000
Pacific FC details Langford, British Columbia Starlight Stadium 6,000
FC Supra du Québec details Laval, Quebec Stade Boréale 5,581
Vancouver FC details Langley, British Columbia Willoughby Community Park 6,560

Coaching changes

[edit]
Team Outgoing coach Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming coach Date of appointment
FC Supra du Québec N/A (inaugural season) Pre-season Canada Nicholas Razzaghi October 30, 2025[13]
HFX Wanderers FC Canada Patrice Gheisar Contract expiration October 24, 2025[14] Italy Vanni Sartini December 10, 2025[15]
Pacific FC Canada James Merriman Sacked May 21, 2026[16] 8th Canada Yiannis Tsalatsidis (interim) May 21, 2026
Atlético Ottawa Mexico Diego Mejía Resigned May 31, 2026[17] 4th Diego Campos (interim) May 31, 2026

Regular season

[edit]

Format

[edit]

The regular season is played as a quadruple round-robin, with each team playing the other seven teams twice at home and twice away between April and October.

The regular season winner will be awarded the CPL Shield and qualify for Round one of the 2027 CONCACAF Champions Cup. The top four teams qualify for the playoffs.

Standings

[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Forge FC 12 10 1 1 20 7 +13 31 Playoffs and 2027 CONCACAF Champions Cup
2 Cavalry FC 11 8 2 1 22 5 +17 26 Playoffs
3 Atlético Ottawa 12 5 2 5 18 22 −4 17
4 HFX Wanderers 13 4 3 6 17 20 −3 15
5 Vancouver FC 12 4 2 6 15 14 +1 14
6 Inter Toronto 10 3 3 4 13 21 −8 12
7 Supra du Québec 10 3 2 5 14 16 −2 11
8 Pacific FC 12 0 3 9 13 27 −14 3
Updated to match(es) played on July 5, 2026. Source: CanPL
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Total wins; 3) Head-to-head; 4) Goal differential; 5) Goals for; 6) Away goal differential; 7) Away goals for; 8) Home goal differential; 9) Home goals for; 10) Fewest disciplinary points; 11) Most under-21 domestic player minutes; 12) Drawing of lots.[9]

Results

[edit]
Home \ Away ATO CAV FOR HFX ITO PAC SUP VFC
Atlético Ottawa 0–3 2–1 1–0 Jul 17 Jul 26 5–3 1–1
Sep 30 Oct 17 Aug 8 Aug 28 Sep 5 Sep 20 Aug 19
Cavalry 3–1 Aug 15 2–0 1–1 3–0 Jun 28 Aug 29
Aug 22 Sep 19 Jul 18 Jul 31 Oct 17 Sep 25 Oct 25
Forge 2–0 0–0 1–0 Sep 5 Jul 16 1–0 3–2
Sep 11 1–0 Oct 3 Oct 12 Aug 22 Aug 19 Aug 7
HFX Wanderers 1–3 Oct 12 1–3 1–1 2–2 Jul 24 1–0
Sep 26 Sep 7 Aug 2 Sep 20 5–2 Oct 25 Aug 22
Inter Toronto 4–1 1–5 1–4 2–2 Sep 9 Aug 23 1–0
Oct 25 Oct 3 Jul 26 Aug 16 Sep 27 Oct 7 Sep 13
Pacific 2–2 1–2 0–1 1–2 0–1 2–3 1–3
Oct 11 Sep 13 Oct 25 Aug 30 Aug 8 Jul 31 Sep 19
Supra du Québec 0–1 0–1 1–2 2–1 3–1 1–1 Jul 17
Aug 16 Aug 8 Aug 28 Sep 11 Oct 16 Oct 3 Oct 10
Vancouver 2–1 0–2 0–1 0–1 4–0 2–1 1–1
Aug 1 Jul 24 Sep 26 Oct 16 Sep 23 Aug 14 Sep 6
Updated to match(es) played on July 5, 2026. Source: CanPL
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Positions by match week

[edit]
Team ╲ Week1234567891012131516171819202122232425262728
Atlético Ottawa886674444333
Cavalry211222122222
Forge122111211111
HFX Wanderers333556666744
Inter Toronto454433333456
Pacific667788888888
Supra du Québec545345555567
Vancouver778867777675
Updated to match(es) played on July 5, 2026. Source: CanPL standings
  = Playoffs

Playoffs

[edit]

The 2026 playoffs will feature four teams. There will be a pair of two-leg semifinals followed by a single match final hosted by the highest seeded team remaining to crown the league champion, who collect the North Star Cup, and qualify for the 2027 CONCACAF Champions Cup.[18]

In the playoffs, if the aggregate scores are equal at the end of normal time of the second match, or end of the single match for the final, two 15 minute periods of extra time are played with each team allowed an extra substitution. If still tied, the winner is decided by a penalty shoot-out.[9]

