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THE ISLAND GAMES FACT SHEET
We are here to bring the joy of soccer – everyone wants to create some sense of normalcy and continue with the spirit of the game we love.
Format
The Island Games will commence on Thursday, August 13 with a rematch of the 2019 season finalists Forge FC vs Cavalry FC and will conclude in September with schedule announcement to come.
All eight (8) Canadian Premier League Clubs will play: HFX Wanderers FC, Atlético Ottawa, York9 FC, Forge FC, Valour FC, FC Edmonton, Cavalry FC and Pacific FC.
The season will begin with an 8-club first stage where each CPL team will play each other once (28 game total first phase), the top 4 clubs will advance to the second round 6 match group phase that will culminate with the top two clubs competing in a single match Final to be crowned the 2020 Canadian Premier League Champion.
Since there is no home-field advantage it will be a one-match Final to crown the 2020 Canadian Premier League Champion who will be awarded the North Star Shield and a 2021 CONCACAF League berth.
Location
Charlottetown is the birthplace of Confederation and one of most nationalistic and historic parts of the country. We are so honoured and appreciative that Prince Edward Island wanted to step up and offer the CPL a home for our 2020 season. The people of PEI, the businesses, the politicians, everyone demonstrated their desire for us to be here and that it’s a safe place to play. We in turn have implemented the utmost protective measures that will have us arriving on August 8 to align with health and safety protocols and we will be completely sequestered and respectful of our wonderful host city.
The people who call Prince Edward Island home have a reputation for warmth and hospitality. Wherever you are on the island, people are sure to help you out and make you feel at home. Their island is rich with history and beauty, and they are more than willing to generously share their time and resources with respectful visitors.
Venue
All matches will be played at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) Alumni Field in Charlottetown, PEI. The complex features a full-size FIFA quality turf surface that can accommodate soccer and is equipped with stadium night lights. FIFA tests measure material construction, durability, player/surface interaction, ball/surface interaction and field construction. The facility is a FIFA-certified artificial turf field and was resurfaced in August 2016. This ensures the maximum level of performance and quality experience for players.
Health and Safety
The safety of everyone involved in this event is our top priority. The Canadian Premier League and all participants will follow all federal, regional, and Provincial public health and safety protocols to execute this event. The CPL has developed strict health and safety protocols that have been approved by the PEI Chief Public Health Office. These include a responsible approach that manages risk for the residents of PEI, but also for our players and all other participants in the event.
The health and safety protocols for the Island Games have been developed over a number of months in consultation with the World Health Organization (WHO) Return to Gathering for Sport protocols, government health authorities including the province’s Chief Public Health Office, medical experts including an infectious disease specialist, microbiologist and front line clinical practitioners, along with protocols from other professional leagues around the world that have already returned to play, and Canada Soccer’s Medical Advisory Committee.
Almost all the participants in the event are Canadian or will have been in Canada for quite some time following mandatory quarantine periods and are operating under strict Return to Train and Play protocols. They also continue to follow all mandatory health protocols in their respective local markets. Any international players arriving into Canada before the event will travel to their home markets first, follow the mandatory 14-day quarantine period, and be tested before they leave to travel to PEI.
Fans
In partnership with the Canadian Premier League’s media broadcast partner OneSoccer, fans will:
• Be able to view all matches broadcast exclusively on OneSoccer.
• Generate a world-class event that incorporates fan engagement through other formats to present an exciting and experiential opportunity for fans.
• Implement creative and innovative ways to celebrate the home of the 2020 season.
• This year, our fans will be ‘digital’ spectators and we will build out an in-depth format for them to access the matches and feel the in-stadium experience … creating, as much as possible, the feeling of being in a seat at the stadium.
• Plans to create a fully immersive event throughout the match schedule with additional content, virtual engagement opportunities and giving fans an inside view of the whole experience from the players and coaches perspective.
Season Seat Members
We have a very exciting announcement on how our founding season seat holders can be part of this event and support their Club. Today, our Clubs ticketing teams will be in contact with season seat members about an exclusive membership program that offers unique and specific benefits and gives fans the opportunity to support their Club, support the League and be a part of The Island Games.