The Rise of the Canadian Premier League: A New Era for Professional Soccer in Canada
Soccer in Canada is entering an exciting new era. The Canadian Premier League (CPL) – launched in 2019 as the country’s first truly national professional soccer league – has quickly become a game-changer (The History of the Canadian Premier League (CPL) - Soccer Wizdom). For years, Canadian talent had limited opportunities to play professionally at home, with only a few Canadian teams playing in U.S.-based leagues. That all changed when Canada’s soccer association announced the creation of the CPL in 2017. Now, young players can pursue their soccer dreams on home soil, and international student-athletes (especially from fellow Commonwealth countries like Australia) are taking notice. If you’re considering Canada as a destination for both study and soccer, the rise of the CPL means there’s a legitimate and exciting pathway waiting for you.
In this post, we’ll dive into the story of how the CPL came to be, how the league is structured, who the notable teams and figures are, and most importantly, how it’s creating new opportunities for young players. Let’s kick off!
A Brief History: Canada’s Own Pro League at Last
For decades, Canada didn’t have a true domestic professional league of its own. While cities like Toronto and Vancouver fielded teams in Major League Soccer (MLS), there was no Canadian league to tie the country together, and aspiring players often had to go abroad or south of the border for opportunities. This gap became impossible to ignore when Canada joined the successful North American bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hosting part of a World Cup comes with a caveat: FIFA expects the host nations to have a thriving domestic league (Business Strategies Drive the Canadian Premier League’s National Ambitions – BNN Bloomberg). More importantly, Canadian soccer leaders recognized that if the sport was to grow, Canadian players needed a stage of their own at home.
The vision for the Canadian Premier League started gaining momentum around 2017. Two key figures, business entrepreneurs Bob Young and Scott Mitchell, worked with Canada Soccer and other investors to turn the long-discussed idea into reality (The History of the Canadian Premier League (CPL) - Soccer Wizdom). The goal was bold yet clear: build a league “for Canadians, by Canadians,” that would develop local talent and unite soccer fans from coast to coast. By May 6, 2017, the league was officially founded by the Canadian Soccer Association, and planning was underway. Fast forward to spring 2019 – the CPL’s inaugural season kicked off, marking the first time Canada had its very own fully professional league spanning the country.
The opening match on April 27, 2019 was a historic moment. Forge FC (based in Hamilton, Ontario) hosted York9 FC (from the York region in Greater Toronto) in front of thousands of fans, signaling that a new chapter had begun. The atmosphere at Tim Hortons Field that day was electric; even the stadium’s big screen proclaimed the significance of the “Forge FC v York9 FC – Inaugural Match”. Seven teams took part in that first season, representing communities across Canada: from the Halifax Wanderers on the Atlantic coast to Pacific FC on Vancouver Island out west. The format in 2019 featured a split season (Spring and Fall) with the winners of each half meeting in a final championship series. Ultimately, Forge FC defeated Cavalry FC (from Calgary, Alberta) to claim the CPL’s first title, etching their name in the history books as the league’s first champion.
Since then, the league has steadily grown. In 2020, despite the challenges of a global pandemic, the CPL added its first expansion team: Atlético Ottawa, bringing professional soccer to Canada’s capital city. This expansion was especially noteworthy because Atlético Ottawa is backed by the ownership of Atlético Madrid – a powerhouse from Spain’s La Liga – a partnership that sparked international interest in the CPL. By the 2023 season, a new club in the Vancouver area (Vancouver FC) joined the fray, keeping the league at eight teams strong even as one of the original clubs, FC Edmonton, ceased operations. Today, the CPL features eight clubs from coast to coast (with plans to expand further), providing a truly national footprint for the beautiful game. The season typically runs from late April to October, aligning well with the academic calendar – which is good news if you’re a student – and concludes with playoffs and a championship match to crown the league winner. In recent seasons, the format has evolved to include a regular season league champion (awarded a trophy for finishing first overall) as well as a playoff champion who wins the CPL’s North Star Cup (the league’s championship trophy). This structure ensures there’s plenty to play for: consistent performance is rewarded, and there’s still the excitement of knockout playoff soccer.
Importantly, the CPL isn’t an isolated endeavor within Canada – it’s plugged into the broader international scene. CPL clubs participate in the Canadian Championship (against MLS Canadian teams and others) for a chance to play in the CONCACAF Champions Cup (formerly Champions League). In fact, Forge FC’s early success earned them the chance to compete in the 2019 CONCACAF League (and later the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League), making them the first CPL club to test itself against international competition. All of this means that the league, though young, is providing Canadian clubs and players a gateway to higher levels of play and visibility.