If a team completes the 'Double', that is, the regular season winner also won the 2026 CPL final, then the second-highest seeded regular season team would qualify for the 2027 CONCACAF Champions Cup.[9]

Bracket

[edit]

 
 
          
 
 
 
 
First place
 
 
 
Fourth place
 
Higher seed 
 
 
 
Lower seed 
 
Second place
 
 
Third place
 

Statistical leaders

[edit]
As of July 5, 2026

Top scorers

[edit]
Rank Player Club Goals[19]
1 Burundi Mohamed Amissi Vancouver 6
2 Canada Tavio Ciccarelli HFX Wanderers 5
Canada Isaiah Johnston HFX Wanderers
Canada Ballou Tabla Atlético Ottawa
Germany Tobias Warschewski Cavalry
6 Canada Julian Altobelli Inter Toronto 4
Canada Terran Campbell Vancouver
Canada Loïc Kwemi Supra
Canada Sean Rea Supra
Canada Tomasz Skublak Inter Toronto
Canada Brian Wright Forge

Hat-tricks

[edit]
PlayerForAgainstResultDateRef
Burundi Mohamed AmissiVancouverInter Toronto4–0 (H)July 4[20]

Top assists

[edit]
Rank Player Club Assists[19]
1 Benin Goteh Ntignee Cavalry 4
2 Spain Miguel Arilla HFX Wanderers 3
Canada Thierno Bah Vancouver
Canada Sean Rea Supra
5 Canada Manny Aparicio Atlético Ottawa 2
Canada Clément Bayiha Supra
Canada Tristan Borges Forge
Canada David Choinière Supra
Mexico Alejandro Díaz Pacific
Canada Isaiah Johnston HFX Wanderers
Uruguay Nicolás Mezquida Vancouver
Canada Ballou Tabla Atlético Ottawa
Germany Tobias Warschewski Cavalry

Clean sheets

[edit]
Rank Player Club Clean sheets[19]
1 Democratic Republic of the Congo Dimitry Bertaud Forge 7
2 Canada Nathan Ingham Cavalry 6
3 Canada Marco Carducci HFX Wanderers 2
Mexico Diego Urtiaga Inter Toronto
5 Canada Tristan Crampton Atlético Ottawa 1
Haiti Garissone Innocent Atlético Ottawa
Canada Henrik Regitnig Vancouver

Attendance

[edit]
As of July 7, 2026, up to matchweek 12
Pos Team Total High Low Median Average Change
1 Forge FC 40,534 15,122 4,178 5,437 6,756 −2.5%†
2 HFX Wanderers 34,570 6,120 5,475 5,854 5,762 −10.8%†
3 Atlético Ottawa 19,937 5,259 2,019 4,007 3,987 −15.3%†
4 FC Supra du Québec 21,944 5,322 1,718 3,905.5 3,657 n/a†
5 Cavalry FC 14,718 4,106 3,001 3,805.5 3,680 −13.8%†
6 Pacific FC 19,211 3,383 2,150 2,452 2,744 −7.3%†
7 Inter Toronto 10,640 3,154 1,135 2,200 2,128 +3.6%†
8 Vancouver FC 13,998 3,528 1,348 1,820 2,000 +44.0%†
League total 175,552 15,122 1,135 3,547.5 3,816 −4.6%†

Source: CanPL, FotMob, LeonardFC


Awards

[edit]

Monthly Awards

[edit]
Month Manager of the Month Player of the Month Goalkeeper of the Month U-21 Player of the Month References
Manager Club Player Club Player Club Player Club
April Canada Bobby Smyrniotis Forge FC Canada Sean Rea FC Supra du Québec Democratic Republic of the Congo Dimitry Bertaud Forge FC Canada Alessandro Biello FC Supra du Québec [21][22][23][24]
May England Tommy Wheeldon Jr. Cavalry FC Germany Tobias Warschewski Cavalry FC Mexico Diego Urtiaga Inter Toronto Canada Adam Pearlman Cavalry FC [25][26][27][28]
June Canada Martin Nash Vancouver FC Canada Goteh Ntignee Cavalry FC Democratic Republic of the Congo Dimitry Bertaud Forge FC Canada Kian Proctor Vancouver FC [29][30][31][32]

Weekly Awards

[edit]

Players of the week are in bold.

Week Team of the Week Ref
Goalkeeper Defenders Midfielders Forwards
1
[33][34]
2
[35][36]
3
[37][38]
4
[39][40]
5
[41][42]
6
[43][44]
7
[45][46]
8
[47][48]
9
[49][50]
10
[51][52]
11
[53][54]
12
[55][56]

Player transfers

[edit]

CPL–U Sports Draft

[edit]

The 2026 CPL–U Sports Draft took place on November 28, 2025.[57] Sixteen Canadian university student-athletes were selected by Canadian Premier League clubs over two rounds.

