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Winnipegs New 5,000-Seat Stadium to Host Northern Super League Expansion Club
A new 5,000‑seat stadium will soon light up Winnipeg’s soccer scene, giving the city a purpose‑built home for its first Canadian women’s professional club.
On Tuesday, the Northern Super League (NSL) announced an $8.5 million investment that will transform the Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex into a modular venue designed to accommodate a growing fan base and the league’s standards.
The project is jointly funded by the NSL, the federal government, the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg. The league will contribute $5,025,000, the federal government is investing up to $2.1 million, the province is adding $750,000 and the city is providing $600,000.
SixFive Stadiums, a Vancouver‑based construction firm, has been hired to lead the build. The new complex will feature FIFA‑grade turf, modern lighting, a range of seating options—including social areas, supporter and premium seats, and suites—and a design that allows for future expansion.
"We want to create this purpose‑built stadium that is intimate, that is all about the fan experience, where the community from Day 1 feels a part of this," said Desiree Scott, NSL Winnipeg co‑founder and vice‑president of community and player experience, at the press conference. Scott, who has long envisioned a professional women’s soccer presence in Winnipeg, added that the new venue will “make this feel like a home and a part of the community.”
NSL president Christina Litz, a Winnipeg native, emphasized the league’s commitment to equal treatment for women’s sports facilities. "Wherever we go in this country, and Winnipeg is no exception, women’s sports facilities have not been given the equal treatment that really the athletes that play the game deserve," she said.
The Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex has a long history of hosting high‑profile matches, including the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2017 Canada Summer Games. The main pitch currently holds about 2,000 spectators; the new stadium will increase capacity to 5,000.
The expansion club will be the seventh team in the NSL, which will begin its 2027 season with seven franchises. The league’s inaugural season in 2025 saw six founding clubs, and the addition of Winnipeg will bring the total to seven.
Rob Gale, former head coach and general manager of Valour FC, the city’s Canadian Premier League (CPL) side that folded after the 2025 campaign, praised the new stadium. "We have well more than 5,000 Winnipeg people who support soccer. And (Valour) showed that in our first year. I think we had 5,700 fans per game," he said. "Now you’re not rolling up on game day knowing that there’s 26,000 spare tickets. This is going to be an in‑demand ticket." Gale also highlighted the quality of play in the NSL. "The NSL is already establishing itself as one of the top women’s leagues in the world. Starting salary is in the top five. Budgets to work with, the staff and to build a roster, is in the top five of women’s soccer leagues, worldwide. So you’ve got a genuine chance to attract top talent," he added.
The stadium’s modular design means it can be expanded if demand grows. The project is slated for completion by spring 2027, in time for the club’s inaugural season.
Team branding is still pending. While the nickname “Winnipeg Destroyers,” a nod to Scott’s own moniker, was considered, the club has decided to pursue a different direction. The name and logo will be announced next month.
The new venue will replace the former home of Valour FC, Princess Auto Stadium, which held 32,343 spectators and was considered an awkward fit for the CPL side.
With the stadium’s opening, the NSL will have a dedicated, purpose‑built venue in Winnipeg that aligns with the league’s standards for facilities and fan experience. The investment reflects a broader commitment from the league and government partners to elevate women’s professional soccer in Canada.
As the club prepares for its first season, the focus will be on finalizing branding, assembling a roster, and engaging the community. The stadium’s opening next spring will mark a new chapter for women’s soccer in Winnipeg and for the NSL’s expansion into the city.
On Tuesday, the Northern Super League (NSL) announced an $8.5 million investment that will transform the Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex into a modular venue designed to accommodate a growing fan base and the league’s standards.
The project is jointly funded by the NSL, the federal government, the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg. The league will contribute $5,025,000, the federal government is investing up to $2.1 million, the province is adding $750,000 and the city is providing $600,000.
SixFive Stadiums, a Vancouver‑based construction firm, has been hired to lead the build. The new complex will feature FIFA‑grade turf, modern lighting, a range of seating options—including social areas, supporter and premium seats, and suites—and a design that allows for future expansion.
"We want to create this purpose‑built stadium that is intimate, that is all about the fan experience, where the community from Day 1 feels a part of this," said Desiree Scott, NSL Winnipeg co‑founder and vice‑president of community and player experience, at the press conference. Scott, who has long envisioned a professional women’s soccer presence in Winnipeg, added that the new venue will “make this feel like a home and a part of the community.”
NSL president Christina Litz, a Winnipeg native, emphasized the league’s commitment to equal treatment for women’s sports facilities. "Wherever we go in this country, and Winnipeg is no exception, women’s sports facilities have not been given the equal treatment that really the athletes that play the game deserve," she said.
The Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex has a long history of hosting high‑profile matches, including the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2017 Canada Summer Games. The main pitch currently holds about 2,000 spectators; the new stadium will increase capacity to 5,000.
The expansion club will be the seventh team in the NSL, which will begin its 2027 season with seven franchises. The league’s inaugural season in 2025 saw six founding clubs, and the addition of Winnipeg will bring the total to seven.
Rob Gale, former head coach and general manager of Valour FC, the city’s Canadian Premier League (CPL) side that folded after the 2025 campaign, praised the new stadium. "We have well more than 5,000 Winnipeg people who support soccer. And (Valour) showed that in our first year. I think we had 5,700 fans per game," he said. "Now you’re not rolling up on game day knowing that there’s 26,000 spare tickets. This is going to be an in‑demand ticket." Gale also highlighted the quality of play in the NSL. "The NSL is already establishing itself as one of the top women’s leagues in the world. Starting salary is in the top five. Budgets to work with, the staff and to build a roster, is in the top five of women’s soccer leagues, worldwide. So you’ve got a genuine chance to attract top talent," he added.
The stadium’s modular design means it can be expanded if demand grows. The project is slated for completion by spring 2027, in time for the club’s inaugural season.
Team branding is still pending. While the nickname “Winnipeg Destroyers,” a nod to Scott’s own moniker, was considered, the club has decided to pursue a different direction. The name and logo will be announced next month.
The new venue will replace the former home of Valour FC, Princess Auto Stadium, which held 32,343 spectators and was considered an awkward fit for the CPL side.
With the stadium’s opening, the NSL will have a dedicated, purpose‑built venue in Winnipeg that aligns with the league’s standards for facilities and fan experience. The investment reflects a broader commitment from the league and government partners to elevate women’s professional soccer in Canada.
As the club prepares for its first season, the focus will be on finalizing branding, assembling a roster, and engaging the community. The stadium’s opening next spring will mark a new chapter for women’s soccer in Winnipeg and for the NSL’s expansion into the city.
