Professional women’s soccer returns to Vancouver after more than a decade
Vancouver Rise will kick off its first season in April
Professional women’s soccer returns to Vancouver after more than a decade
Vancouver’s newest professional women’s soccer team, Vancouver Rise FC, officially unveiled last month, marking the return of professional women’s soccer to the city after more than a decade. The team is set to compete in the Northern Super League (NSL), which kicks off its inaugural season next year in April.
The announcement came during an event where team president Sinead King and sporting director Stephanie Labbé revealed Vancouver Rise’s name and logo. The team expressed that the name symbolizes empowerment, encouraging future generations to “rise above and chase their dreams.”
The team’s logo, designed as a teal shield, features three snow-capped mountains, symbolizing Vancouver’s iconic landscape, along with a golden sunburst representing hope and progress. This emblem is intended to resonate with fans as a beacon of inspiration and ambition.
The NSL will launch with franchises in six cities — Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, and Calgary. Each team will play a 25-game schedule, culminating in playoffs and a national championship in fall 2025. Several teams have already introduced their names and logos, including Ottawa Rapid FC, Halifax Tides FC, and Calgary Wild FC.
The league has also established its financial framework, with an initial salary cap of $1.5 million per team, spread across 20 to 25 players. Each player will receive a minimum salary of $50,000, and teams are allowed up to seven international players. Additionally, each club can sign one marquee player whose salary will count only $75,000 against the cap.
The excitement surrounding the NSL has been palpable, particularly among Canada’s women’s soccer community. The return of professional women’s soccer to Vancouver has been long awaited, and the launch of Vancouver Rise FC represents a significant milestone for the city.
“Vancouver has always had incredible support for the women’s game,” Labbé said in a statement published by CBC News. “Vancouver Rise FC will be a team that will inspire generations to come, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone to be a part of it.”
As the NSL prepares to debut, further details regarding rosters and league structure will be shared in the coming weeks. For the city, Vancouver Rise signifies more than just a new sports team — it is a powerful statement about the city’s commitment to advancing women’s soccer and nurturing talent both locally and nationally.
With the unveiling of its name and logo, Vancouver Rise is poised to energize the city and bring the spirit of professional women’s soccer back to life in B.C. The countdown to April’s kickoff has begun, and fans across the country are eager to see this historic moment unfold.
