BC Soccer Announces Change to BCSPL Playing Season beginning September 2025

BC Soccer is pleased to announce that beginning in September 2025, the BCSPL will be changing its playing season and registration year from January to December, to September to June playing season. This change was made to better support key areas of player development and continue to enhance the alignment of the BCSPL to Player Development Program (PDP) standards.

The process taken to consider this change went through an extensive review over the past 12 months considering both Technical and Operational best practices and efficiencies, receipt of feedback from BCSPL Clubs, while also assessing current gaps which could be enhanced by implementing the change to the Coastal season of play.

Additional rationale for the change to the Coastal season of play are:

• Continuous Playing Season: By decreasing the period of inactivity from BCSPL-scheduled matches during the winter months, players can maintain their competitive edge and team continuity within their standards-based BCSPL training and match environments.

• Increased Meaningful Matches: The number of match weekends available increases with this change, which allows for improved options for league scheduling and supports better training-to-match ratios for players. All matches during the playing season will count toward final Regular Season Standings, including more opportunities for a balanced schedule across all age groups.

• Enhanced Opportunity for Player Development & Improved Operational Efficiencies: The alignment of the BCSPL’s season of registration with other leagues in the province will enhance player development opportunities and provide a clearer framework for player movement (e.g. permitting and registration status) between the respective leagues. In addition, this enhances opportunities for improved player identification and selection within Club environments.

Other Operational and Administrative components affected by this change:

• Transfer Deadline: The BCSPL-to-BCSPL Transfer deadline is planned to be December 15, 2025 for the 2025/26 playing season (September to June).

• Schedule: The schedule will include matches played in December 2025, January and early February 2026 for Lower Mainland and Island clubs.

• Registration: Registration will be in two parts for this change;

  • 1) submitted to BC Soccer on February 1, 2025, for the 2025 playing season (February to June), and

  • 2) submitted to Districts on August 1, 2025, for the 2025/26 playing season (September to June) onward.

• Age Group Changes: The Coastal registration year (2025/26) changes the age group structure to:

  • U-14, U-15, U-16, U-17, U-18

  • There is no longer an ‘Intake’ age group

• Open Registration Window: Commitment for the 2025 playing season ends on June 30, 2025.

• Permitting: Any player Permits and Travel Applications will be signed by the appropriate District(s)

The modified playing season continues to support the Player Development Program (PDP) standards and requirements, with a full schedule of regular season matches from September 2025 to May 2026. All 16 BCSPL clubs remain committed to supporting Player, Coach, and Referee development across the province, ensuring alignment with National PDP standards.

BC Soccer is looking forward to the implementation of this change which will enhance player development, increase clarity and efficiency for player registration and player movement, and support a more positive experience on and off the field within the BCSPL.