Northern Super League adds seventh franchise in Winnipeg

The Northern Super League is headed to Manitoba.

Canada’s professional women’s soccer league is adding a seventh team in Winnipeg, the league announced on Tuesday.

Winnipeg will join the league in 2027, founded by women’s national team great Desiree Scott and coach Rob Gale, who will be chief sport officer.

“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,” Scott said in a statement.  

“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.”

NSL president Christina Litz told CBC Sports that the league wants to have eight teams by 2028.

“We know what impact having a pro women’s team has on inspiring the next-gen players and we have said from the beginning that we want our league to be a catalyst for Canadian talent across the country.”

The NSL currently includes Calgary Wild FC, Halifax Tides FC, Montreal Roses FC, Ottawa Rapid FC, AFC Toronto and Vancouver Rise FC.

Earlier this month, an international firm invested $30 million CAD into the league, which was founded by Canadian soccer great Diana Matheson.