CPL SEASON PREVIEW: 1 BIG QUESTION each club faces in 2026 👀
After a long off-season, the Canadian Premier League is finally back. The 2026 season gets underway on Saturday, April 4, with a heavyweight tilt between reigning CPL Shield winners Forge FC and 2025 champions Atlético Ottawa.
If you're just tuning back in, there are some major differences in the league this year.
Teams will be decked out in brand new hummel kits, and kicking a new Voit ball. Plus, don't forget the league's entirely new visual identity.
Here at CPLsoccer.com, we've got you covered with full season previews for all eight clubs (linked below).
Plus, here's a quick refresher on some things you might have missed.
What's new in the CPL for 2026?
As mentioned, each team has new kits made by hummel, and there's a new Voit ball. The league's emblem and colours are brand new as well.
There's a new club set to kick off this year: FC Supra du Québec, the league's first team in the Montreal area are bringing a heavily community-focused attitude to the league, with a squad built entirely of Quebecois players.
Meanwhile, Inter Toronto Football Club — formerly York United FC — will debut their new look and name on April 11 at York Lions Stadium.
Even the game itself will be a little different in 2026. Announced earlier this week, the CPL this year is collaborating with FIFA to test out a new offside law. The 'daylight' rule, explained in further detail here, might promote more entertaining football by giving attackers an advantage, which could mean more goals.
FIFA is trialing a NEW OFFSIDE in #CPLsoccer 🇨🇦 this season 👀
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) April 2, 2026
And we're also getting a new form of video replay called Football Video Support, where coaches can challenge plays by showing the referee a card 🎥
Here's everything you NEED to know ✨ pic.twitter.com/NxsD9378IT
Plus, Football Video Support will be introduced to support referees. Head coaches will now get two video review requests per game, which they can use to send the referee to the screen for decisions on goals, penalty kicks, red cards and mistaken identity. If the coach's challenge is successful, he keeps retains the review request.
Lastly — chronologically, at least — is the postseason. This year's CPL Playoffs will return to a four-team format, where first place takes on fourth and second plays third in two-legged semifinals. The CPL Final will continue to be a one-match title bout, hosted by the higher-seeded team.
When you tune into a CPL match this year, you'll no doubt see lots you haven't seen before, including a few familiar faces in different colours.
Speaking of tuning in...
How do I watch the CPL?
If you're able, heading to a stadium is always the best option.
As always, every single CPL match will be broadcast live on OneSoccer.
This year, however, more games than ever will be televised across the country on cable networks. The CPL has expanded its network of broadcast partners, meaning you'll be able to watch some matches on CBC and CBC Gem, as well as TSN, and in French on TVA Sports and RDS.
CPL on TSN Match of the Week coverage will continue with 28 games throughout the year, and select regular season matches will be on CBC — including the season opener on April 4 between Forge FC and Atlético Ottawa. CBC Gem will also air weekly matches.
French-language broadcasting, anchored by FC Supra, will feature 18 matches on TVA Sports' linear television network, with a further 10 live on RDS.ca and the RDS app.
What do I need to know about my team?
Whichever club you're following this year, there's a lot to catch up on. Three captains have moved, and a whole lot of goalkeepers are occupying new nets in 2026.
Here at CPLSoccer.com, we've got a full-length preview for all eight clubs. Here's what you should know about every team, from the west coast to the east.
Pacific FC
The Tridents look to bounce back after missing the playoffs in 2025. With a few reinforcements in midfield and defence, can James Merriman and co. return to the top half of the table and bring postseason soccer back to Vancouver Island?
PACIFIC FC SEASON PREVIEW: CLICK HERE
Vancouver FC
After finishing bottom of the table but going on a Cinderella run to the Canadian Championship final, last year was a roller coaster for Vancouver. This year, fresh off a debut in the Concacaf Champions Cup, head coach Martin Nash begins his first full year at the helm. Is this the year the Eagles soar into the top four for the first time?
VANCOUVER FC SEASON PREVIEW: CLICK HERE
Cavalry FC
The Cavs have been to three straight CPL Finals, but the memory of losing in Ottawa last fall will sting. Tommy Wheeldon Jr. has loaded up his already-stacked squad with a few big names like Nathan Ingham and Amer Didić, with an eye on silverware in 2026.
CAVALRY FC SEASON PREVIEW: CLICK HERE
Forge FC
For the first time ever, Forge did not play in the CPL Final last season. They did, however, with the CPL Shield as the best side in the regular season. This year, they might look a little different with longtime stars like Alex Achinioti-Jönsson, David Choinière and Alessandro Hojabrpour leaving the club, but the goal remains exactly the same: Win absolutely everything.
FORGE FC SEASON PREVIEW: CLICK HERE
Inter Toronto FC
The Inter Toronto area begins in 2026, as the club introduces its new identity and colours to the Greater Toronto Area. The change goes well beyond a new logo, though; Inter Toronto have brought in some huge stars to help them contend immediately. Atlético Ottawa and Forge fans, look away: former Player of the Year Ollie Bassett and ex-Forge dynamo Béni Badibanga have arrived to form one of the CPL's most potent attacks.
INTER TORONTO SEASON PREVIEW: CLICK HERE
Atlético Ottawa
Last season, the North Star Cup went to the nation's capital for the first time. Now, reigning champs Ottawa are desperate to retain their title. It'll be a tough job for the group, who have lost CPL Final MVP David Rodríguez, 2025 Player of the Year Sam Salter, and captain Nathan Ingham. However, coach Diego Mejía is as confident as ever that they can go back-to-back.
ATLÉTICO OTTAWA SEASON PREVIEW: CLICK HERE
FC Supra du Québec
La PLC est arrivée finalement au Québec ! The league's newest club, based out of the Montreal area, will kick off in 2026. They have assembled a fully Quebecois roster, including familiar CPL stars like David Choinière and Sean Rea, and they'll be aiming to compete for a playoff spot immediately.
FC SUPRA SEASON PREVIEW: CLICK HERE
APERÇU DE LA SAISON, FC SUPRA : CLIQUEZ-ICI
Halifax Wanderers FC
The Wanderers have a new man at the helm in 2026, as Vanni Sartini takes over as head coach. A young Halifax team will be led by some familiar veterans, as well as marquee newcomers like Marco Carducci and Marcus Godinho. The goal this year will be to return to the playoffs, and bank their first ever home postseason win.