League Structure and Teams: From Coast to Coast
One of the coolest things about the CPL is how it knits together communities across this vast country. The league launched with seven teams in 2019, representing a broad geographic spread, and now features eight clubs in 2024. Let’s take a quick tour of the teams and how the competition is set up:
HFX Wanderers FC (Halifax, Nova Scotia) – Bringing pro soccer to the East Coast, HFX has a passionate fan base that packs their boutique stadium in the heart of Halifax. They prove that smaller cities can have big soccer passion.
Valour FC (Winnipeg, Manitoba) – Representing the Prairies, Valour plays at IG Field, sharing a venue with Canadian football (CFL) but carving out its own identity in Manitoba’s capital.
Forge FC (Hamilton, Ontario) – Based in the industrial city of Hamilton, Forge quickly became a league powerhouse (more on them later). They play at Tim Hortons Field, also home to a CFL team, and have set the bar high for success.
York United FC (York Region, Ontario) – Formerly known as York9 FC (the name changed in 2021), this club taps into the greater Toronto area talent pool and plays at York Lions Stadium in Toronto.
Atlético Ottawa (Ottawa, Ontario) – The new kid (launched in 2020) with a big-name big brother. With the backing and expertise of Atlético Madrid, this team adds an international flair to the CPL and plays at TD Place in Canada’s capital.
Cavalry FC (Calgary, Alberta) – Hailing from Calgary, Cavalry made waves in 2019 with a dominant first season. They play at a unique venue (Spruce Meadows, known for equestrian sports!) and have a winning mentality from day one.
FC Edmonton (Edmonton, Alberta) – One of the founding teams, Edmonton has been on a hiatus due to off-field challenges, but they were instrumental in the league’s launch. The hope is that top-flight soccer will return to Alberta’s capital soon.
Pacific FC (Victoria, British Columbia) – Based on Vancouver Island, Pacific FC brought pro soccer back to British Columbia outside of Vancouver. They even claimed a CPL championship in 2021, showing that west coast talent is top-notch.
Vancouver FC (Langley, British Columbia) – The newest club (debuting in 2023), giving the Greater Vancouver area its own CPL team. They play in Langley, B.C., and are quickly building a rivalry with Pacific and the other western teams.
(Yes, that was more than eight names — think of it as the league’s past and present. As of 2024, eight of these clubs are active, with Edmonton on pause and Vancouver FC as the fresh face.) Each team plays a balanced schedule home and away during the regular season, which runs through the spring, summer, and early fall. The top teams then face off in playoffs to determine the league champion. In 2023, for example, the CPL adopted an expanded five-team postseason, adding extra intrigue as clubs battled to lift the North Star Cup. This structure might remind you of leagues like Australia’s A-League or the U.S. USL Championship, but with a Canadian twist. For players, it means a solid number of matches (around 28 regular season games) to prove themselves, and for fans, it means every region of Canada has something to cheer for.
A key feature of the CPL’s structure is its Canadian-player focus. The league mandates that a majority of each team’s roster be Canadian, and even sets rules about giving young domestic players significant playing time. (We’ll talk more about those youth initiatives in a bit.) This is all part of the mission to develop homegrown talent. But international players are certainly welcome too – each club can sign a limited number of foreign players, which has included everyone from European and South American imports to a few Aussies and Brits over the years. The mix of local and international talent means the competition level stays high and young Canadians get to learn alongside experienced players from different backgrounds.
In summary, the CPL’s structure is designed to balance competitive soccer with development, all while representing the breadth of Canada. Whether you find yourself on the Atlantic coast or the Pacific coast (or anywhere in between), there’s a CPL club within reach, and a community rallying behind it. For an international student-athlete, that means no matter which university or region of Canada you choose, you’ll have a local soccer scene that’s buzzing with excitement and potential opportunities.
Notable Players, Coaches, and Standout Teams
In just a few years, the CPL has already produced its share of stars and storylines. The league may be young, but that’s part of its charm – new heroes are being made each season. Here are a few of the notable players, coaches, and teams that have been making headlines and turning heads:
Forge FC – The Early Dynasty: From the get-go, Forge FC has set the standard in the CPL. Under the guidance of head coach Bobby Smyrniotis (a name well-known in Canadian soccer circles for nurturing young talent), Forge won the championship in 2019 and has consistently been in the title mix every year since. They’ve lifted multiple CPL trophies and even performed impressively in international competitions. Forge’s roster has featured standout players like attacking midfielder Tristan Borges, who lit up the inaugural season with spectacular goals. Borges won both the Golden Boot (top scorer) and Player of the Year in 2019, then earned a move to Europe off the back of his CPL success. His journey proved that the CPL can be a launching pad for talented players – a place to shine and then springboard to bigger opportunities. Forge also boasts veteran leaders like Kyle Bekker (a former Canadian national team midfielder) who lend experience to the squad, and a pipeline of young players coming through each year. If you’re looking for a club that embodies success, Forge is it.
