The Northern Super League (NSL), a new professional women’s soccer league in Canada, is planning to expand by adding a seventh team in 2027. The league, which started this year, already has six teams located in Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver. Now, it wants to grow and bring more opportunities for players, fans, and communities, especially in Central and Western parts of the country.
Diana Matheson, the co-founder of the league and part-owner of the Ottawa Rapid team, shared that the league had originally thought about adding two teams in 2027. However, after discussing with other members, they decided that one team would be the best choice. This way, they can carefully choose the location and make sure it helps balance the league across the country.
“We like the feel of adding one team in 2027. It allows us to clearly target Central Canada and Western Canada,” Matheson said in an interview.
The league wants to give players more chances to play at the professional level and ensure that the teams are spread across the country. By adding a seventh team, it hopes to create new paths for young women who dream of playing soccer at a high level.
The league is currently looking at areas from Manitoba to British Columbia for this new team. These provinces have passionate soccer fans but less professional team presence compared to the east coast or bigger cities like Toronto and Vancouver.
Matheson also said that many people from the United States and Europe are interested in owning a team. Investors see women’s sports as a growing industry and believe Canada is one of the best places to invest.
“There’s a lot of folks out there that are looking at women’s sport as a growth industry, which it is. And they’re looking at Canada as a top market within that industry,” she said.
This shows that the league’s success is attracting attention beyond the country’s borders. However, the league still wants strong local connections when choosing new owners. They want people who care about the community and will help build the sport at the grassroots level.
When the league started, the cost to own a team was about 1 million dollars as a franchise fee. On top of that, each team needed to invest between 8 and 10 million dollars over the first five years to cover other expenses like stadium upgrades and training facilities.
Since then, these numbers have likely increased, but Matheson did not share the exact amounts. However, she mentioned that the league is carefully managing its finances to ensure long-term growth.
Having seven teams is good for the league’s schedule. Each team will play against every other team four times – two at home and two away. This will create a total of 24 games in the regular season.
With an odd number of teams, one team will have a bye each week. A bye means that the team doesn’t have to play that week, giving players rest and more flexibility, especially because soccer infrastructure like stadiums and training fields is still developing in Canada.
Currently, with six teams, the schedule is uneven. Some teams play more home games than others, which creates fairness concerns. The new format will balance the games better.
The league also wants to make sure that all teams, players, and fans have a positive experience. They are working on building policies that promote safety, fair play, and inclusion. This way, soccer can be a sport where everyone feels welcome.
The NSL has created an expansion committee that includes team owners, league officials, and other experts. They are also working with the Whitecap Sports Group (WSG), an investment firm based in Florida. WSG has helped find new investors for other teams and is now assisting the NSL.
WSG’s new women’s sports division, led by former professional soccer player Chelsee Washington, is supporting this project. The group is helping connect the league with potential investors who want to grow women’s sports.
Fans and communities are excited about the league’s growth. The upcoming championship game is scheduled for November 15, 2025, at Toronto’s BMO Field, and it’s expected to bring even more attention to women’s soccer.
The league’s focus on both local involvement and international investment shows that it wants to build a sustainable and exciting future for women’s sports in Canada.
There is no set date for when an eighth team will be added, but for now, the league is fully focused on finding the right location and investors for the seventh team. The goal is to create a balanced and inclusive environment that helps soccer grow across the country.
The NSL’s expansion plans not only aim to bring more games and players but also encourage communities to support women’s sports. It shows that soccer can bring people together, create opportunities, and inspire future generations of athletes.
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