| Date | R | Home v Away | - |
|---|
Teams
Vaughan Azzurri
Sigma FC
North Toronto Nitros
Alliance United FC
North Mississauga SC
Prostars FC
Scrosoppi FC
Masters FA
Simcoe County Rovers FC
Woodbridge Strikers
Guelph United FC
Oakville Blue Devils
Darby FC
Pickering Town
Toronto FC U20
Unionville Milliken SC
FC London
Windsor City FC
Burlington
Hamilton United
St Catharines
BVB IA Waterloo
Wikipedia - League1 Ontario
League1 Ontario (L1ON) is a semi-professional men's soccer league in Ontario, Canada. The league is sanctioned by the Canadian Soccer Association and the Ontario Soccer Association.
League1 Ontario consists of three tiers – League1 Premier, League1 Championship, and League2 Ontario – with promotion and relegation between them. The top-two tiers consist of 12 teams each, while the lowest tier is uncapped in size.
In the Canadian soccer league system, the men's division is behind the fully-professional Canadian Premier League. It is part of League1 Canada, the national third tier with regional division, along with three other provincial leagues. The league champion qualifies for the Canadian Championship, Canada's domestic cup tournament. Dino Rossi serves as the commissioner of the league.
History
Origins
League1 Ontario was founded on November 15, 2013, in an announcement by the Ontario Soccer Association (OSA) that it would pilot the semi-professional league in 2014 and 2015 as a key pillar of long-term player development in Canada. The league would be administered by DG Sports, who also operate the province's amateur Ontario Soccer League, with Dino Rossi serving as commissioner. OSA President Ron Smale stated that the league's core group of players are to consist of U-23s, with League1 complementing the newly formed Ontario Player Development League (OPDL) elite youth league as a pathway for professional player development.
On April 8, 2014, the OSA revealed its plans for the inaugural season of League1 which would begin during the final weekend in May 2014. The season featured 10 teams, chosen through a standards-based application process, which were: ANB Futbol, Durham Power FC, Internacional de Toronto, Kingston Cataraqui Clippers, Master's FA, Sigma FC, Toronto FC Academy, Vaughan Azzurri, Windsor Stars and Woodbridge Strikers. The league champion would face the champion of the Première ligue de soccer du Québec in the Inter-Provincial Cup to determine the national Division III champion.
Dylan Sacramento of Toronto FC Academy scored the first ever goal in the league with a 10th-minute strike against Vaughan Azzurri. In the same game, Mateo Restrepo received the league's first red card. On July 22, 2014, the league and the Ontario Soccer Association announced the termination of Internacional de Toronto's license agreement due to "failure to comply with agreed-upon league standards", with league matches rescheduled for the season to accommodate the change. Toronto FC Academy were crowned the inaugural league champions on October 4, 2014, after defeating the Cataraqui Clippers 3–1 to secure the top place in the regular season standings. Vaughan Azzurri and Sigma FC contested the inaugural League1 Cup on October 19, 2014, at BMO Field, with the Azzurri winning the single-game cup final 2–1 to be crowned champions.
As the number of teams in the league continued to grow through expansion, the league introduced a two-conference format with the winner of each conference facing off in a championship match. After the 2016 season, the Inter-Provincial Cup was cancelled, with the winners of League1 Ontario and the PLSQ instead advancing to the national Canadian Championship the following season, beginning in 2018.
In 2018, the league returned to a single division, introducing playoffs for the top finishers of the league to decide the league champion. The League Cup tournament was eliminated the following season.
On November 14, 2018, the Canadian Premier League announced its purchase of League1 Ontario. According to L1O commissioner Dino Rossi, L1O would serve as "CPL's official development league."
Due to restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the league cancelled the 2020 season and delayed the start of the 2021 season. In 2022, L1O joined League1 Canada as a founding member. League1 Canada is an alliance of soccer leagues that operate at the pro-am level.
Reorganization
In 2024, League1 Ontario restructured from a single league into a three-tier competition. Existing teams were assigned to one of the top-two tiers based on the number of points they earned in the previous two seasons. The top-tier "League1 Ontario Premier Division" included the top 12 teams while the second tier "League1 Ontario Championship Division" featured the remaining 10 teams (with expansion to 12 teams in the 2025 season). Along with this, a third tier known as League2 Ontario debuted in 2024 with 24 teams that included existing club B teams and new teams joining the league. League2 was created as an entry point for expansion clubs to the L1O system.
Under the reorganization, teams have the ability to move up and down between tiers through a process of promotion and relegation. The 2024 season also saw the return of the L1 Cup, a league cup knockout tournament which features teams from all three tiers of the L1O system.
Welcome to the Canada League1 Ontario, a premier semi-professional soccer league that showcases the best talent in Ontario and serves as a vital stepping stone for players aspiring to reach the professional ranks. Established to elevate the level of competition and provide a platform for local athletes, League1 Ontario features a dynamic mix of teams representing various communities across the province.
**Tournament Format:**
The tournament operates on a league format, where teams compete in a series of matches throughout the season. Each team plays against others in a round-robin style, accumulating points to secure their position in the standings. The top teams at the end of the regular season qualify for the playoffs, culminating in an exciting championship match that determines the league champion.
**Participating Teams:**
League1 Ontario is home to a diverse array of clubs, ranging from established organizations to emerging teams, all united by a passion for the beautiful game. Each club brings its unique identity and fan base, creating an electric atmosphere at matches and fostering community pride.
**Player Development:**
One of the core missions of League1 Ontario is to nurture and develop local talent. The league provides players with invaluable experience, exposure, and opportunities to showcase their skills in front of scouts and coaches from higher levels of competition, including professional leagues. Many players have successfully transitioned to professional contracts, making League1 Ontario a crucial part of the Canadian soccer landscape.
**Community Engagement:**
League1 Ontario is committed to engaging with local communities, promoting inclusivity, and inspiring the next generation of soccer players. Clubs often host youth clinics, community events, and outreach programs, fostering a love for the sport and encouraging participation at all levels.
**Join Us:**
Whether you're a die-hard soccer fan, a family looking for an exciting outing, or a supporter of local talent, the Canada League1 Ontario tournament promises thrilling matches, passionate rivalries, and unforgettable moments. Come out to cheer for your favorite team and be part of the vibrant soccer culture in Ontario!