With a year to go before its expected spring 2019 launch, the Canadian Premier League has unveiled its emblem and inaugural branding.
The CPL logo was revealed to the public early Friday, along with the league's manifesto. It's the first in what the league says will be a series of announcements as it lays the groundwork for its maiden season of play.
“The story of the Canadian Premier League begins today – and it starts with a coast-to-coast narrative that gives hope and a destination to the next generation of soccer players, coaches and supporters across this great country,” CPL commissioner David Clanachan said in a statement. “We are all so incredibly proud to share a vision and identity for our league and look forward to revealing key details on the founding clubs hitting the pitch for our inaugural 2019 season.”
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The emblem consists of three colours, with shades of blue and green — meant to invoke the natural beauty of Canada — making up a circular logo surrounding a stylized maple leaf that features the outline of the North Star.
The league says its teams will don a red version of the CPL emblem for games played on Canada Day, as well as during the Canadian Championship. Should CPL teams qualify for CONCACAF Champions League play, they will also sport the red logo in that competition.
Friday's brand launch comes ahead of the league's founding clubs being officially revealed. Ownership groups from Hamilton and Winnipeg have already been confirmed, with York Region, Halifax, Calgary and several others rumoured to be joining the fledging circuit.
It's an exciting time, said CPL VP of marketing Roy Nasrallah.
“Our next steps will be dedicated to growing the momentum from coast to coast," Nasrallah said. "This will include major club announcements, attracting new supporters, recruiting players, and spreading awareness of the league. It’s an incredibly exciting time to be a soccer supporter in Canada.”
This is the Canadian Premier League. We Are Many, We Are One. #CanPL #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/7Ano3d6P0J
— CPL (@CPLsoccer) April 27, 2018
Canada currently has four professional soccer clubs, with MLS sides Toronto FC, Montreal Impact and Vancouver Whitecaps the only first-division teams in the nation. Ottawa Fury plays in the USL, a second-division league based in the United States, along with Toronto FC II (an extension of the MLS parent team).
The CPL, which will be considered Canada's first division alongside the MLS clubs, promises to considerably increase the country's number of top-flight teams.