Six clubs officially submitted their applications to join Project 8’s Canadian women’s professional soccer league on Thursday, providing the numbers required for launch in 2025.
Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary have already been named three of the teams, with the other half to be announced.
“An incredible group of individuals, who will be introducing themselves over the coming weeks, have stepped up as partners and owners. I am deeply humbled by the support we’ve received from leaders across Canada and throughout the soccer community,” said former Canadian national-team member Diana Matheson, the CEO and co-founder of Project 8.
Project 8 said league and club brands are expected to be unveiled in the coming months, while player signings and ticket pre-sales are slated to begin in the summer.
“Our league and its identity symbolize our collective ambition to elevate women’s soccer to new heights,” Matheson said.
WATCH | Toronto set to join Project 8 soccer league:
Diana Matheson, the CEO of Project 8, shares her excitement about a professional women’s soccer team coming to Toronto. Vancouver and Calgary have been previously announced as team locations.
The league was officially announced in December 2022, and Matheson said then that April 2025 was the goal for kickoff with an inaugural champion crowned some time in the fall.
Matheson, who scored the bronze medal-clinching goal at the 2012 Olympics, said she aimed to bring home about half of the over 100 Canadians currently playing abroad.
The franchise fee is $1 million with a need for an estimated $8 million to $10 million in total invested capital over the first five seasons in addition to necessary spending on infrastructure. Owners are buying a piece of the league as well as their own franchise.
Matheson is joined by Thomas Gilbert as the leaders of Project 8 Sports Inc.
