By Elke Porter | WBN News Vancouver | April 18, 2025

The 2025 Canadian soccer calendar kicks off with excitement as the CONCACAF Champions Cup returns, hosting 27 teams from across North and Central America. This year, clubs such as Cavalry FC and Forge FC from the Canadian Premier League, as well as the Vancouver Whitecaps, will compete in the region’s premier club competition. This tournament promises to deliver thrilling matchups and showcase some of the best talents in the sport.

The 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, the 18th edition of CONCACAF’s premier men’s national team championship, will take place from June 14 to July 6, 2025, across 14 stadiums in 11 metropolitan areas in the United States and Canada. It features 16 teams, including the United States, Mexico, Canada, Panama, and guest nation Saudi Arabia. The tournament is a key preparation event for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Other football tournaments in 2025

International football tournaments for all the club and national teams matches of Germany, Belgium, Brazil, United States, Netherlands, Denmark, France, Portugal, Croatia, Austria, Spain & Italy will be held over the next 8 months. Below are just a few examples. More about club team tournaments and youth tournaments in another article.

National Team Tournaments

  1. UEFA Nations League Finals
    • What: A competitive tournament for top European nations, culminating in semi-finals, a third-place match, and a final. Involves France, Germany, Portugal, and Spain.
    • Where: Germany (Allianz Arena in Munich and MHPArena in Stuttgart).
    • When: June 4–8, 2025.
    • Details: Semi-finals include Germany vs. Portugal (June 4) and Spain vs. France (June 5), with the final on June 8.
  2. FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers
    • What: Qualification matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, involving Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, France, Portugal, Croatia, Austria, Spain, Italy (UEFA), Brazil (CONMEBOL), and the United States (CONCACAF, but as hosts, they play friendlies or limited qualifiers).
    • Where: Across Europe (e.g., Allianz Arena for Germany, Stade de France for France), South America (e.g., Maracanã for Brazil), and North America (for U.S. friendlies). Matches are home-and-away.
    • When: Key windows in March, June, September, October, and November 2025.
    • Details: UEFA qualifiers began in March 2025, CONMEBOL qualifiers conclude by September 2025. Specific match venues depend on home teams.
  3. UEFA Women’s Euro 2025
    • What: The top women’s national team tournament in Europe, featuring Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, France, Portugal, Spain, and Italy.
    • Where: Switzerland (host cities: Basel, Bern, Geneva, Zurich, St. Gallen, Lucerne). Basel hosts the opening game and final.
    • When: July 2–27, 2025.
  4. African Cup of Nations (AFCON)
    • What: Africa’s premier men’s national team tournament. While none of the listed countries are directly involved, it’s a major global event.
    • Where: Morocco.
    • When: December 21, 2025–January 18, 2026.

An Iconic Tournament Format

The CONCACAF Champions Cup is the marquee club competition organized by CONCACAF, featuring teams from 10 different countries in a knockout format. The tournament is officially the 60th edition, yet only the second in this expanded format.

Previously known as the CONCACAF Champions League, which ran from 2008 to 2023, the tournament has a rich history, dating back to 1962 when Chivas Guadalajara claimed the inaugural trophy.

Fans can expect to see a mix of formidable clubs, including a star-studded Inter Miami featuring Lionel Messi, MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy, and renowned Mexican teams like Chivas, Club América, and Monterrey. The competition's depth and intensity mark it as a must-watch event for any football enthusiast.

Canadian Teams and Their Journey

This year, Canada’s three entrants—the Vancouver Whitecaps, the winners of the TELUS Canadian Championship; Forge FC, recognized as the Canadian Premier League Shield winners; and Cavalry FC, champions of the North Star Cup—will join the fray. Their participation promises to keep Canadian fans engaged, as they look to build on last year's performances.

The 'Caps will next be at BC Place on Thursday, April 24 for the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals against Inter Miami CF. Kickoff for that match will be at 7:30 p.m. PT. Following that match, the 'Caps host Real Salt Lake on Saturday, May 3 at 6:30 p.m. PT. For ticket information, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.

What’s at Stake?

The tournament not only offers the prestigious title of continental champion but also significant prize money and the opportunity to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup. As teams prepare for their initial matches, football aficionados can look forward to watching these clubs battle it out for glory.

2025 Concacaf Champions Cup Viewing

The tournament will be broadcast in Canada once again on OneSoccer. It’ll be available to watch in the United States on Fox Sports 1, on ESPN2 in Central America and the Caribbean, and on Concacaf GO in other locations around the world.

For more information on each region’s official broadcaster, click here, or visit the games in person.

Host Cities and Stadiums

The Gold Cup matches are primarily hosted in the Western United States, with one venue in Canada, to avoid scheduling conflicts with the FIFA Club World Cup on the East Coast. Below is the complete list of venues:

  1. Arlington, TX - AT&T Stadium
  2. Austin, TX - Q2 Stadium
  3. Carson, CA - Dignity Health Sports Park
  4. Glendale, AZ - State Farm Stadium
  5. Houston, TX - NRG Stadium (hosts the final on July 6) and Shell Energy Stadium
  6. Inglewood, CA - SoFi Stadium (hosts the opening match on June 14)
  7. Las Vegas, NV - Allegiant Stadium
  8. Minneapolis, MN - U.S. Bank Stadium (first-time Gold Cup venue)
  9. San Diego, CA - Snapdragon Stadium
  10. San Jose, CA - PayPal Park (first-time Gold Cup venue)
  11. Santa Clara, CA - Levi’s Stadium
  12. St. Louis, MO - CITYPARK
  13. Vancouver, BC, Canada - BC Place (first-time Gold Cup venue)

Conclusion

As the CONCACAF Champions Cup unfolds from February to June 2025, football fans across the region can anticipate a captivating tournament filled with fierce competition, star players, and unforgettable moments. The Canadian men’s national team will kick off their 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign against Honduras at Vancouver’s BC Place on June 17, as announced on GoldCup.org.

With comprehensive coverage planned for the Canadian sides and much more, this year promises to make an impact on the soccer landscape. Be sure to follow the action as these clubs vie for the title and position themselves among the best in the continent.

#CONCACAF 2025 #Champions Cup #Vancouver Whitecaps #Cavalry FC #Forge FC #Canadian Soccer #Club Football #FIFA Club World Cup #WBN News Vancouver #Elke Porter

Connect with Elke at Westcoast German Media or on LinkedIn: Elke Porter or contact her on WhatsApp:  +1 604 828 8788

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