Foreign players

[edit]

Canadian Premier League teams can sign a maximum of seven international players, out of which only five can be in the starting line-up for each match.[58]

The following international players were signed for the 2026 season. To be considered domestic for CPL purposes, players must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, refugees, or foreign players with at least three seasons spent in the league. Note that domestic players may still hold other nationalities or represent other countries in international competitions.[9]

Club Player 1 Player 2 Player 3 Player 4 Player 5 Player 6 Player 7 Inactive players[a] Former players
Atlético Ottawa Mexico Juan Castro Equatorial Guinea Roni Mbomio Mexico Jonantan Villal Mexico Emiliano García Mexico Daniel Aguilar Norway Erling Myklebust Haiti Garissone Innocent
Cavalry England Levi Laing United States Curtis Ofori
Forge Ghana Nana Opoku Ampomah Albania Rezart Rama Serbia Marko Jevremović Spain Ismael Oketokoun France Antoine Batisse Democratic Republic of the Congo Dimitry Bertaud
HFX Wanderers France Yohan Baï Republic of the Congo Jason Bahamboula Spain Miguel Arilla Netherlands Sven Zitman England Victor Akinwale Tanzania Cyprian Kachwele
Inter Toronto Mexico Oswaldo León Mexico Diego Urtiaga Mexico Raúl López Ecuador Ariel Almagro Belgium Béni Badibanga Peru Sebastián Gonzales Mexico Carlos Guzmán
Pacific Colombia Juan Quintana Sweden Lukas Browning Lagerfeldt Netherlands Diego Konincks Australia Taras Gomulka South Sudan Bul Juach
FC Supra
Vancouver France Abdoulaye Ouattara New Zealand Luis Toomey Burundi Mohamed Amissi Sweden Isak Ssewankambo France Lys Mousset Brazil Vitor Lucas Ivory Coast Aboubacar Traore Brazil Michel Cavalcante

Players in italic denote players who were new to their respective clubs for the 2026 season, sorted chronologically by their announcement. Players in bold indicate players who have represented their national teams at the senior level.

  1. ↑ Players who remain under contract but have suffered season-ending injury and may not return to play. They do not count towards roster or cap restrictions and as such can be replaced by another foreign player.

