A new chapter for professional soccer in Quebec has begun.
The Canadian Premier League (CPL) announced this week that the Greater Montreal Area will be home to the league’s first Quebec-based team, set to debut in April 2026. The announcement marks a major milestone for the sport in the province and for the CPL, which is currently in its seventh season.
The club’s name, crest and colours were revealed Wednesday night during a launch event at Complexe Multi-Sports de Laval.
The team will play its home matches at Stade Boréale in Laval, the same venue used by Roses FC of the Northern Super League.
The Canadian Premier League (CPL) announced this week that the Greater Montreal Area will be home to the league’s first Quebec-based team, set to debut in April 2026. (Courtesy: Facebook/Canadian Premier League)
A homegrown vision for Quebec soccer
The new CPL team will bring professional men’s soccer to Quebec for the first time and aims to offer a clear pathway for local players to rise through the ranks.
“Quebec is producing world-class talent, and with the arrival of a Canadian Premier League team in the province, we now have a platform that will allow local players to shine, inspire the next generations, and compete at the highest level in the country,” said Rocco Placentino, co-founder and president of the club.
“The club will be made up of homegrown players from Quebec, with a mission to showcase their talent.”
The Canadian Premier League (CPL) announced this week that the Greater Montreal Area will be home to the league’s first Quebec-based team, set to debut in April 2026. (Courtesy: Facebook/Canadian Premier League)
Placentino, a former Canadian international and Montreal Impact midfielder, will lead the new franchise. A key figure in Quebec’s soccer scene, he also helped build CS Saint-Laurent into one of the top development programs in Ligue1 Québec.
“The objective of this team is to use players from the province of Quebec and put them on a stage to show their talent in this league of CPL,” he said.
“For us, it’s important that these players on this team are going to play with La Grinta, like my friend Jason Di Tullio always say back in the day, and it’s a team that’s going to have perseverance and a team that’s never going to give up and bleed and sweat on this field.”
Local roots and national vision
The new CPL club will operate out of Stade Boréale, where it will also run its training and front-office operations. The venue was originally designed for Montreal’s women’s professional team and is part of a growing sports hub in Laval.
“Moving into Quebec represents more than adding a new CPL market; it’s a strategic cornerstone of our coast-to-coast vision for Canadian professional soccer,” said James Johnson, group CEO of Canadian Soccer Business.
“Quebec’s strong economy and passionate sports community create unparalleled opportunities for investment, sponsorship, and media reach, strengthening our national footprint, uniting diverse audiences, and ensuring Canadian soccer is positioned to thrive well beyond 2026.”
A diverse and experienced ownership group
The club is backed by a group of investors with deep ties to both the region and the sport.
Matt Rizzetta, founder of Underdog Global Partners and managing partner of North Sixth Group, will serve as club chairman. He highlighted the importance of strong partnerships when explaining the group’s decision to enter the Quebec market.
“We decided to move forward with this project, most importantly because we found incredible, incredible partners, operating partners,” said Rizzetta.
“When I met Rocco the first time, Rocco Placentino, we saw somebody who was very uniquely qualified to operate and manage a club here in Quebec. He knows the local talent pool better than anybody. He has an incredible network. And at the end of the day, you’re always betting on people.”
The Canadian Premier League (CPL) announced this week that the Greater Montreal Area will be home to the league’s first Quebec-based team, set to debut in April 2026. (Courtesy: Facebook/Canadian Premier League)
Other key members of the ownership group include:
Angelo Pasto, president of Stanford Properties Group and co-owner of several international sports properties, including Campobasso FC and Brooklyn FC.
Stéphane Tétrault, Quebec entrepreneur and toy industry leader, known for his work with brands like EB Games Canada, Mastermind Toys and McFarlane Toys.
Jean-François Chenail, founder of Chenail Import Export and a lifelong soccer supporter with family ties to the game.
CPL expands its national reach
The new team will be the CPL’s first expansion into Quebec and adds another region to the league’s coast-to-coast footprint.
Founded in 2019, the Canadian Premier League is Canada’s top-tier domestic men’s soccer league and aims to give Canadian players a professional platform to develop and compete. The league is sanctioned by both Concacaf and FIFA.