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prairie premier league

bonivital prairie premier league

Press Release

The Manitoba Soccer Association (MSA) and Saskatchewan Soccer Association (SSA) today announced a new licensing agreement with Canadian Soccer Business (CSB) to launch the Prairies Premier League (PPL), which will join Canada’s national system of elite pro-am soccer competitions beginning this spring.

Set to kick off in May 2026, the Prairies Premier League will represent the highest level of domestic pro-am soccer in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, providing a clearly defined competitive environment for top players, clubs, and coaches across the region. Operating within the Premier Soccer Leagues Canada (PSLC) system — part of Canadian Soccer Business’s league portfolio — the league will apply a nationally aligned pro-am model while remaining grounded in regional leadership and local soccer communities.

Developed through collaboration between MSA and SSA, the Prairies Premier League will apply the competitive and development model proven nationally under the League1 brand to address a long-standing gap for athletes in smaller provinces seeking consistent, high-level competition beyond the youth game, while also supporting the development of coaches, referees, and soccer organizations across the region.

“The Prairies Premier League shows what can be achieved when we come together with a shared purpose,” said Steven Porter, Executive Director, Saskatchewan Soccer Association. “The league was built to address a clear need and will deliver a consistent, high-performance environment while serving as a central hub for the soccer community across the Prairies.”

The inaugural season will feature seven clubs spanning Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Northern Ontario: Saskatchewan EXCEL Program, Forza Soccer Academy, QC United, FC Manitoba, Bonivital Flames, Lucania FC, and Thunder Bay Chill.

“This league is the result of strong collaboration and leadership from our soccer communities, and we’re thankful for their commitment,” said Héctor Vergara, Executive Director, Manitoba Soccer Association. “Their investment extends far beyond matchday, helping elevate local talent and supporting the continued growth of the game throughout the Prairies.”

The launch of the Prairies Premier League coincides with a refresh across Canada’s existing system of pro-am competitions. Formerly known as League1 Canada, the system was today reintroduced as Premier Soccer Leagues Canada (PSLC), building on an already strong foundation as a credible developer of Canadian talent. This evolution reflects a broader strategy by CSB to align Canada’s domestic pathway with greater intention and clarity — both across its own league portfolio and in how the pro-am game connects with the wider professional and national soccer landscape.

Under the PSLC framework, the Prairies Premier League will join the Ontario Premier League, the Alberta Premier League, and the British Columbia Premier League as the provincial and regional leagues operating under the aligned branding and connected through the national system.

“This agreement reflects the strength of the pro-am model that already exists in Canada,” said James Johnson, Group CEO, Canadian Soccer Business. “The Prairies Premier League extends that model into a new region, creating meaningful opportunities for players and clubs while reinforcing alignment across the domestic pathway.”

The 2026 Prairies Premier League season will run from early May through mid-July, with a full competition schedule and additional operational details to be announced in the coming months.

The launch of the Prairies Premier League further reinforces the momentum of Premier Soccer Leagues Canada, as the national pro-am system continues to expand and connect community-based competition with higher levels of opportunity in the Canadian game.

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