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Johnson, Dale (January 20, 2026). "Canadian league set to trial Wenger's offside idea". BBC Sport. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  2. ↑ Johnson, Dale (February 28, 2026). "Laws of football: Wider VAR scope and more countdowns for World Cup". BBC Sport. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Sources: FIFA to trial daylight offside rule and football video support during 2026 CPL season". HFX Football Post. March 6, 2026. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  4. ↑ Jacques, John (March 31, 2026). "Canadian Premier League Confirms New Playoff Format, Wenger's Offside Rule, And More". Northern Tribune. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  5. ↑ "CPL to 'shape the future' with offside trial, FIFA collaboration". CPL. March 31, 2026. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  6. ↑ "'On the forefront': CPL players, coaches react to 'daylight' offside trial". CPL. March 31, 2026. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Canadian Premier League to host offside trial in 2026 season". CPL. March 31, 2026. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  8. ↑ Jacques, John (March 31, 2026). "Canadian Premier League Confirms New Playoff Format, Wenger's Offside Rule, And More". Northern Tribune. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "2026 CPL Competition Guidelines". Canadian Premier League. March 1, 2026. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Canadian Premier League adding Laval-based FC Supra team in 2026". CBC Sports. September 25, 2025. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  11. ↑ Allen, Taylor (November 21, 2025). "Valour FC closing its doors". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  12. ↑ Davidson, Neil (November 27, 2025). "York United FC to become Inter Toronto FC in CPL franchise's third rebrand". MSN. The Canadian Press. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  13. ↑ Téotonio, Jean-François (October 30, 2025). "Le FC Supra a son entraîneur-chef" [FC Supra has its head coach]. La Presse (in French). Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Wanderers part ways with coach Gheisar after CPL playoff loss". TSN. The Canadian Press. October 24, 2025. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  15. ↑ Bailey, Mitchell (December 10, 2025). "Decorated soccer manager Vanni Sartini named new head coach of Halifax Wanderers". Global News. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  16. ↑ Jacques, John (May 21, 2026). "Pacific Moves On From James Merriman". Northern Tribune. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Atlético Ottawa head coach leaving partway through 2nd season". CBC News. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  18. ↑ CPL (March 31, 2026). "CPL to use four-team playoff format in 2026". CPL. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  19. 1 2 3 "CPL players statistics". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved April 4, 2026.
  20. ↑ "VAN 4-0 INT Vancouver FC v Inter Toronto". Soccerway. Retrieved July 5, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Forge's Bobby Smyrniotis named CPL Manager of the Month for April". Canadian Premier League. May 6, 2026. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
  22. ↑ "FC Supra's Sean Rea named CPL Player of the Month for April: 'It's been really fun'". Canadian Premier League. May 5, 2026. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Forge's Dimitry Bertaud named CPL's Allstate Goalkeeper of the Month for April". Canadian Premier League. May 7, 2026. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  24. ↑ "FC Supra's Alessandro Biello named CPL U-21 Player of the Month". Canadian Premier League. May 8, 2026. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  25. ↑ "Cavalry's Tommy Wheeldon Jr. named Manager of the Month for May". Canadian Premier League. June 3, 2026. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Cavalry's Tobias Warschewski named CPL Player of the Month for May: 'Can't be stopped'". Canadian Premier League. June 2, 2026. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Inter Toronto's Urtiaga named CPL Allstate Goalkeeper of the Month for May". Canadian Premier League. June 4, 2026. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Cavalry's Adam Pearlman named CPL U-21 Player of the Month for May". Canadian Premier League. June 5, 2026. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Vancouver FC's Martin Nash named June's Manager of the Month". Canadian Premier League. July 7, 2026. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Cavalry's Goteh Ntignee named June's CPL Player of the Month". Canadian Premier League. July 6, 2026. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Dimitry Bertaud named CPL Allstate Goalkeeper of the Month for June". Canadian Premier League. July 8, 2026. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  32. ↑ "Kian Proctor named CPL U-21 Player of the Month". Canadian Premier League. July 9, 2026. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Marco Carducci named Maple Lodge Farms Player of the Week (Matchweek 1)". CPL. April 9, 2026. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Gatorade Team of the Week 2026 (Week 1)". CPL. April 7, 2026. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Julain Altobelli named Maple Lodge Player of the Week (Matchweek 2)". CPL. April 14, 2026. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Gatorade Team of the Week 2026 (Week 2)". CPL. April 13, 2026. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  37. ↑ "Garissone Innocent named Maple Lodge Farms Player of the Week (Matchweek 3)". CPL. April 21, 2026. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  38. ↑ "Gatorade Team of the Week 2026 (Week 3)". CPL. April 20, 2026. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  39. ↑ "Sean Rea named Maple Lodge Farms Player of the Week (Matchweek 4)". CPL. April 28, 2026. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  40. ↑ "Gatorade Team of the Week 2026 (Week 4)". CPL. April 27, 2026. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  41. ↑ "Tomasz Skublak named Maple Lodge Farms Player of the Week (Matchweek 5)". CPL. May 4, 2026. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  42. ↑ "Gatorade Team of the Week 2026 (Week 5)". CPL. May 4, 2026. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  43. ↑ "Diego Urtiaga named Maple Lodge Farms Player of the Week (Matchweek 6)". CPL. May 19, 2026. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  44. ↑ "Gatorade Team of the Week 2026 (Week 6)". CPL. May 19, 2026. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  45. ↑ "Tobias Warschewski named Maple Lodge Farms Player of the Week (Matchweek 7)". CPL. May 26, 2026. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  46. ↑ "Gatorade Team of the Week 2026 (Week 7)". CPL. May 25, 2026. Retrieved May 25, 2026.
  47. ↑ "Ronan Kratt named Maple Lodge Farms Player of the Week (Matchweek 8)". CPL. June 1, 2026. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  48. ↑ "Gatorade Team of the Week 2026 (Week 8)". CPL. June 1, 2026. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  49. ↑ "Tristan Borges named Maple Lodge Farms Player of the Week (Matchweek 9)". CPL. June 8, 2026. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  50. ↑ "Gatorade Team of the Week 2026 (Week 9)". CPL. June 8, 2026. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  51. ↑ "Goteh Ntignee named Maple Lodge Farms Player of the Week (Matchweek 10)". CPL. June 16, 2026. Retrieved June 17, 2026.
  52. ↑ "Gatorade Team of the Week 2026 (Week 10)". CPL. June 15, 2026. Retrieved June 17, 2026.
  53. ↑ "Ballou Tabla named Maple Lodge Farms Player of the Week (Matchweek 11)". CPL. July 2, 2026. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  54. ↑ "Gatorade Team of the Week 2026 (Week 11)". CPL. July 2, 2026. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  55. ↑ "Mohamed Amissi named Maple Lodge Farms Player of the Week (Matchweek 12)". CPL. July 7, 2026. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  56. ↑ "Gatorade Team of the Week 2026 (Week 12)". CPL. July 6, 2026. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  57. ↑ "FC Supra du Quebec building roster with top two picks in U Sports draft". Sportsnet. The Canadian Press. November 28, 2025. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  58. ↑ "Canadian Premier League Official Site". CPL. March 1, 2026. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
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