Four teams entered the playoffs.
Two have survived.
One championship awaits.
The 2026 Northern Super League season is approaching its biggest moment as the league prepares to crown its second-ever champion in the Diana B. Matheson Cup Final.
The championship takes place Saturday, November 14, at TD Place in Ottawa, with kickoff scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
The road to the final has featured intense Ontario rivalry, outstanding attacking performances and a battle between the league’s established contenders.
THE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHUP
Roses Bloom at Home:
Montréal Roses FC
Supporters’ Shield winners
Finished first with 45 points.
Defeated Vancouver 5–2 on aggregate.
Looking to complete a historic league and playoff double.
VS
AFC Toronto
Finalists
Finished third with 38 points.
Eliminated Ottawa 8–2 on aggregate.
Returning to the championship final for a second consecutive season.
Players to watch
Montréal Roses
Elyse Bennett – attacking threat and goal scorer.
Mimi Alidou – attacking quality and experience.
Lisa Pechersky – important creative presence.
Noémi Paquin – capable of producing a decisive moment.
AFC Toronto
Kaylee Hunter – Toronto’s leading scorer with 11 regular-season goals and four goals across the semifinal series.
Lena Silano – important attacking contributor.
Nikayla Small – additional scoring threat.
Lauren Rowe – another key attacking option.
Three keys to victory
Control the midfield: Winning possession and controlling the tempo will be essential.
Take advantage of scoring chances: Both clubs have demonstrated their ability to score in bunches.
Defensive discipline: One defensive mistake could determine the championship.
The championship storyline
Montréal enters as the regular-season champion, while Toronto arrives with tremendous momentum after its dominant semifinal performance.
The Roses want to establish themselves as the league’s first regular-season and playoff double champions.
Toronto wants redemption after losing the inaugural 2025 championship final to Vancouver.
I give Montréal a slight advantage because of its consistency, defensive organization and attacking depth.
However, Toronto has enough firepower to make this a competitive championship match.
2026 DIANA B. MATHESON CUP FINAL
Montréal Roses vs. AFC Toronto
Saturday, November 14, 2026
2:00 PM
TD Place – Ottawa, Ontario
Broadcast: CBC, TSN, RDS and NSL YouTube
