2026 Season Preview: Everything You Need To Know!
Tomorrow, a new Ontario Premier League season kicks off with the first round of the OPL Cup, and we put together a quick preview for you to be up to speed with everything you need to know before supporting your Guelph United in 2026!
What is Ontario Premier League?
Ontario Premier League (OPL), formerly called League1 Ontario, is a semi-pro soccer league that was founded in 2014. It is owned and managed by CSB (Canadian Soccer Business), and is sanctioned by FIFA through Canada Soccer and Ontario Soccer. Together with League1 Quebec, BC Premier League, Alberta Premier League and Prairies Premier League, it currently sits at the third tier of the Canadian soccer pyramid, with CPL (Canadian Premier League) and NSL (Northern Super League) at the first tier, and no current second tier leagues. You can visit their website here.
What is the format of the league?
OPL recently implemented a format similar to the European model, including a tiered structure with promotion/relegation between its divisions, no playoffs, and a cup competition (OPL Cup) that runs in parallel with the leagues. You can read more details about it here.
Where does Guelph United fit into all this?
Guelph United’s women’s team is part of the highest division of Ontario Premier League, OPL 1, which features the province’s best 10 teams. Unfortunately, our men’s team relegated at the end of 2024, and is now part of the second-tier OPL 2.
At the end of the season, the top team in OPL 1 is crowned champion, and qualifies to a national competition (the Canadian Championship for men, the Inter-provincial Championship for women). The bottom team(s) relegate to OPL 2, while the top teams(s) from OPL 2 promote to OPL 1 - which is what our men’s team will be fighting for.
There is also a third division, named OPL 3, featuring mostly reserve squads and new expansion teams, and which is where our Reserve teams are playing.
How do our rosters look like?
Our women’s team, after finishing 4th last season, is hoping for an even better campaign. Following coach Ribeiro’s departure, new head coach Michael Warden was able to keep a large part of our 2025 core intact, including re-signing MVP Olivia Brown, as well as U Sports MVP Olivia Rizakos. Here is the full roster.
Following the retirement of Keith Mason, our men’s team is now coached by Mickael Rougette. After the disappointing results of 2025, there has been a lot of roster turnover, in the hope that we can push for promotion this season. We did re-sign a few staples of recent seasons, like Amardo Oakley and Anthony Ostrun, promoted a few players from our reserve squad, and signed many new players - including bringing back former Forge FC striker Marcel Zajac, who has played for GUFC before, in 2022. You can check out the current roster here.
With another week to go until our league debut, our rosters aren’t finalized yet - so expect a few more signings in the coming days.
You can read more about each of our signings in our newsfeed.
That’s great and all, but how and where can I attend games?
Both our senior teams play their games at the Centennial Bowl (here’s how you can get there). Even though the season starts today, the home opener at the Bowl will take place on May 19th. Before then, our teams will play a few games away from home (see the schedules for men and women), with the exception of one home match that our women’s team plays at Bishop Macdonell Catholic High School.
Is it expensive?
It most certainly is not. Adult game tickets cost $10; kids pay $5; and children under 10 have free admission. But the best way to watch our team is through our affordable season tickets: $65 for adults and $30 for kids and seniors give you access to ALL 19 games hosted at the Centennial Bowl this summer. Get yours now!
Is there anything to eat or drink at the Bowl?
We will confirm food options closer to the home openers, but for now, we can confirm the beer garden will be back for the new season, offering various beers from our partners from Wellington Brewery.
Can the games be streamed anywhere?
Not all of them. OPL provides streams of 2 games each week; whenever Guelph United is live streamed we will make sure to let you know through our social media channels.
Can I have a handy schedule of all our home matches?
Yep: here’s the full Centennial Bowl schedule for 2026.
Tuesday May 19, 8.00 PM: GUFC Women - FC London
Sunday May 24, 2.30 PM: GUFC Women - NDC Ontario
Sunday May 24, 6.00 PM: GUFC Men – Windsor City FC
Saturday May 30, 2.30 PM: GUFC Women - Scrosoppi FC
Tuesday June 2, 8.00 PM: GUFC Men – The Borough FC
Sunday June 7, 2.30 PM: GUFC Women - Woodbridge Strikers
Wednesday June 17, 8.00 PM: GUFC Men – Cambridge United
Sunday June 21, 2.30 PM: GUFC Women - North Toronto Nitros
Sunday June 21, 6.00 PM: GUFC Men – Master’s FA
Sunday July 5, 6.00 PM: GUFC Men – FC London
Sunday July 12, 2.30 PM: GUFC Women - North Mississauga SC
Sunday July 12, 6.00 PM: GUFC Men – Waterloo United
Wednesday July 22, 8.00 PM: GUFC Men – Whitby FC
Sunday July 26, 2.30 PM: GUFC Women - Vaughan Azzurri
Sunday July 26, 6.00 PM: GUFC Men – North Mississauga SC
Sunday August 2, 2.30 PM: GUFC Women - Waterloo United
Sunday August 2, 6.00 PM: GUFC Men – Inter Toronto Academy
Sunday August 16, 6.00 PM: GUFC Men – Hamilton United
Sunday August 23, 6.00 PM: GUFC Men – Pickering FC