The Canadian Premier League kicks off its sixth season this weekend. A look at the league:
DEFENDING CHAMPION: Hamliton's Forge FC, which has won the title four of the league's five seasons to date.
TEAMS: Pacific FC, Vancouver FC, Cavalry FC, Valour FC, Forge FC, York United FC, Atletico Ottawa, Halifax Wanderers FC.
SCHEDULE: Teams play a 28-game schedule, 14 home and 14 away, featuring four meetings with the seventh other sides. The regular season wraps up Oct. 19 with five teams making the playoffs,
ATTENDANCE: Average attendance was 3,389 in 2023 regular season. Halifax topped the league, averaging nearly 6,000 fans per match at Wanderers Grounds.
SALARY CAP: The league's player compensation budget has risen approximately eight per cent to a maximum spend of $1,212,500 with a minimum requirement of $750,000 (with several built-in ways to reduce cap hits). Clubs have to carry a minimum roster of 20 players.
RULE CHANGES: Just some tweaks, including eliminating the need for teams to ensure that at least half of its international players — clubs are allowed seven imports — be under the age of 23.
---
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 12, 2024
The Canadian Press
