Canadian Soccer Business (CSB), the commercial entity behind Canada’s soccer governance, has acquired non-exclusive broadcasting rights to the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in North America for its OneSoccer streaming service. This agreement establishes OneSoccer as the NWSL’s official broadcast partner in Canada, with the goal of increasing exposure for Canadian national team players ahead of the FIFA men’s and women’s World Cups in 2026 and 2027, respectively.
OneSoccer’s Role and Canadian Talent in the NWSL
OneSoccer, initially a joint venture between CSB and the Mediapro agency but now fully managed by CSB after Mediapro’s exit in 2024, will showcase NWSL matches featuring more than 20 Canadian athletes. The roster includes prominent national team members and Olympic gold medalists like Kailen Sheridan, Janine Sonis, Jessie Fleming, Julia Grosso, Jordyn Huitema, Adriana Leon, Nichelle Prince, and Gabrielle Carle. The 2026 NWSL regular season is scheduled from March 13 to November 1, with playoffs occurring from November 6 to 11.
CSB’s Strategy to Grow Canadian Soccer
James Johnson, CSB’s group chief executive, emphasized the organization’s commitment to expanding soccer’s reach in Canada through strategic media rights acquisitions. He stated,
“That includes increasing the visibility and impact of Canadian players across the game, expanding the range of competitions available to fans, and ensuring consistent access at home beyond international windows and competitions.”
Johnson’s remarks highlight CSB’s intent to not only broadcast the games but also bolster the presence of Canadian players within the larger soccer ecosystem.
Broader Sports Rights Portfolio of OneSoccer
Beyond the NWSL, OneSoccer holds rights to other significant competitions, including Germany‘s Bundesliga. Under this agreement, every Bayern Munich match—featuring Canadian men’s national team captain Alphonso Davies—will be streamed live and available on demand. The rights package also covers the German Super Cup and relegation play-offs.
Additionally, OneSoccer streams the Concacaf Champions Cup, the Canadian Premier League (CPL), and the Canadian Championship, which includes Canadian teams competing in Major League Soccer (MLS). It also broadcasts fixtures involving Canada’s men’s and women’s national squads and regional contests like the Concacaf Nations League.
CSB’s Position Amidst Governance and Contract Revisions
CSB’s acquisition of NWSL rights emerges as the organization continues reshaping its role within Canadian soccer. The group previously faced scrutiny over its opaque partnership with Canada Soccer, leading to scrutiny from the Canadian Soccer Players Association and a hearing before the Canadian government’s Heritage Committee regarding its leadership and agreements.
CSB was created in 2018 to manage commercial assets for Canada Soccer, including sponsorships and broadcast arrangements, under a 10-year contract running through 2028. While Canada Soccer does not own CSB, it receives fixed annual payments to support league operations such as the CPL.
Following these governance challenges, CSB’s former chief executive Mark Noonan expressed openness to renegotiating the existing deal to better serve the sport’s interests in Canada. In May 2025, James Johnson replaced Noonan as CSB’s group chief executive, signaling a new phase for the organization.
Projected Impact on Canadian Soccer and Media Access
This broadcasting partnership with OneSoccer for NWSL games is poised to enhance the visibility of Canadian players internationally and domestically, providing fans easier access to high-level women’s soccer. With major tournaments like the 2026 World Cup approaching, this deal could support Canadian athletes’ profiles and growth of the sport nationwide. CSB’s expanded media rights portfolio aims to solidify soccer’s presence across Canada, leveraging streaming platforms to meet increasing fan demand for both men’s and women’s competitions.
