Canadian Football League Makes Historic Mark After Debut Season
A triumphant conclusion marked the inaugural season of Canada's Northern Super League (NSL), with Vancouver Rise emerging as champions. The side defeated AFC Toronto 2-1 in front of a packed crowd of 12,429 spectators at BMO Field in Toronto.
The NSL has set a high bar for professional women's football in Canada, boasting a minimum wage of C$50,000 and an average salary of C$75,000 – the highest globally. The league also offers a comprehensive benefits package, creating opportunities for coaches, media, and players alike.
The inaugural season has been a resounding success, with over 275,000 tickets sold, placing Canada's league among the top five globally in terms of attendance. Revenue generated by the league stands at C$30 million, while partnerships with 16 organizations have further solidified its position. Digital content has also played a significant role, attracting over three million viewers across traditional broadcast channels.
"We're exactly where we wanted to be," said Diana Matheson, co-founder and former Canada international, in reference to the league's debut season. "We knew we were building from scratch, but with one of the best countries for supporting women's sport, we set high expectations – and I say we've met them."
Vancouver Rise captain Samantha Chang expressed her gratitude at being part of the historic league, stating that playing in the inaugural game and winning the first trophy feels "full circle" for the team.
As the league continues to grow and expand, plans are already underway to add seven new teams by 2027. The NSL is also set to participate in the Concacaf W Champions Cup, further cementing its position on the international stage.
The success of the NSL is a testament to the potential of professional women's football in Canada, with many expecting continued growth and investment in the years to come.
A triumphant conclusion marked the inaugural season of Canada's Northern Super League (NSL), with Vancouver Rise emerging as champions. The side defeated AFC Toronto 2-1 in front of a packed crowd of 12,429 spectators at BMO Field in Toronto.
The NSL has set a high bar for professional women's football in Canada, boasting a minimum wage of C$50,000 and an average salary of C$75,000 – the highest globally. The league also offers a comprehensive benefits package, creating opportunities for coaches, media, and players alike.
The inaugural season has been a resounding success, with over 275,000 tickets sold, placing Canada's league among the top five globally in terms of attendance. Revenue generated by the league stands at C$30 million, while partnerships with 16 organizations have further solidified its position. Digital content has also played a significant role, attracting over three million viewers across traditional broadcast channels.
"We're exactly where we wanted to be," said Diana Matheson, co-founder and former Canada international, in reference to the league's debut season. "We knew we were building from scratch, but with one of the best countries for supporting women's sport, we set high expectations – and I say we've met them."
Vancouver Rise captain Samantha Chang expressed her gratitude at being part of the historic league, stating that playing in the inaugural game and winning the first trophy feels "full circle" for the team.
As the league continues to grow and expand, plans are already underway to add seven new teams by 2027. The NSL is also set to participate in the Concacaf W Champions Cup, further cementing its position on the international stage.
The success of the NSL is a testament to the potential of professional women's football in Canada, with many expecting continued growth and investment in the years to come.
Back in my day, we were lucky to get 1/4 that crowd for a decent pub crawl. But I guess times have changed, right? The NSL is definitely giving the NFL and MLB a run for their money with those ticket sales. And $75k a year? That's like, old money 
. Reminds me of when I was playing beer league hockey and we'd all just throw cash on the table whenever someone scored... simpler times 
, it's about time we get some more competitive sports in this country, especially when it comes to women's football! 275k tickets sold is insane 
, and $30m revenue? that's a win-win all around 
. I'm loving the fact that they're offering good salaries and benefits too, it's not just about the money though, but also about creating opportunities for people to grow and develop as coaches and media folks too. And let's be real, it's nice to see some Canadian pride on the field 
, especially with all these new teams joining in 2027! The Concacaf W Champions Cup is a great addition too, it'll be awesome to see our girls representing Canada on the international stage 
. I'm excited to see where this league goes from here and how it continues to support and grow women's football in Canada 
. gotta love seein new leagues pop up n watch them succeed 
. I'm curious to see how this league will continue to grow and expand – adding seven new teams by 2027 sounds like a solid plan 
.
Only time will tell!
IT'S GREAT TO SEE DIANA MATHESON AND SAMANTHA CHANG GETTING RECOGNITION FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION. CANADA IS REALLY LIVING ITS BEST LIFE RIGHT NOW! 
I'm so stoked for these young ladies out there chasing their dreams in sports. The money they're getting isn't bad either 
. All in all, I'm feeling pretty optimistic about the future of pro women's football in Canada 
what's next? are they gonna start calling it "hockey 2.0"? 
️ seriously though, C$50k min wage is insane for a female footballer in canada, i mean we pay our dudes like 100k+ and they get to do jack squat lol also i'm lowkey salty that afc toronto lost 
. How are they handling the logistics of adding new teams and expanding their reach, though? The plans to participate in Concacaf W Champions Cup sound super ambitious 
, and I'm so glad Diana Matheson & co are getting the recognition they deserve 
. It's time to keep pushing forward for equal pay & opportunities for all female athletes 
. Plus, I'm not sure how many of those "275k tickets sold" folks were actually locals... might be more tourists than Canadians showing up to support their team 
The fact that they're setting the bar high is giving me all the feels 
This league is about to take over the world (or at least Canada