Cavalry FC – Consistent Contenders: Cavalry FC, based in Calgary, has been Forge’s fiercest rival since day one. Coached by Tommy Wheeldon Jr., Cavalry stormed through the 2019 season, finishing top of the combined standings, and narrowly lost to Forge in that first CPL Finals. Known for their high-intensity, attacking play and a strong team spirit, Cavalry have remained among the top teams each season. They finally captured the regular season championship (the CPL Shield) in 2023, solidifying their reputation as an elite side. Cavalry’s roster has mixed savvy veterans and exciting youngsters. Notably, this club has a knack for developing “unheralded” players into key contributors (more on one of those stories later). Their home ground at Spruce Meadows gives them a unique home-field advantage – it’s a bit smaller and intimate, with fans right on top of the action, making it a tough place for visitors. If you join a CPL club, a trip to Calgary to face Cavalry FC will definitely test your mettle!
Pacific FC – West Coast Rising: Pacific FC captured national attention in 2021 when they broke through to win the CPL championship, defeating none other than Forge FC in the final. This was a huge moment not just for the club, but for the league – it showed the parity and the fact that any team can rise to the top. Pacific’s championship team was full of young Canadian talent, many of whom were from British Columbia. Players like Lukas MacNaughton (a defender who later moved on to MLS) and Alessandro Hojabrpour (a midfielder who scored in the final) made names for themselves with Pacific’s purple-clad squad. Pacific FC also had an exciting Mexican striker, Alejandro Díaz, who won the Golden Boot in 2022, underscoring that international players can thrive in the CPL. The club’s coach during their title run, Pa-Modou Kah, a former Gambian international, injected a dynamic style of play that was fun to watch. Pacific’s success and style of play have made them a team to watch, especially if you find yourself on the west coast.
Atlético Ottawa – European Flair in Canada: When a club like Atlético Madrid buys a stake in a team, you pay attention. Atlético Ottawa, since joining in 2020, has been leveraging that connection to instill a professional culture and attract talent. In 2022, only in their second full season, Ottawa went from last place the year before to first in the regular season – a dramatic turnaround that saw them claim the CPL Shield. They fell just short in the playoff final, but it signaled that Ottawa is a club on the rise. With coaches and some players coming through Atlético’s global network, the team has a blend of European tactical savvy and Canadian grit. For example, their 2022 squad was coached by Carlos González, a Spaniard, and featured young talent like Ballou Tabla (a former FC Barcelona academy player from Montréal) who rediscovered his form in the nation’s capital. Atlético Ottawa’s presence shows that the CPL is attracting serious attention beyond Canada’s borders and that investment in the league is growing.
Players Making Their Mark: Beyond team achievements, the CPL has been a stage for individual talent to flourish. We mentioned Tristan Borges and his MVP season that led to Europe. Another name to know is Joel Waterman – a defender who started in the CPL and ended up on Canada’s national team roster in World Cup qualifiers. Waterman played for Cavalry FC in 2019 and was so impressive that he earned a transfer to CF Montréal in Major League Soccer, becoming the first CPL player sold to an MLS club. He has since been capped by Canada, including being part of the squad for the FIFA World Cup 2022. We’ll dive more into his story in a moment, but even just listing his journey (CPL to MLS to international duty) tells you how far a CPL player can go. Other CPL alumni like Victor Loturi (Cavalry FC midfielder who moved to Scotland’s top division) and Dominick Zator (who parlayed CPL success into a contract in Poland and national team call-ups) show that scouts are watching this league closely (Canadian Premier League encourages Canadians to Sport Local with launch of ‘Made in Canada’ brand campaign – Canadian Premier League). In fact, as of early 2025, twelve current CPL players have been capped by Canada’s men’s national team, and several young CPL stars have earned record-setting transfers abroad. Those are remarkable facts that underscore the CPL’s rapidly growing reputation.
