Atlético Ottawa gears up for snowy Canadian Premier League championship

Ottawa soccer fans braved the snow to watch Atletico Ottawa take on Cavalry FC in the CPL Finals. CTV’s Josh Marano has the story.

Ottawa is getting ready for one of Canada’s biggest soccer days of the year, as Atlético Ottawa hosts Cavalry FC in the Canadian Premier League Finals at 5 p.m. on Sunday.

The showdown will take place this evening at TD Place, where Atlético Ottawa has 22 game unbeaten streak. Their last loss at their home stadium came against Cavalry FC back in 2024.

The Calgary-based club Cavalry FC are the defending CPL champions while Atlético were knocked out of the second semifinal last season by Forge FC.

This is the first time the two clubs will meet in the Canadian Premier League Finals.

Ottawa fans had to bundle up, as Ottawa was dealt snow and below freezing temperatures on Sunday.

The championship marks a major moment for the city’s growing soccer community, coming after a season of strong attendance and increased engagement from local supporters. The club says it’s hoping a loud crowd and the momentum from the Fan Fest to carry into kick off.

This is the second time Atlético Ottawa has hosted the Finals, the first being in 2022 when they fell 2-0 to Force FC. This time around, fans as well as Atlético Ottawa chief of operations and compliance officer Alex Meija are hoping the team has what it takes to be crowned league champions.

“The coaching staff, credit to them and of course the players who have been tremendously excellent on the field and off the field,” Meija said.

“For now, we’re just making a new page in the story of Atlético Ottawa so hopefully we can finish the season with some silverware in the trophy case and in our office as well.”

Meija says he hopes to continue to build on the team’s success to further prove that Canada’s capital is built for the sport.

“We just want to continue building that momentum and just proving that Ottawa is a soccer city,”

As for the snow-ridden Finals, Meija says it comes with the territory.

“It brings in an additional, interesting and a very Canadian element doing the work we’re doing here, but we’re prepared for it,” Meija said.

Fans braved the weather to attend a Fan Fest which began at 2 p.m. on the Great Lawn, offering supporters a full slate of pre-game activities. Organizers say fans experienced live entertainment, family-friendly games, team merchandise, food vendors and community booths.

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