Overview

• League co-founder Diana Matheson says the NSL will pursue a single expansion club in 2027, stepping back from an earlier idea of adding two, with no timetable set for an eighth team.
• The search centers on Central and Western Canada to improve geographic balance and player pathways, with the focus running from Manitoba to British Columbia.
• Ownership interest includes groups from the United States and Europe, and an expansion committee with Whitecap Sports Group is vetting prospective buyers.
• Investment expectations have risen from the initial US$1 million franchise fee and an estimated C$8–10 million over five seasons, though updated figures were not disclosed.
• A seven-team format is expected to feature 24 games per club with balanced home-and-away meetings and a weekly bye, easing scheduling and venue constraints seen in the current six-team, 25-game slate.