On the touchline, coaches like Bobby Smyrniotis (Forge) and Tommy Wheeldon Jr. (Cavalry) have become renowned for their tactical acumen and talent development. Smyrniotis, for example, came from a youth academy background and has taken players from obscurity to stardom, while Wheeldon Jr. has a keen eye for young prospects and a charismatic leadership style that players love. The coaching caliber in the CPL is rising each year, and it’s common to see a mix of experienced international coaches and up-and-coming Canadian coaches battling it out. This only bodes well for players’ growth.
For an international student-athlete looking at the CPL, the key takeaway here is: this league is competitive and full of opportunity. New stars are rising every season – why couldn’t the next one be you? The league’s relative youth means that teams are always on the hunt for talent that can make a difference, whether you come from a big academy or a university program. The success stories so far prove that if you perform, you’ll get noticed.
Impact on Canadian Soccer Development and Visibility
It’s hard to overstate the impact the CPL has had on Canadian soccer in such a short time. In just a few seasons, the league has significantly boosted the development of players, coaches, and even referees, while increasing soccer’s visibility across the country. Let’s break down some of the ways the CPL is making a difference:
More Canadians Playing Pro, More Minutes on the Pitch: Before the CPL, a talented Canadian player often had to leave home to find a professional club – maybe going to Europe, or trying to crack a roster in the United States. Now, those players can stay and develop in Canada. Nearly 400 Canadians have played in the CPL since its launch in 2019, with Canadian players accounting for roughly 73% of all CPL minutes played to date. That is a huge amount of high-level game experience being accumulated by Canadian athletes. On top of that, the league specifically encourages teams to play younger Canadians: since the league’s establishment, over 100,000 minutes have been played by U-21 Canadian players in the CPL. To put it simply, the CPL is giving a generation of young Canadian (and Canada-based) players a chance to gain experience and showcase their skills, which is exactly what was intended.
A Wider Pool for the National Team: The ripple effects are already being felt at the national team level. As mentioned, a dozen current CPL players have earned caps for Canada’s Men’s National Team. Not long ago, that would have been unthinkable, because those players might not have had a pro platform to develop on. The league’s emphasis on homegrown talent is expanding the national team talent pool – giving Canada more options as it prepares for events like the 2026 World Cup (which Canada will co-host). In fact, the CPL’s top priority from the outset was to help Canada qualify for and compete in World Cups by elevating homegrown players. That mission is bearing fruit: players who cut their teeth in the CPL are now wearing the maple leaf on their chest in international competition. For example, Joel Waterman (whom we keep coming back to because his story is emblematic) went from playing university soccer, to the CPL, to representing Canada in World Cup qualifiers within a few years. Another example is Kwasi Poku, a teenager who played for Forge FC – he turned heads in the CPL and secured a transfer to Europe, then got a call-up to Canada’s squad. Stories like these send a powerful message: if you perform in CPL, higher levels will notice you.
Kwasi Poku came through the Canadian Premier League, representing Canada’s men’s national team, then onto Europe.
Pathways for Coaches and Officials: It’s not just players benefiting. The CPL has created coaching jobs and development opportunities for Canadian coaches who previously might only find lower-tier or part-time roles. Several coaches have moved up the ranks or gained valuable experience thanks to the league. Likewise, referees and other officials have a pro league to officiate, which improves the overall standard of officiating in Canadian soccer. The league’s front office often touts that dozens of Canadian coaches and hundreds of sports management professionals have found roles through the CPL ecosystem. This behind-the-scenes development is crucial for building a sustainable soccer culture – the more Canadians know how to run professional clubs and leagues, the stronger the sport’s infrastructure becomes.
Community and Visibility: Another impact is simply putting soccer in the spotlight in communities that were previously under-served by the sport. Take Halifax for example – before the CPL, Halifax didn’t have a pro team. Now, on game days, the Wanderers Grounds in downtown Halifax comes alive with sold-out crowds and a carnival atmosphere. Kids in Halifax can now see a pathway to the pro game right in their hometown. The same goes for Winnipeg, Calgary, Hamilton, and so on. Local media cover the teams, local businesses sponsor them, and cities start to identify with their clubs. This kind of visibility wasn’t there before, and it’s starting to change the conversation around soccer in Canada. The CPL’s “Made in Canada” marketing campaign in 2025 highlights these success stories – it proudly notes how the league is developing the next generation in all areas of the game and rallying communities around Canadian soccer. It’s not just patriotism; it’s paving tangible paths for athletes and sports professionals.
