July 15 – Winnipeg, Manitoba, will be the location of the seventh club franchise in Canada’s top tier women’s league. The club will begin play in the 2027 season.
Founded by former Canadian international Desiree Scott, who will be the club’s Vice President, Community & Player Experience, and Rob Gale, who will serve as Chief Sporting Officer, the club ownership structure includes a 30% local ownership stake composed of community partners and local private investors. Further partners are being sought.
“It is an honour to bring professional women’s soccer of this calibre to Winnipeg and to join a trailblazing organization like the Northern Super League,” said Desiree Scott, Vice President, Community & Player Experience. “As a former player, I know exactly what an elite sporting environment looks like and what athletes need to succeed. We are building a club rooted in the community, backed by a premier development pathway, and ready to compete from our very first whistle in 2027.”
Winnipeg joins founding NSL clubs Calgary Wild FC, Halifax Tides FC, Montréal Roses FC, Ottawa Rapid FC, AFC Toronto, and Vancouver Rise FC. An eight franchise is expected to be awarded for the 2027 season.
The NSL recently secured a C$20 million ($14.1 million) investment for a minority stake that values the league at C$85 million ($60 million), from private equity firm Apex. Apex has an option to increase its investment to C$30 million ($21.1 million).
The NSL has just completed its inaugural season with about 275,000 supporters attending the league’s 80 matches, placing it among the best-attended women’s leagues in the world, ahead of some of Europe’s big women’s leagues including Spain’s Liga F and France’s Première Ligue.
The NSL said its league-wide revenues surpassed CAD$30 million before any media rights income had been realised.
Winnipeg has had more than 3,000 supporters sign a petition indicating their support for the new club, and has launched a season ticket deposit campaign for $50/seat.
No stadium or training facilities for the club have officially been announced but publicly owned Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex is in line for a $600,000 grant from the City of Winnipeg to help the Winnipeg Soccer Federation install new artificial turf and lighting. Reports are that the team’s ownership group is funding a broader upgrade to the facility.
“Winnipeg is a passionate city that thrives on an underdog mentality, and we are here to destroy any doubt about what this community deserves,” added Rob Gale, chief sporting officer and co-founder.
“Having coached at both the international level and in the NWSL (Portland Thorns), I see the massive momentum behind women’s sports right now. We aren’t just building a team, we are constructing a spectacular fan experience and a lasting soccer legacy that will rival any major city. We need the entire community to dig deep, show up, and help us write this next chapter.”
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