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2h ago

AFC Toronto Hosts Vancouver Rise for NSL’s First Diana B. Matheson Cup Today

The final caps a debut season that drew more than 275,000 fans and about $30 million in revenue as the league emphasizes it is still investing for long-term growth.

Diana Matheson, left, co-founder and chief growth officer of the Northern Super League, and NSL president Christina Litz pose in Toronto, on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, next to the Diana B. Matheson Cup, which will be awarded after Saturday's championship game between AFC Toronto and Vancouver Rise FC.
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Overview

  • Kickoff is 2 p.m. ET at Toronto’s BMO Field, with pregame coverage at 1:30 p.m. ET on CBC, TSN, ICI Télé, CBC Gem and ESPN+.
  • AFC Toronto topped the regular-season table at 16-6-3 and reached the final after a 6-1 semifinal aggregate over Montreal, while Vancouver advanced via a penalty shootout against Ottawa.
  • The sides split five meetings in 2025 with one draw, and Vancouver earned a win at BMO Field, where Toronto enters today 0-2-0 without a goal.
  • League leaders report more than 275,000 tickets sold and roughly $30 million in Year 1 revenue, saying the NSL is not yet profitable and prioritizing future broadcast-rights income.
  • NSL executives highlight player development, noting seven call-ups to Canadian national-team camps and Vancouver’s Holly Ward becoming the league’s first player to score for Canada.