Was canceled in 2020
Canada’s highest domestic club competition the Canadian Championship returns in August after the 2020 competition was canceled due to COVID-19. The tournament includes the three Canadian Major League Soccer clubs, all eight Canadian Premier League teams, and the champions from League1 Ontario (L10) and Premiere Ligue de Soccer du Quebec (PLSQ). The winner qualifies for the Concacaf Champions League.
“We are excited to see the return of the Canadian Championship in 2021 with an updated brand identity and the return of the 13-team format that makes the competition truly and uniquely Canadian,” said Canada Soccer president Dr. Nick Bontis in a club statement. “As we turn the corner on the COVID-19 pandemic, we look forward to returning to stadiums filled with fans cheering their clubs on in pursuit of a chance to play in the Concacaf Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup competitions.”
Davies, David, Larin & Co.: The most valuable CanMNT players
The tournament will kick off on August 15 when FC Edmonton will host Alberta rivals Cavalry FC in the preliminary round. The preliminary round will also include MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps, who will face Pacific FC on Vancouver Island in the first-ever BC Derby between the two sides.
Full schedule:
Preliminary Round (15-26 August 2021)
Match 1: Sunday 15 Aug – FC Edmonton v Cavalry FC
Match 2: Thursday 26 Aug – Pacific FC v Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Match 3: Saturday 21 Aug – York United FC v Masters Futbol Academy
Match 4: Tuesday 17 Aug – HFX Wanderers v AS Blainville
Match 5: Saturday 21 Aug – Atlético Ottawa v Valour FC
Quarter-Final Round (14-22 September 2021)
Match 6: Date TBD Toronto FC v Winner Match 3
Match 7: Date TBD Winner Match 1 v Winner Match 2
Match 8: Date TBD Forge FC v Winner Match 4
Match 9 Date TBD CF Montreal v Winner Match 5
Semi-Final Round (28-29 September 2021)
Match 10: Date TBD Winner Match 6 v Winner Match 7
Match 11: Date TBD Winner Match 8 v Winner Match 9
2021 Canadian Championship Final (19-27 October 2021)
Match 12: Date TBD Winner Match 10 v Winner Match 11
#CanChamp pic.twitter.com/DNOfapARE8
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) July 19, 2021
