The first overall team qualifies directly for the CPL Finals, while the second and third teams in the standings play in a single-game playoff to qualify.

On multiple occasions, league commissioner David Clanachan stated his goal of having promotion and relegation in the Canadian soccer league system as more teams join the league.

The two-legged knockout format guarantees each team one home and one away match in the tournament. In the edition, CPL teams entered in the first and second qualifying rounds.

As part of the expanded format begun in , the CPL club enters the tournament in the preliminary round, played in July. Eight clubs compete in the Canadian Premier League, seven of whom competed in the inaugural season.

CPL commissioner David Clanachan has, on numerous occasions, confirmed the league's plans to expand gradually up to 16 clubs in Clanachan has also stated that the biggest issue for potential expansion teams is a lack of facilities.

It had been speculated that then-existing USL Championship side Ottawa Fury FC would join the league for its or season; [64] [65] speculation fuelled by the Fury's acquisitions of Canadian players prior to the season.

In April , commissioner David Clanachan said that the league was looking at implementing a club-based structure for the Canadian Premier League, rather than a franchise-based system like in Major League Soccer.

On January 10, , David Clanachan, former president and chief operating officer of Tim Hortons , was named as the first commissioner of the league.

Having already worked with the league for over a year, Beirne took on the role of managing the day-to-day league operations.

The Canadian Premier League uses a salary cap. The league also has several other rules to give Canadian players more opportunities.

This includes a minimum of six Canadian starters per game and a limit of seven foreign nationals per team. Additionally, three of the domestic players must be under the age of 21 and play at least 1, combined minutes per season.

Given the limit, most teams opt to carry only two goalkeepers, however, teams may sign an emergency goalkeeper, who does not count to the roster limit, when necessary.

On August 27, , the CPL announced that it would hold a series of open tryouts in eight cities across Canada for players 16 and older.

Drafted student-athletes are able to play for CPL teams in the spring and summer, and return to their university team by August 15, thereby preserving their eligibility.

The Canadian Premier League has used a mix of existing, built for purpose, and upgraded stadiums, many of which are shared with other teams.

York Lions Stadium York9 FC and Westhills Stadium Pacific FC are both pre-existing stadiums that were upgraded in capacity before the season, and are shared with rugby union teams.

FC Edmonton continues to use Clarke Stadium. York9 FC have announced plans to build a modular, wooden, 15, seat stadium in York Region, within the next three years.

On February 20, , it was announced that Mediapro had acquired the broadcast rights to the league. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Canadian professional soccer league.

See also: List of foreign CPL players. See also: List of Canadian Premier League stadiums. Main article: Canadian Premier League records and statistics.

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League champions also won the Open Canada Cup , i. Toronto Olympians.