Winnipeg NSL team

Winnipeg NSL
FoundedJuly 14, 2026 (July 14, 2026)
GroundRalph Cantafio Soccer Complex
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Co-founders
ManagerTBA
LeagueNorthern Super League
Websitewpgnsl.ca

Winnipeg NSL is the placeholder name of a professional women's soccer club based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, that will compete in the Northern Super League (NSL), the top women's flight of the Canadian soccer league system. The team will be the seventh NSL franchise, and the first expansion club since league's establishment in 2025, contesting their inaugural season in 2027.

History

In 2025, Valour FC, Winnipeg's men's professional soccer team folded after seven seasons in the Canadian Premier League.[1][2] Also in 2025, the NSL announced it had launched an expansion process, considering locations in Central and Western Canada, with a targeted entry date of 2027.[3][4]

In early 2026, Winnipeg-born former Canadian international, who played in the NSL for Ottawa Rapid, Desiree Scott, and former head coach of Valour FC Rob Gale told media they were working to bring a pro women's franchise to Winnipeg.[5][6] On July 14, 2026, the league announced that the city had been awarded the seventh NSL franchise, with Scott and Gale announced as co-founders and that they would be part of the club's backroom setup.[7][8][9][10]

CBC reported that the team would play their home games at the Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex. Although the current capacity is only 2,000, the city council is supporting upgrades to the venue as a soccer-dedicated alternative to Princess Auto Stadium, which had hosted Valour.[2][10]

Identity

As of August 2026, the club's name, crest, and colours are yet to be announced.[8]

Organization

As of August 22, 2026
Executive
Vice president, community and player experience Canada Desiree Scott
Chief sporting officer England Rob Gale

References

  1. ↑ Allen, Taylor (November 21, 2025). "After seven seasons, Winnipeg's Valour FC is ceasing operations". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  2. 1 2 Schroeder, Lara (July 14, 2026). "Winnipeg has a new pro soccer team. Can the women last longer than the men?". CBC. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  3. ↑ Silverman, Alex (July 19, 2026). "Northern Super League launches expansion process for 2027 season". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  4. ↑ Hewitt, Thomas (November 14, 2025). "Matheson tabs 2027 for NSL expansion". Canadian Soccer Daily. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Decorated footy veterans Scott, Gale spearheading push for Winnipeg NSL club". Winnipeg Free Press. April 23, 2026. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  6. ↑ Wertman, Kimberly Rio (January 29, 2026). "Soccer stars eyeing Winnipeg for NSL expansion team". CTVNews. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  7. ↑ Ahmed, Shireen (July 14, 2026). "Winnipeg expansion team, led by Desiree Scott, set to become NSL's 7th franchise". CBC. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  8. 1 2 "Northern Super League Awards Seventh Franchise To Winnipeg For 2027 Season". Winnipeg. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  9. ↑ Hamilton, Jeff (July 14, 2026). "Desiree Scott brings pro women's soccer to Winnipeg with NSL expansion club". The Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  10. 1 2 "Opinion: A team — and league — of our own". Winnipeg Free Press. July 20, 2026. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.