International Recognition: While the CPL is still growing, it’s already earned recognition from international football circles. The fact that a club like Atlético Madrid invested in Ottawa is one sign. The international competitions are another – Forge FC going toe-to-toe with clubs from Central America in the CONCACAF League showed that Canadian clubs can hold their own. And when CPL players get signed abroad, foreign media and scouts start paying more attention to what’s happening in Canada. In short, the CPL is elevating Canadian soccer’s profile on the world stage bit by bit. For a young player, that means playing in the CPL could put you in the shop window for opportunities you might not have imagined before.
All these developments point to one thing: the CPL is doing what it was meant to do – and then some. It’s strengthening Canadian soccer from the ground up and making the sport more visible and viable as a career in Canada. If you’re weighing your options as an international student-athlete, consider this transformation. Canada is no longer a soccer backwater; it’s a place where the sport is flourishing. And with the World Cup 2026 on the horizon, interest and investment in Canadian soccer are only going to grow.
New Pathways for Young Players – CPL–U Sports Draft and Youth Initiatives
One of the most innovative aspects of the Canadian Premier League is how it’s creating pathways for young players, especially those coming through non-traditional routes like university soccer. A shining example of this is the CPL–U Sports Draft, a program unlike anything you’d find in most leagues around the world. Since the CPL’s inception, this annual draft has been a bridge between U Sports (Canada’s university athletics system) and the professional game (CPL–U Sports Draft - Wikipedia), and it’s something every student-athlete eyeing Canada should know about.
Here’s how it works: Each year, usually in the late fall or winter, the CPL holds a draft where all its clubs can select top players from U Sports men’s soccer programs across the country. The draft typically has two rounds, so each club can pick two players (sometimes there are extra or fewer picks depending on trades or if a club passes). For example, in the inaugural 2018 CPL–U Sports Draft, Gabriel Bitar from Carleton University was the first overall pick, selected by Cavalry FC. In 2019 (the second draft), Cory Bent from Cape Breton University went first overall to HFX Wanderers FC. These are players who a few years earlier might have thought their competitive careers would end with university, but suddenly they had pro contracts waiting for them – all because of this new pathway.
What’s truly special about the CPL–U Sports Draft is the flexibility it offers to student-athletes. The league and U Sports collaborated to create a rule that drafted players can play for a CPL club in the spring and summer and then return to their university team in the fall without losing their college eligibility. This is a huge deal. In the NCAA (the U.S. college system), if a player signs a pro contract, their college career is basically over. But in Canada, they engineered a solution: drafted players often sign what’s called a “U Sports Development Contract” with their CPL team. This allows them to train and play with the pro club for the season (typically up until August 15) and then go back to school for the academic year and university season. During their time with the CPL team, they even get paid and don’t count against the full professional roster limit. If they impress and decide to stay pro, they have that option (forgoing remaining eligibility), but if they aren’t ready or want to finish their degree, they can return to school, no harm done. Essentially, it’s a win-win: the club gets a keen young player who’s hungry to prove himself, and the player gets a pro experience without a total leap of faith.
This setup has opened the door for many young players who chose the collegiate route to still make it to the pros. Canadian universities have some really strong soccer programs, and now CPL scouts pay close attention to them. The draft has uncovered gems and given them a platform. We’ll talk about a few success stories in the next section, but even in general, the draft has turned into an annual hope-generator for college players. If you’re playing university soccer in Canada (or plan to), you know there’s a chance a pro team might call your name and give you an opportunity that used to be extremely rare.
Beyond the draft, the CPL also enforces rules to ensure youth development at the club level. One key rule is that each club must field a certain number of Under-21 Canadian players for a minimum amount of minutes each season. In 2023, for instance, each team had to accumulate at least 2,000 minutes played by U-21 domestic players during the season. If you do the math, that essentially means a couple of young players getting regular game time throughout the year. This kind of mandate forces coaches to give youngsters real competitive action, not just bench-warm them. And it’s working – as we noted, over 100,000 minutes have been played by U21 players in the CPL’s short history. As a young player, that’s encouraging: the league wants you to play and develop, not just sit behind a bunch of 30-year-olds.
CPL clubs are also investing in their own academies and affiliations with lower leagues. Many CPL teams have links with local semi-pro or youth clubs (for example, through League1 Canada, which includes leagues like League1 Ontario, PLSQ in Quebec, and League1 BC). These act as feeder systems. A player might shine in League1 Ontario (a semi-pro summer league) and earn a call-up or a trial with a CPL team, even if they didn’t go the college route. In fact, some of the players taken in the CPL–U Sports Draft also have backgrounds in these leagues during their summers. The point is, the pathway to the CPL isn’t one-size-fits-all – whether you go through a university, a local club, or an academy, there are multiple doors open.
