The preliminary round draw for the 2025 TELUS Canadian Championship took place Thursday evening at the OneSoccer studios, unveiling an exciting set of matchups for the 15 participating clubs as they begin their quest for the prestigious Voyageurs’ Cup next season.
The 2025 edition marks the largest tournament in the competition’s history, featuring a diverse field of teams from across the country. For the first time, League1 Alberta will be represented by its inaugural champions, Edmonton Scottish United. Meanwhile, the champions from the other three League1 Canada divisions—TSS Rovers (League1 BC), FC Laval (Ligue1 Québec), and Scrosoppi FC (League1 Ontario)—will also compete, with Scrosoppi FC making its tournament debut.
All eight Canadian Premier League (CPL) clubs and the three Canadian Major League Soccer (MLS) teams will also participate. Notably, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, the defending champions aiming for a fourth consecutive title, have received a bye to the quarter-finals. However, fellow MLS sides Toronto FC and CF Montréal will begin their campaigns in the preliminary round alongside the other 13 teams.
This year’s draw followed a regionalized format, dividing teams into West and East draw pots based on their locations. Hosting rights for the preliminary round were awarded to the higher-seeded clubs according to Canada Soccer’s Club Ranking Index.
The matchups promise thrilling rivalries and new challenges:
Preliminary Round Fixtures
- Valour FC vs. TSS Rovers
- Pacific FC vs. Vancouver FC
- Cavalry FC vs. Edmonton Scottish United
- Atlético Ottawa vs. Scrosoppi FC
- York United FC vs. FC Laval
- Toronto FC vs. CF Montréal
- Forge FC vs. Halifax Wanderers FC
A subsequent draw will be held following the quarter-finals to determine the semi-final matchups. The complete tournament schedule, including venues and dates, is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
As the Canadian Championship continues to grow, the inclusion of new teams and the return of familiar faces highlight the evolution of the sport in Canada. Fans across the country can look forward to an action-packed tournament that celebrates both the diversity and competitiveness of Canadian soccer.
