Olympic gold medalist Desiree Scott is helping launch a new Northern Super League expansion club in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The move brings professional women's soccer to a major Canadian hub, expanding the league's footprint and providing a professional pathway for female athletes across the country.
Winnipeg is set to become the seventh franchise in the NSL [1]. Scott, a veteran of the Canadian women's national team, is playing a central role in the establishment of the club to grow the sport for Canadian women [2, 3].
The expansion comes amid significant financial backing for the league. The NSL has received a $30 million investment from APEX to support its growth and expansion efforts [3].
Timeline details for the new club have been established. The team will begin official competition during the 2027 season [2, 4]. Preseason activities for the Winnipeg franchise are expected to start in February 2027 [2, 4].
By establishing a presence in Manitoba, the league aims to decentralize professional women's sports and increase accessibility for players and fans in the prairies. The project leverages Scott's experience and standing in the international soccer community to build a sustainable professional environment in the city [2, 3].
“Winnipeg will be the seventh franchise in the NSL women’s league”
The addition of a Winnipeg franchise and the $30 million investment from APEX signal a strategic effort to professionalize women's soccer in Canada. By involving a high-profile athlete like Desiree Scott, the league is not only expanding its geographic reach but also ensuring that the new club has immediate credibility and a connection to the national team's legacy.
