CPL Expands To Langley

Any time sport takes on an expansion it’s not just good for the team or league, but more so for the area and the youth who live in the specific area.

Earlier in the day there was a press conference held at the Langley Events Centre which Sportswave reporter attended for the announcement indicating that Professional soccer will officially kick-off next spring. 

This will be the official debut of the newest franchise in the Canadian Premier League’s ninth club.

The CPL announced Vancouver, Saskatchewan, and Windsor were chosen as expansion locations for the professional soccer league in November of 2021 and on April 13th.

Locally it was announced that Vancouver 2023 will debut next year and will be utilizing Willoughby Community Park as the soccer club’s home turf and also the home turf for the Langley United Soccer Association

The team is owned by SixFive Sports & Entertainment LP (SixFive), a Canadian-based investment fund. “We are very excited to announce our home field with the Township of Langley and to bring the Canadian Premier League to Langley Events Centre,” said Rob Friend, President of Vancouver 2023. 

“This partnership allows our continued commitment to invest in local communities, and we are ready to serve the Fraser Valley with an exciting and intimate professional soccer experience.” The professional soccer league has teams from coast-to-coast and serves as a pathway for players to develop and showcase their skills while helping to grow the game and build support for the sport.

 “We are thrilled to welcome the Township of Langley and Metro Vancouver into the CPL family,” said Glen Johnson, Executive Vice President, Canadian Premier League. “The popularity and excitement surrounding soccer in Canada has never been greater. Having a Canadian professional club playing at Willoughby Community Park will be a key driver in the development of Canadian talent in the region. It will also open the door to many new and exciting opportunities for the region’s passionate soccer community.” 

“The Township of Langley is pleased to welcome Vancouver 2023. Sports help us create healthy and successful communities at Willoughby Community Park and will give residents the opportunity to see professional soccer close to home and can help inspire youth players to take up the sport,” said Mayor Jack Froese. 

For more information on the team, visit canpl.ca/vancouver2023. The league’s matches are broadcast exclusively via the CPL’s media partner, 

One Soccer and are available on OneSoccer.ca, Telus (channel 980) and FuboTV. 

About the CPL The CPL was founded in 2017 and launched two years later with seven teams:

 Cavalry FC (Foothills County, Alta.), FC Edmonton (Edmonton, Alta.), Forge FC (Hamilton, Ont.), HFX Wanderers FC (Halifax, Nova Scotia), Pacific FC (Langford, B.C.), Valour FC (Winnipeg, Man.) and York United FC (Toronto, Ont.). Atletico Ottawa (Ottawa, Ont.) joined the league in 2020.

Thanks to Gary Ahuja for the press release.