The City of Kelowna has announced plans to bring a professional soccer team to the area by 2028. Mayor Tom Dyas and other city officials joined representatives from the Canadian Premier League (CPL) to discuss the project’s details.
A key focus is securing an ownership group and investing up to $25 million in upgrading the Apple Bowl, Kelowna’s primary multi-sport stadium, to meet CPL expansion requirements. Mayor Dyas emphasized the positive impact of hosting events like B.C. Lions football games and the Canadian Hockey League’s Memorial Cup on the city’s economy.
The proposed enhancements to the Apple Bowl include a new grandstand with a seating capacity of 3,000, upgraded locker rooms, a scoreboard, a broadcast center, and the conversion to artificial turf. The funding for these improvements would need approval in the upcoming city budget after the fall election.
The CPL, established in 2019, represents the highest level of domestic men’s soccer in Canada, distinct from the U.S. soccer league system that includes MLS and the Vancouver Whitecaps. CPL executive vice-president Marni Dicker expressed support for Kelowna’s initiative to host a CPL team, underlining the importance of securing an ownership group for the project.
The announcement signifies a collaborative effort to position Kelowna as a potential future location for a CPL team, with a focus on engaging interested ownership groups.