For international student-athletes, this should be an intriguing factor. If you come to a Canadian university as an international student and play for the varsity team, you are eligible for the CPL draft (as long as you have at least one year of eligibility left and declare for the draft). If you’re good enough, a CPL club might pick you, and then you’d have the chance to play pro in Canada while continuing your studies. It’s a route that bypasses the highly competitive and sometimes hard-to-crack NCAA system and provides a direct link to the pros. Even if you’re not drafted, performing well in U Sports could earn you a trial or training stint with a CPL club – scouts are always watching the U Sports Nationals (the championship tournament) for standout performers.
To sum up, the CPL is breaking down barriers between amateur and pro soccer. By integrating the university system with the pro system, and by imposing youth playing time rules, the league is ensuring a steady flow of young talent. It’s a very forward-thinking approach that other countries are now watching with interest. For you as a young player, it means Canada offers a remarkably supportive environment to grow: you can get a quality education and still chase a pro dream, with one foot in each world until you’re ready to fully commit. Not many places offer that kind of flexibility and support.
Success Stories: From Campus to the CPL
Nothing is more inspiring than hearing about players who took an unconventional path and made it to the professional ranks. The CPL–U Sports pipeline is still fairly new, but it’s already produced some heartwarming success stories. Let’s look at a few individuals who have transitioned from Canadian colleges or other non-traditional backgrounds into the CPL – and thrived.
Joel Waterman – From University to World Cup Qualifiers: We’ve already talked a bit about Joel Waterman, but his story deserves a closer look because it encapsulates what’s possible now in Canadian soccer. Waterman played five years of university soccer at Trinity Western University (in Langley, British Columbia), a school not traditionally known as a pro soccer factory. In 2018, as Joel was wrapping up his college career, the inaugural CPL–U Sports Draft took place. Cavalry FC took a chance on him, selecting him in the second round of that 2018 draft (Former CPLer Joel Waterman called up to CanMNT’s 2024 Copa América squad – Cavalry FC). In 2019, Waterman joined Cavalry and quickly became a key part of one of the league’s best defenses, making 25 appearances in that first season. His solid performances helped Cavalry reach the CPL Finals and put him on the radar of higher leagues. Sure enough, by early 2020, he made history as the first CPL player to be transferred to an MLS team – CF Montréal saw his potential and bought out his contract. Joel continued to develop in MLS and, incredibly, earned call-ups to the Canadian national team. He even made Canada’s squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Think about that: a few years prior, he was a college athlete with no domestic pro league to play in. The CPL arrives, he grabs the opportunity, and suddenly the trajectory of his career completely changes. Waterman’s journey is a blueprint for every college player dreaming of the pros, and it all started because the CPL provided a path that simply didn’t exist before.
Cory Bent – Proving Himself from U Sports: Cory Bent was a standout at Cape Breton University, a small school in Nova Scotia that actually has one of the top soccer programs in Canada. In the 2019 CPL–U Sports Draft (held after the 2019 season for the 2020 year), HFX Wanderers had the first overall pick and chose Bent. He joined Halifax and quickly became a fan favorite with his speed and tenacity on the wing. Over the 2020 and 2021 seasons, Bent grew into a regular starter for the Wanderers. The fact that he was the number one draft pick added some pressure, but he lived up to it, showing that U Sports talent can translate to the pro game. While the 2020 season was disrupted (the CPL had to switch to a shortened tournament called “The Island Games” due to COVID-19), Bent and many of his fellow draftees got valuable professional experience that year. By 2021, Bent was a key contributor as Halifax made a push for the playoffs. His journey, from English-born university player in Nova Scotia to professional in the CPL, is not one you hear every day. It sends a message: even if you don’t go through a big academy or NCAA Division I school, you can still reach the pros through U Sports and the CPL.
Eryk Kobza – Late-Round Pick to Starter: A more recent example (and a name you might not know yet) is Eryk Kobza. He was picked 14th overall in the 2023 CPL–U Sports Draft by Cavalry FC – literally one of the last picks that year. Many might assume a pick that low would be a long shot to even make the team, but Kobza had other ideas. The young midfielder, a product of the University of British Columbia, not only earned a contract, but by mid-2023 he was in Cavalry’s starting lineup regularly. He scored his first CPL goal in July 2023 and went on to log over 2,000 minutes that season (only two players on Cavalry played more). Cavalry ended up winning the regular season title, and Kobza was a core piece of that championship squad. He essentially became one of the CPL’s draft success stories of the year, proving that sometimes all a player needs is a chance. In interviews, even he expressed a bit of shock at how quickly he became integral to the team, but it’s a credit to Cavalry’s coaching staff (who clearly trusted him) and to Kobza’s own determination. For aspiring players, his story is a reminder: whether you’re the first pick or the last pick, once you get to camp, football is a meritocracy. If you’re good enough, you’ll play – especially in a league hungry for young talent.
