The Northern Super League’s inaugural season is coming to a close this Saturday at Toronto’s BMO Field after seven months of exciting action. Co-founder Diana Matheson expressed her amazement at how quickly the season has passed and her anticipation for the upcoming championship game between AFC Toronto and Vancouver Rise FC.

With the Grey Cup scheduled for the following day in Winnipeg, this weekend promises to be a celebration of Canadian sports. Matheson aims to fill the lower bowl at BMO Field for the championship match, with favorable weather conditions expected.

AFC Toronto, leading the regular-season standings with a record of 16-6-3, will face off against Vancouver Rise FC, who finished third with an 11-8-6 record. The teams have had a balanced rivalry throughout the season, each winning two games and drawing one in their five encounters.

The league’s success in its debut season has been a testament to the strong support it has garnered, with over 275,000 tickets sold in 2025 to fans from 19 different countries. Matheson expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming positive response from players and fans, emphasizing the league’s commitment to growing women’s professional sports in Canada.

Looking ahead, the league is already planning to expand by adding a seventh team in 2027, focusing on Central and Western Canada. International interest in the league is growing, with potential investors recognizing Canada as a promising market for women’s sports.

As the Northern Super League continues to make strides in women’s soccer, Matheson remains hopeful that the upcoming 2026 World Cup will further boost the sport’s infrastructure in the country. The culmination of the season will be marked by the presentation of the Diana B. Matheson Cup to the championship-winning team, a moment that Matheson acknowledges will be surreal until it unfolds on Saturday.