The Canadian Premier League today announced the 2023 CPL Final will be played at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton Ont. on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. ET, following Forge FC’s victory over Calvary FC in Saturday’s qualifying semifinal.
Forge, which finished in second place in the regular season standings, earned the right to host the CPL Final with a 2-1 away victory over regular season winners Cavalry during Saturday’s playoff semifinal at ATCO Field at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Alta, the first bout of playoff action for both clubs in 2023. The match between the regular season winners and runners up to determine which club earns home field advantage in the Final is part of the League’s innovative new five-team playoff format, which rewards regular season success by providing the top two sides after 28 games with a more direct route to the championship CPL Final.
Cavalry now has a second chance at securing a spot in the Final, when it hosts Pacific FC in the second playoff semifinal at ATCO Field on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 4 p.m. ET/2 p.m. MT. The winner of that match will face Forge in the battle for the soon-to-be-unveiled North Star Cup the following weekend.
The unveiling of the North Star Cup, the recently announced trophy to be awarded to the League’s playoff champion starting this season, will be one of several exciting events to be hosted in Hamilton as part of the CPL Final weekend festivities. The city will also play host to the annual CPL Awards on Thursday, Oct. 26, where some of the League’s best will be honoured for their individual performances over the course of the 2023 season. To get the party started on matchday, Tim Hortons Field will play host to CPL Fan Fest, where supporters can enjoy live music and DJ performances, family fun, food and beverage, prizes and get a chance to see the new North Star Cup up close before it is lifted for the first time.
