| Forge FC vs. Atlético Ottawa April 4 at 12 p.m. ET Hamilton Stadium in Hamilton, Ontario Watch Live: OneSoccer, CBC & TSN |
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The 2026 Canadian Premier League season will kick off in style this weekend, when last year's top two sides go toe-to-toe in Hamilton.
Reigning champions Atlético Ottawa visit the 2025 CPL Shield winners Forge FC, both of them aiming for further silverware this year.
Last time these sides met was in last season's Championship Semifinal, when Ottawa came from a goal down to become the first away team to win in Hamilton in 2025. That victory secured Atleti's home advantage in the CPL Final, which they won in spectacular fashion at a snow-covered TD Place.
Forge, for the first time ever, missed the CPL Final, losing at home to Cavalry FC the week after their defeat to Ottawa.
These two clubs were neck-and-neck for most of 2025, and the race for the Shield came down to the final day of the campaign; Forge ended up claiming first place with a two-point advantage, claiming their second straight regular season title.
SEASON PREVIEWS: Forge FC || Atlético Ottawa
Still, very little separated Forge and Ottawa last year. They played to three draws, with Forge winning once in August, but Atleti had the last laugh in the playoffs.
Saturday's game will be an interesting opportunity to gauge the top two sides from 2025, because both have changed significantly.
Forge and Ottawa offered something of an introduction to their 2026 squads in the Concacaf Champions Cup. The Hammers played Mexican giants Tigres UANL close but ultimately fell in the second leg; Atlético, meanwhile, suffered a tough defeat at the hands of MLS side Nashville SC.
A few familiar veteran faces have left the Forge lineup for this year; defender Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson, midfielder Alessandro Hojabrpour, and winger David Choinière are all gone, as is reigning Golden Glove winner Jassem Koleilat in goal.
Meanwhile, Ottawa said goodbye to captain Nathan Ingham, as well as attacking stars David Rodríguez and Sam Salter — last year's CPL Final MVP and Player of the Year, respectively. They'll be looking for goals from a new cast of players, including Mexican duo Jonantan Villal and Emiliano Garcia, Norwegian striker Erling Myklebust, and Canadian talent Richie Ennin.
One other point of interest in this match is that it will feature the debut of the 'daylight' offside rule. The CPL, in collaboration with FIFA, will be the first league in the world to trial an alternative version of the offside law, which may give an extra advantage to attacking players.
Plus, this will be the first CPL game played with Football Video Support — a video review system that allows each coach two challenges per game.
NEWS & NOTES
- Forge might be a little shorthanded this weekend. Nana Ampomah also remains out of the country due to visa issues and it's unclear when he'll be able to play. Also, reportedly, Dan Nimick, Daniel Krutzen and Kyle Bekker are unavailable for Matchweek 1.
- Atlético Ottawa coach Diego Mejía confirmed defender Roni Mbomio will be unavailable on Saturday. Goalkeeper Garissone Innocent is also questionable to play as he deals with an injury.
- Forge FC have an all-time record of 14-6-6 against Atlético Ottawa, and a record of 2-3-1 in home openers. They have won their last two, both against Cavalry FC.
PROJECTED STARTING XIs
Forge FC: Bertaud; Rama, Batisse, Jevremović, Paton; Borges, Kane, Jensen; Babouli, Wright, Massunda
Atlético Ottawa: Crampton; Kozlovskiy, Abatneh, Cloutier; Garcia, Aparicio, Castro, Antinoro; Villal, Ennin, Tabla
