The Canadian Premier League and founding partner Volkswagen Canada are marking the 2024 Pride season with a series of matches across the league in support and celebration of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, inclusivity and the beauty of the diverse groups that make up our Canadian soccer family.
Each CPL Pride match will feature a range of initiatives and activities on game day that promote inclusivity and celebrate diversity. Fans in attendance at each match will receive custom bandanas.
In addition to the matchday festivities, Volkswagen Canada will donate $5,000 to an organization of each club’s choosing in its local community whose work to promote inclusivity and diversity is making a local impact through education, resources and advocacy. As presenting sponsor of the CPL’s Pride matches since 2022, Volkswagen Canada will donate nearly $100,000 to such organizations over three seasons.
Read more about the CPL’s 2024 Pride matches, and the organizations the clubs and Volkswagen Canada will be supporting, below. Check back on this page over the course of the 2024 CPL season, as more information will be updated as it becomes available!
Forge FC
Saturday, June 1, 2024 vs. York United FC
Tim Hortons Field, 4 p.m. ET
Beneficiary: SACHA (Sexual Assault Centre – Hamilton and Area)
SACHA is a feminist, non-profit, community-based organization that provides supports to people who have experienced sexualized violence at any point in their lives. We work to end violence and oppression through education, advocacy, outreach, coalition building, community partnerships, and activism. The $5,000 donation from Forge FC and Volkswagen Canada will specifically support SACHA’s Diverse Communities Outreach Program, which offers supportive programming for survivors of sexual violence from Hamilton’s diverse racial and cultural communities, in particular women who are Black, Indigenous, Queer, Trans, People of Colour.”
For more information about SACHA, visit: https://sacha.ca and https://sacha.ca/services/dcop.
Atlético Ottawa
Sunday, June 2, 2024 vs. Halifax Wanderers FC
TD Place Stadium, 2 p.m. ET
Beneficiary: Capital Pride, MAX Ottawa, Capital Rainbow Refuge
Capital Pride celebrates the rich and diverse 2SLGBTQI+ community in the National Capital Region. Our mission is to create opportunities to advocate, educate and connect people through programming and events in partnership with our partner community groups, businesses, and sponsors.
MAX Ottawa is a community-based organization that focuses on maximising the health and wellness of gay, bisexual, Two-spirit, queer, and other guys who are into guys, both cis and trans in the Ottawa region.
Capital Rainbow Refuge is a registered non-profit organization founded in 2010 to support and sponsor 2SLGBTQI+ refugees. Through volunteer-led sponsor groups, advocacy, community building and outreach, Capital Rainbow Refuge helps 2SLGBTQI+ refugees and newcomers arrive and thrive in Eastern Ontario.
For more information on Capital Pride and Capital Rainbow Refuge, visit https://capitalpride.ca/, https://maxottawa.ca/ and https://capitalrainbow.ca/.
Additionally, Volkswagen has invited 30 clients from Capital Rainbow Refuge to enjoy “Soccer For Everyone” this weekend at no charge.
York United FC
Sunday, June 9, 2024 vs. Vancouver FC
York Lions Stadium, 6 p.m. ET
Beneficiary: Downtown Soccer Toronto
Downtown Soccer Toronto (DST) is Toronto’s official 2SLGBTQI+ recreational soccer league for everyone from all backgrounds and skill levels. Founded in 2004, DST is a non-profit league that is volunteer-run and open to players of all skill levels and backgrounds. Its main outdoor 11v11 season runs from May to September each year. DST also runs an indoor futsal and turf season during the rest of the year.
For more information on Downtown Soccer Toronto, visit https://www.downtownsoccertoronto.org/.
York United will present a pre-game panel discussion ahead of its Pride match, with a focus on Sport and Sexuality in 2024. The panel will be moderated by CBC Sports reporter Devin Heroux and will begin at 4 p.m. at York Lions Stadium. Access to York’s Pride match is included in the price of the panel ticket, and $10 from each ticket sold will be donation to Rainbow Railroad, a global non-profit that assists at-risk members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community who are facing persecution based on their sexual orienttion, gender identity and sex characteristics.
Tickets to the panel can be purchased here: https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Yorkunited76/
Valour FC
Friday, June 14, 2024 vs. Pacific FC
Princess Auto Stadium, 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT
Beneficiary: TBA
Vancouver FC
Friday, July 12, 2024 vs. Atlético Ottawa
Willoughby Community Park at the Langley Events Centre, 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT
Beneficiary: Pink Shirt Day
Vancouver FC will celebrate its “Pink Out” Match on Friday, Jul 12, 2024 in support of Pink Shirt Day, whose mission is to raise awareness about bullying in schools, workplaces, home and online and raise funds to support programs that foster children’s healthy self-esteem.
For more information about Pink Shirt Day, visit: https://www.pinkshirtday.ca/.
Halifax Wanderers FC
Thursday, July 18, 2024 vs. Valour FC
Wanderers Grounds, 6 p.m. ET/7 p.m. AT
Beneficiary: Gender Affirming Care Nova Scotia
Gender Affirming Care Nova Scotia is a non-profit Community Interest Corporation (CIC) dedicated to supporting Health Equity, Access and Medical Transition.
For more information on Gender Affirming Care Nova Scotia, visit: https://sites.google.com/view/gacinnovascotia/home
Pacific FC
Sunday, July 28, 2024 vs. Valour FC
Starlight Stadium, 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT
Beneficiary: TBA
Cavalry FC
Sunday, September 15, 2024 vs. Atlético Ottawa
ATCO Field at Spruce Meadows, 5 p.m. ET/3 p.m. MT
Beneficiary: TBA