Wikipedia - Canadian Championship

The Canadian Championship (French: Championnat canadien) is an annual soccer tournament contested by Canadian professional teams. The winner is awarded the Voyageurs Cup and a berth in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. It is contested by Major League Soccer sides Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and CF Montréal, eight Canadian Premier League sides, and the champions of League1 Ontario, League1 British Columbia, and Ligue1 Québec. The tournament is organized by the Canadian Soccer Association and has been broadcast on OneSoccer since 2019.

History

The Canadian Championship is a domestic cup competition organized by the Canadian Soccer Association. The championship determines one of Canada's entries in the annual CONCACAF Champions Cup. Until the creation of the Canadian Premier League in 2019, all fully professional Canadian soccer teams played in United States-based leagues. Prior to the creation of the official competition in 2008, there was no domestic competition to determine the best Canadian professional team (as Canada Soccer's Challenge Trophy only crowned the best amateur team). Though a notable attempt was conducted by the Canadian Soccer League through the Open Canada Cup, which ultimately managed to attract professional and amateur clubs from British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec. The tournament was dissolved in 2008 after the creation of the Canadian Championship.

An unofficial Canadian Champion determined in the same manner as 2008–2010, a home-and-away series with the games taken from USL First Division (USL-1) regular season league games, was awarded by the Canadian national teams' supporters group, The Voyageurs. This unofficial Canadian Championship became less legitimate when Toronto was awarded a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise to start play in 2007 in the USSF Division 1 MLS league above the USSF Division 2 USL-1 league. Toronto's USL-1 team self relegated, while the other two Canadian professional soccer teams did not play meaningful games against the new MLS team in 2007.

For the 2008–09 season, CONCACAF changed their eight team FIFA Club World Cup qualification tournament from a two-legged aggregate goals knockout elimination format, named the CONCACAF Champions Cup, to a format mirroring the UEFA Champions League with a play-in round, a group stage, and lastly a two-leg aggregate score knockout format for the final rounds. The format change for the 2008–09 CONCACAF Champions League provided the opportunity to expand the number of qualifying teams from different countries, and Canada was awarded a single entry in the play-in round preceding the group stage. The year 2008 was the first time a Canadian entry had been awarded by CONCACAF since 1992, and the first time a Canadian team participated since 1976. To award the new Canadian entry, the CSA created a new competition consisting of a home-and-away round-robin series between the three fully professional Canadian teams: Montreal Impact, Toronto FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps. The 2008 Canadian Championship was contested between May and July 2008 and won by the Montreal Impact. As the Canadian champions, Montreal qualified for the 2008–09 CONCACAF Champions League.

The 2009 Canadian Championship's format and participants were the same, contested by the three clubs in May and June 2009. It was closely contended by Toronto and Vancouver and won by the former via goal differential in the tournament's final game against the defending champions, Montreal, giving the Toronto franchise its first ever trophy and a spot in the qualifying round of the 2009–10 CONCACAF Champions League. Toronto repeated as champions in the 2010 competition, qualifying for the 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League. Toronto won it for the fourth consecutive season in the 2012 competition.

In 2011, with the start of a fourth fully professional Canadian soccer team, FC Edmonton, the competition was changed from the home-and-away round robin series to a double-leg aggregate score knockout cup format with the two MLS teams seeded first and second, and NASL teams seeded third and fourth based on league standings of the previous year and the USSF tiering of Division 1 and Division 2. This format mitigated competitive concerns regarding already eliminated teams and the number of additional (extra to their regular league) games each team would be required to play during a season.

On June 6, 2016, Canadian Soccer Association general secretary Peter Montopoli told TSN that plans were well under way to expand the tournament to include an access point for any team in Canada. He said that he expected the expansion to take place for 2017. His statement seemed to confirm other reports saying similar.[] On March 9, 2017, Canada Soccer Association announced that from the 2018 edition the winners of the League1 Ontario and Première ligue de soccer du Québec would compete.

In January 2019, a new five-round format was announced to include the seven teams of the newly formed Canadian Premier League, bringing the total number of teams competing to 13. In 2020, with the dissolution of Ottawa Fury FC, a modified four-round tournament was announced featuring 12 teams, the first contraction in the competition's history. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 edition was instead held between two teams qualified through league play, with the top Canadian MLS team meeting the CPL winners.

Beginning in 2023, the league winner of League1 British Columbia joined the tournament as a competitor. They were also joined by new Canadian Premier League club, Vancouver FC.

In the 2023 preliminary round, TSS Rovers of League1 British Columbia became the first semi-pro team to advance in the tournament against a professional team. They defeated Canadian Premier League side Valour FC 3–1 to reach the quarterfinal.

The Canada Championships is a highly anticipated soccer tournament held annually in Canada. It brings together teams from various regions across the country to compete for the prestigious title of Canadian champions.

This tournament showcases the best talent in Canadian soccer, featuring both professional and amateur teams. It serves as a platform for players to demonstrate their skills and for clubs to showcase their abilities on a national stage.

The Canada Championships is known for its intense competition and thrilling matches. The tournament format includes knockout rounds, where teams face off in a series of matches to advance to the next stage. The final match is a culmination of weeks of intense competition, with the two best teams battling it out for the championship title.

The tournament not only promotes the sport of soccer but also fosters a sense of national pride and unity. It brings together fans from all over the country, creating an electric atmosphere in the stadiums. Supporters passionately cheer for their favorite teams, creating an unforgettable experience for both players and spectators.

In addition to the on-field action, the Canada Championships also offers various off-field activities and events. These include fan zones, where supporters can engage in interactive games and activities, as well as opportunities to meet players and coaches. The tournament also provides a platform for community engagement, with initiatives aimed at promoting youth development and inclusivity in soccer.

The Canada Championships is a celebration of Canadian soccer, showcasing the country's talent and passion for the sport. It is a must-attend event for soccer enthusiasts, offering thrilling matches, a vibrant atmosphere, and a chance to witness the crowning of the Canadian champions.