National 1 License

The National 1 License is a requirement for all Professional Clubs in membership of Canada Soccer, including those participating in Major League Soccer, Canadian Premier League, and Northern Super League.

License Goals

The overall aim of Canada Soccer’s Club Licensing program is to raise the level of club soccer in Canada. With this in mind, four (4) main goals have been developed for the National 1 and 2 Licensing Program:

Understand and safeguard club soccer in Canada

Raise the level of professionalism in club soccer administration

Identify and share best practices of our clubs and leagues to further development

Formalize requirements for participation in national and regional club competitions

Standards

The Club Licensing Regulations outline the minimum infrastructure, technical/sporting, administration, governance/financial/legal and social responsibility criteria to be fulfilled by a club to be granted a license by Canada Soccer as part of the admission procedure to enter the national or Concacaf club competitions.

Infrastructure

Implementation of the Infrastructure Criteria is aimed at ensuring that clubs have adequate stadiums and training facilities for all matches and training sessions, as well as informing clubs of the minimum requirements their stadiums must comply with to participate in Concacaf club competitions.

Technical/Sporting

Implementation of the Technical and Sporting Criteria is aimed at identifying and increasing the number of players and coaches while improving the experience for youth players at club level.

Administration

Implementation of the Administration Criteria is aimed at encouraging clubs to appoint individuals to key administrative roles to increase the level of professionalism at the organizations.

Governance/Financial/Legal

Implementation of the Governance, Financial and Legal Criteria is aimed at assisting Canada Soccer with protecting and safeguarding the integrity and continuity of club competitions. It also looks to understand the capabilities of the clubs while formalizing their legal structure.