Talented teenager, Victor Loturi, playing at Cavalry FC in the Canadian Premier League, which acted as a platform for him to be signed to Ross County in the Scottish Premiership!
Victor Loturi – Teenage Talent to European Pro: Victor Loturi’s path is slightly different but still “non-traditional.” He actually bypassed a full university career, but he wasn’t a product of an MLS academy either. Loturi came up through local Calgary soccer and was drafted by Cavalry FC in 2021 while he was just 19. He became a regular in Cavalry’s midfield over two seasons. His performances were so mature beyond his years that in mid-2022 he earned a transfer to Ross County in the Scottish Premiership (Scotland’s top division), at only 21 years old. Loturi also got a call to Canada’s U23 national team. His is a tale of a local kid who got a chance with his hometown CPL club and turned it into a career overseas. If you’re an international student considering coming to Canada, imagine writing a similar story: you impress in the CPL and before you know it, you’re signing a contract in Europe or getting a call from your national team back home. It’s not a fantasy – it’s happened for several players already.
These examples highlight something important about the CPL: it’s a league of opportunity. Because the league is new and still expanding its talent base, coaches are often more willing to give unknown or younger players significant roles. And because each team has only so many roster spots for internationals, they actively scout domestic channels like U Sports or League1 for any hidden gems. As an international student in Canada, you would technically count as an international player for roster purposes, but coming through a Canadian university could increase your visibility and familiarity to coaches. We’ve seen players from overseas come to Canadian universities and then make it to CPL rosters. The common thread in all these success stories is that the players seized the moment when it came. They might not have followed the “classic” route of joining a pro academy at age 12, but when the CPL opened a door, they walked through and never looked back.
A Legitimate Alternative for International Student-Athletes
So, what does all this mean for you? If you’re an international student-athlete, perhaps from Australia, the UK, or another Commonwealth country, and you’re contemplating your next steps, the Canadian Premier League presents a compelling alternative to the traditional pathways like the U.S. NCAA or trying out for clubs back home. It’s a league where you can realistically aim to play, and a country where you can get a world-class education at the same time. Let’s wrap up by putting things in perspective from that point of view:
Combining Education and Pro Aspirations: Choosing between pursuing higher education and chasing a professional sports career can be agonizing. The CPL offers a scenario where you might not have to choose – at least not right away. As we discussed, through mechanisms like the CPL–U Sports Draft and development contracts, you could start a degree at a Canadian university and get a taste of the pro game simultaneously. For example, imagine you enroll at a university in Canada, play for the varsity soccer team, and after a standout season you get drafted by a CPL club. You train and play with them in the spring and summer, and even make a few appearances in the league, all while still being considered a student-athlete. By the time September rolls around, you’re back on campus for classes and the university season, now with pro experience under your belt. That kind of dual track is hard to find elsewhere. If you went the NCAA route in the U.S., you wouldn’t be able to play pro until you’re done (or you’d have to forego college eligibility). If you stayed in, say, Australia, you might find it challenging to break into the A-League unless you’re in a professional academy from a young age. Canada’s unique setup could allow you to keep your options open and build your career in stages.
Quality of Competition and Exposure: Let’s address the elephant in the room – is the CPL “good enough” as a league? The answer is a resounding yes. It’s a young league, but the quality on the pitch has been steadily rising each year. Matches are competitive and often very entertaining, with a mix of seasoned pros and hungry youngsters creating a high-tempo style. The league’s top teams, like Forge FC and Cavalry FC, have shown they can compete with (and sometimes beat) clubs from more established leagues in CONCACAF competitions. From a player development standpoint, getting regular minutes in the CPL could arguably be more beneficial than, say, sitting on the bench in a larger league. Scouts and coaches know this. That’s why we see players moving from the CPL to MLS, or to Europe – the level is respectable and visible. Games are broadcast on television and streamed online (OneSoccer is the main broadcaster, and some matches have even made it to big networks like TSN). The CPL also attracts decent media coverage domestically, and increasingly internationally as well. By playing in Canada, you won’t be off the grid; you’ll have highlight reels, stats, and possibly even the opportunity to play in international tournaments (via the Canadian Championship, etc.) that put you on a broader stage.
