The Northern Super League (NSL) is set to begin its second season on Friday, with the defending champion Vancouver Rise hosting AFC Toronto in a rematch of last November's final. After a successful inaugural campaign that saw over 275,000 tickets sold and an average of nearly 4,000 fans per game, the league is now focused on building a lasting legacy.
From Startup to Stable League
Diana Matheson, the league's founder and chief growth officer, said the first season was all about launching the NSL. Now, the goal is to accelerate growth. “We finished the foundation, and now it's about accelerating growth for the future,” she said.
NSL president Christina Litz acknowledged the challenges of starting a new league. “We were truly a startup in all senses of the word last year. You're definitely building the plane while you're flying it,” she said.
Impressive First Season Numbers
The NSL's six teams each played 25 games in 2025, starting with the Vancouver Rise's 1-0 victory over the Calgary Wild in front of more than 14,000 fans at B.C. Place. More than 275,000 tickets were sold over the season, and over 1,000,000 people tuned into the November final.
Litz said these numbers show there is a market for women's soccer in Canada, but there is still room to grow. “We definitely want to see attendance get to some of the big men's pro league attendance. But we believe that as we continue to grow, that is achievable,” she said.
On-Field Competition and Player Movement
The NSL's first season was competitive, with an average of 2.6 goals per match and 85% of games decided by two goals or less. A total of 65 players scored during the season.
Several players moved to other leagues in the off-season, including former Toronto midfielder Emma Regan, who was transferred to the NWSL's Denver Summit, and Vancouver standout Holly Ward, who joined the Seattle Reign. Matheson said seeing players move to other leagues is a “great sign of things to come.”
“The reality is, soccer is a global market, and all the top leagues in the world are buying and selling leagues. And that's what we are, too, at the NSL,” she said.
Developing Talent and Infrastructure
Matheson highlighted the emergence of players like DB Pridham, who earned a spot on the national team after strong performances with the Ottawa Rapid. She said the NSL has proven the depth of Canadian talent.
Litz noted that improving soccer infrastructure in Canada is a priority. The federal government announced up to $5.45 million in support for the league, which is being used by clubs to improve facilities.
Building an Industry Beyond Soccer
For Matheson, the NSL's mission extends beyond the field. “The building of this league was always about a lot more than just soccer. It was about creating the whole industry around it in women's pro sport and creating opportunities for players and refs and women in business and sports science and sport media,” she said.
The league has already announced plans to add a seventh team in 2027.
