Canadian Championship to Feature Record-Breaking 19 Matches in 2024

Toronto FC off to a strong start with win over Simcoe County Rovers

Expanded tournament to provide more opportunities for Canadian soccer clubs

The 2024 TELUS Canadian Championship is set to feature a record-breaking 19 matches, the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) announced today. The tournament will also see the expansion of the second round to include eight teams, up from the current six, in a single-elimination format.

The first round of the competition will feature 11 matches, with the winners advancing to the second round. The eight second-round winners will then join the four Major League Soccer (MLS) teams in the semifinals, which will be played over two legs.

The final will be played over a single match, with the winner earning a berth in the 2024 Concacaf Champions League. The tournament will kick off on April 16, 2024, with the final scheduled for June 4, 2024.

"We are excited to announce the expansion of the TELUS Canadian Championship to 19 matches," said Peter Montopoli, CSA General Secretary. "This expansion will provide more opportunities for Canadian soccer clubs to compete at a high level and will help to develop the game in Canada."

Toronto FC, the defending champions, got their tournament off to a strong start with a 4-0 win over Simcoe County Rovers on Tuesday night. Ayo Akinola scored two goals for Toronto, while Jayden Nelson and Jordan Perruzza also found the back of the net.

The Canadian Championship is an annual soccer tournament that brings together the top professional clubs from Canada. The tournament was first held in 2008, and has been won by Toronto FC a record seven times.