February 20, 2025...A Movement Begins Now: AFC Toronto to Host Inaugural Match at BMO Field (from AFC Toronto news release)

 
A Movement Begins Now: AFC Toronto to Host Inaugural Match at BMO Field
NSL club partners with MLSE to mark historic milestone in Canadian sport

Toronto, ON (February 20, 2025) - AFC Toronto is thrilled to announce the city’s first professional 
women’s soccer club will launch its historic chapter on the grandest of stages. As part of a 
partnership with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), BMO Field will host the first official 
match in club history on April 19 at 4 p.m. ET.

The landmark event provides supporters across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond an
opportunity to witness the beginning of a legendary women’s sport movement inside a prestigious 
Canadian stadium after decades of dreaming.

AFC Toronto’s first match is slated to be a central fixture of the Northern Super League’s inaugural 
opening weekend.

The collaboration between AFC Toronto and MLSE is designed to inspire the next generation of 
athletes, coaches, supporters and industry leaders within the Toronto soccer community. In its 
inaugural season, AFC Toronto calls on all the dreamers, believers and go-getters, to rally behind
the city’s newest professional team this spring.

“This partnership represents extensive discussions and collaborative efforts, and we are proud to 
finally share this exciting news with the Toronto soccer community,” said Helena Ruken, AFC 
Toronto CEO. “MLSE and AFC Toronto aim to inspire and better our community through sport and 
we are proud to bring this dream to life at our inaugural game. Together, we are enhancing the 
landscape of women’s sports and encourage supporters to seize the opportunity to witness the 
beginning at BMO Field this April.”

Home of Major League Soccer club Toronto FC, BMO Field features a state-of-the-art facility that 
has successfully hosted numerous prestigious sporting events, including for both the Men’s and 
Women’s Canadian National Soccer Teams. Additionally, the venue is set to host six matches
during the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

Following the season opener, AFC Toronto will play its remaining home games for the 2025 NSL 
season at York Lions Stadium. 

“MLSE is proud to work together with AFC Toronto to mark this important moment and to debut the 
city’s first professional women’s soccer club at BMO Field in April,” said Nick Eaves, MLSE’s 
Chief Operating Officer. “We will continually look for ways to support the exciting growth of 
women’s professional sports to create opportunity for today’s athletes, and just as importantly, to 
inspire future generations of girls who dream of playing their respective sports at the professional 
level.”

AFC Toronto is committed to providing quality entertainment, fostering community engagement, 
and advocating for gender equity in Canadian sport, a commitment MLSE shares.

Additionally, this partnership serves as a foundation for AFC Toronto to pursue future 
collaborations with other leading organizations within the city. The club is eager to share more 
details and strengthen its relationships within Toronto’s professional sports landscape.

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Fans are encouraged to join the movement and buy their season membership which guarantees 
access to witness a pivotal moment in Canadian women’s soccer history at BMO Field. If fans 
want an exclusive pre-sale and first right to single tickets at BMO Field, then sign up for the AFC 
Toronto newsletter at https://www.afctoronto.ca/contact today.

To keep up with AFC Toronto’s exciting updates, follow the club on Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin
and TikTok.

About AFC Toronto
AFC Toronto is a founding club in the new Canadian professional women’s soccer league, the
Northern Super League. The club is gearing up to deliver a top-tier experience for players, staff, 
and supporters in spring 2025. AFC Toronto is committed to uniting the community and inspiring
young women and girls to lead, develop, and excel. The club’s purpose is to not just build a 
football club but to also create a platform for girls and women to achieve greatness on their terms.

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