OneSoccer Lands NWSL Rights in Canada – Sportcal

Canadian Soccer Business (CSB) has secured non-exclusive rights to the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) for its OneSoccer streaming platform, aiming to increase the visibility of Canadian players ahead of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup and the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The agreement will see OneSoccer become the NWSL’s broadcast partner in Canada, providing fans with access to games featuring a significant contingent of Canadian talent. Currently, over 20 Canadian players compete in the NWSL, including established national team members and Olympic gold medalists such as Kailen Sheridan, Janine Sonis, Jessie Fleming, Julia Grosso, Jordyn Huitema, Adriana Leon, Nichelle Prince and Gabrielle Carle.

The 2026 NWSL regular season is scheduled to run from March 13 to November 1, culminating in playoffs from November 6 to 11. This expanded coverage comes as the NWSL continues to grow in popularity and profile, attracting top players from around the world.

James Johnson, Group Chief Executive of CSB, emphasized the strategic importance of the deal. “Our vision at CSB is to strategically acquire and manage media rights in ways that expand access to the game and support the long-term growth of soccer in Canada,” Johnson stated. “That includes increasing the visibility and impact of Canadian players across the game, expanding the range of competitions available to fans, and ensuring consistent access at home beyond international windows and competitions.”

This acquisition of NWSL rights builds on CSB’s recent efforts to bolster its sports content offerings. The company previously secured non-exclusive rights to Germany’s Bundesliga, specifically to showcase Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies, captain of the Canadian men’s national team, in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Under that deal, every Bayern Munich game will be available live and on demand, along with the German Super Cup and relegation play-offs.

OneSoccer’s existing portfolio of rights includes the Concacaf Champions Cup, the Canadian Premier League (CPL), and the Canadian Championship, which features Canadian teams from Major League Soccer. The platform also broadcasts matches from both Canada’s men’s and women’s national teams, as well as action from the Concacaf Nations League.

The NWSL deal arrives at a pivotal moment for CSB, as the organization navigates a period of rebuilding trust and transparency within Canadian soccer. The company has faced scrutiny regarding its partnership with Canada Soccer, leading to a lawsuit from the Canadian Soccer Players Association and appearances before the Canadian government’s Heritage Committee to address concerns about the arrangement.

The existing ten-year agreement between Canada Soccer and CSB, established in March 2018, governs the commercial assets of the national teams through 2028. While Canada Soccer does not hold an ownership stake in CSB, it receives an annual payment – approximately $3 million to $4 million – with the remaining funds used by CSB to support the growth of the CPL.

Following the Heritage Committee hearing, CSB signaled its willingness to renegotiate the terms of its deal with Canada Soccer. Mark Noonan, then-chief executive of CSB, stated the company was proactively engaging with the governing body to explore amendments to the contract.

In May 2025, James Johnson was appointed as the new Group Chief Executive of CSB, replacing Mark Noonan, who previously held the dual role of CPL commissioner and CSB chief executive. This leadership change reflects CSB’s commitment to strengthening its operations and fostering a more collaborative relationship with Canada Soccer and other stakeholders.

The acquisition of NWSL rights represents a significant step forward in CSB’s strategy to enhance the Canadian soccer landscape, providing fans with increased access to top-tier competitions and showcasing the talents of Canadian players on the international stage. As Canada prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the increased visibility of both the men’s and women’s national teams will be crucial in building excitement and support for the sport across the country.