Cultural and Lifestyle Considerations: Coming from a Commonwealth country, you’ll find Canada both familiar in some ways and refreshingly new in others. English is widely spoken (French too, in certain regions like Québec and parts of New Brunswick, but all CPL markets are predominantly English-speaking cities except Ottawa which is bilingual). The sports culture has its own quirks – hockey is king, but soccer is passionately supported, especially among immigrant communities and youth. One advantage of the CPL being new is that as a player you can become a local celebrity pretty quickly. You’ll find fan groups eager to adopt players as their own, and a generally welcoming atmosphere. Canadian cities consistently rank high in quality-of-life indices; you’ll likely enjoy clean, safe communities, and if you’re studying, you’ll be in some excellent universities as well. From the prairies to the coasts, each region offers a different experience, but Canadians are known for being friendly and polite, so integrating into campus life and a team should be comfortable. Plus, as a fellow Commonwealth citizen, there’s often a sense of kinship (you’ll be surprised how many people in Canada have an uncle in Australia or a cousin in England – the connections are there!).
An Alternative to NCAA: Many international athletes look to the U.S. college system as the path to go – and for some sports, it’s a great route. But NCAA soccer, while competitive, doesn’t directly feed into a dedicated domestic league in the way U Sports now feeds into the CPL. Also, the NCAA has restrictions (like limited training hours, shorter seasons, and as mentioned, no pro participation) that some feel can hinder development. Canadian universities, on the other hand, play a season in the fall but allow players to seek high-level opportunities in the spring/summer (i.e., CPL, PDL, etc.). If your goal is to maximize actual play and development, the CPL route could give you more months of the year playing at a high level. Additionally, if academics are a priority, Canadian universities are world-class and often slightly more accessible for international students in terms of scholarships for sports like soccer (which isn’t always a headliner sport for U.S. colleges outside certain conferences). In short, Canada offers a balance of education, play, and exposure that’s a bit different from the U.S. model – and for many, that’s very appealing.
Immigration and Beyond: It’s worth noting, Canada also has relatively friendly immigration policies for international students and skilled individuals. Many who come as students fall in love with the country and end up staying. Through programs that allow post-graduation work permits, one could conceivably transition from being a student to a full professional player on a work visa, and eventually even pursue permanent residency if that was of interest. This is getting ahead of ourselves, but it underscores that Canada is looking to attract talent – including athletic talent – from around the world. The CPL, in fact, has had players from all over: Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and yes, Australia and New Zealand (several Aussies have played in the league in recent seasons). If you join the CPL, you wouldn’t be the only international on your team, and you’d likely bond with teammates over the shared adventure of adapting to a new country and league.
The 2026 Factor: Finally, consider the timing. It’s 2025, and the FIFA World Cup that North America will host is just a year away. Canada’s national team will be in it (as co-hosts they’ve qualified automatically), and the spotlight on Canadian soccer will be brighter than ever. The CPL is bound to ride that wave – the lead-up and aftermath of the World Cup are expected to boost interest, investment, and attendance even further. Getting involved in Canadian soccer now positions you to be part of that excitement. Perhaps you won’t be on the World Cup squad itself (one step at a time!), but you might be playing in front of bigger crowds and gaining experience in a country buzzing with soccer enthusiasm.
The rise of the Canadian Premier League truly marks a new era for soccer in Canada. In a few short years, the league has transformed the landscape for players who once had limited options domestically. It has provided a platform for unknown kids to become pros, for communities to unite behind local clubs, and for Canada to stake its claim in the world’s game. For an international student-athlete, the CPL offers something incredibly valuable: a chance to chase your sporting dreams without sacrificing your education or personal growth. It’s a legitimate, exciting professional opportunity outside the traditional routes, and it’s only getting bigger and better each season.
As you consider your future, keep an eye on the CPL. Watch some highlights, follow the stories of players who have paths similar to what yours could be. You’ll find a relatable journey in many of them. The league’s slogan has been called the “league of opportunity,” and it certainly lives up to that. Whether you end up lifting a trophy in front of cheering Canadian fans or simply using the experience as a stepping stone to other endeavors, being part of this rising chapter of Canadian soccer would be a memorable and rewarding ride. The Canadian Premier League is on the rise – and you could rise with it. Welcome to a new era of soccer in Canada, where the opportunities are as vast as the country itself!
