March 21st, 2023
Four BC Clubs achieve Canada Soccer’s Professional club Licensing
Club Licensing Program designed to raise standards of member organizations throughout the country both on and off the field.
Ahead of the 2023 season, Canada Soccer confirmed today that the Canadian members of Major League Soccer, all 8 Canadian Premier League clubs, and three League1 Canada clubs have either obtained, or are in the process of obtaining their professional club license designation.
The British Columbia contingent includes organizations in both levels of the Licensing Program. Vancouver Whitecaps, Langford-based Pacific FC of the Canadian Premier League, and the CPL’s newest club, Langley-based Vancouver FC have all been confirmed as National 1 Professional Club Licensing category.
League1 BC’s TSS Rovers obtained its National 2 Professional Club License in advance of the 2023 season, and the historical first ever appearance by a League1 BC Club in the 2023 Canadian Championships on April 19th against Valour FC at Swangard Stadium.
Among the objectives of the Licensing Program is safeguarding the credibility and integrity of club competitions, improving the level of professionalism, along with promoting transparency in the finances, ownership, and control of clubs.
Fulfilling the criteria allows clubs to participate in domestic leagues and the Canadian Championships, along with Confederation and International competition, including the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League and FIFA World Club Cup.