The Northern Super League (NSL), Canada's inaugural professional women's soccer league, has made significant strides in expanding its reach by securing multi-year broadcast partnerships with major Canadian networks CBC/Radio-Canada, TSN, and RDS. These agreements, announced in June 2024, ensure that NSL matches will be accessible to fans nationwide in both official languages, marking a pivotal moment in the promotion of women's soccer in Canada.
Under these partnerships, TSN is set to air 20 regular-season games across its platforms, providing extensive coverage of the league's inaugural season. CBC will broadcast eight regular-season matches, further amplifying the league's visibility. Additionally, RDS will offer live French-language coverage of all Montreal Roses FC matches, catering to Francophone audiences and ensuring inclusive access to the games. Radio-Canada will also contribute by broadcasting four matches on ICI TÉLÉ and the ICI TOU.TV streaming platform.
To enhance accessibility, a 'Game of the Week' will be co-streamed simultaneously on CBC Gem and the NSL's official website, NSL.ca. Furthermore, 24 additional matches will be available through co-streaming on TSN+ and NSL.ca, ensuring fans have multiple avenues to follow the action throughout the season.
Strategic Partnerships Enhancing Visibility
In a move to extend its reach beyond Canadian borders, the NSL announced a multi-year media partnership with ESPN on April 7, 2025. This agreement allows ESPN+ to stream over 40 NSL matches during the inaugural season to audiences in the United States, starting with the opening match between Vancouver Rise FC and Calgary Wild FC at BC Place. NSL President Christina Litz expressed enthusiasm about introducing Canadian women's soccer to American viewers, highlighting the league's potential to elevate the sport and its athletes.
Corporate Support Bolstering Growth
The NSL's growth trajectory has been further supported by corporate partnerships, notably with BMO. Announced on April 9, 2025, BMO has joined as the Official Bank and Presenting Partner of NSL Broadcasts. This collaboration underscores BMO's commitment to fostering the development of women's soccer in Canada and ensures fans have access to high-quality coverage of NSL matches. Catherine Roche, BMO's Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, emphasized the bank's belief in the power of sport to build stronger communities across the country. Newswire
Implications for Women's Soccer in Canada
The establishment of these broadcast partnerships represents a monumental step forward for women's soccer in Canada. By securing coverage on prominent national networks and expanding into international markets, the NSL is poised to significantly enhance the visibility of the sport. This increased exposure is expected to inspire a new generation of female athletes and cultivate a broader fan base.
Diana Matheson, Founder of the NSL and former Canadian Women's National Team player, articulated the importance of these partnerships, stating that ensuring matches are available to Canadians is key to the long-term growth and viability of professional women's soccer. She emphasized that having major media outlets spotlight Canadian professional players is a significant win for fans and creates a lasting impact on women's sports in the country.
Looking Ahead: The Inaugural Season
The NSL is set to kick off its inaugural season on April 16, 2025, featuring six founding clubs: Halifax Tides FC, Montreal Roses FC, Ottawa Rapid FC, AFC Toronto, Calgary Wild FC, and Vancouver Rise FC. Each team will play a 25-game regular-season schedule, facing the other clubs five times. The top four teams will advance to the postseason, culminating in the championship final.
The opening match between Vancouver Rise FC and Calgary Wild FC at BC Place is highly anticipated, marking the beginning of a new era for women's professional soccer in Canada. Fans can expect a season filled with competitive matches, showcasing the talent and dedication of female athletes from across the country.Newswire+3All For XI+3Sportcal+3
Conclusion
The Northern Super League's successful negotiation of multi-year broadcast partnerships with CBC/Radio-Canada, TSN, RDS, and ESPN signifies a transformative moment for women's soccer in Canada. These collaborations not only ensure widespread accessibility to NSL matches but also reflect a broader commitment to elevating women's sports on national and international stages. As the league embarks on its inaugural season, the foundation laid by these partnerships promises to foster growth, inspire future athletes, and captivate soccer enthusiasts across North America.
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