With just two weeks remaining in the 2026 Canadian Premier League regular season, there are two massive questions which remain unanswered.
Who will lift the CPL Shield, and which team will clinch the fourth and final playoff position?
Friday night could determine the latter, as the three teams battling for the last position above the line are in action: FC Supra du Québec and Vancouver FC hosting the Halifax Wanderers.
Saturday, the focus turns to the Shield, with both league-leader Cavalry FC and Forge FC in action.
Here's everything you need to know ahead of Matchweek 26:
Friday, Oct. 16 - FC Supra du Québec vs. Inter Toronto
7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT — Stade Boréale — OneSoccer, TVA Sports 2
Tickets available here.
After defeating Inter Toronto 2-1 at York Lions Stadium last Wednesday, and all but ending their playoff hopes, FC Supra host them at Stade Boréale on Friday night.
For eight minutes last weekend, Supra were in a playoff spot, until Mateo Campagna's stoppage-time equalizer for Vancouver FC resulted in a draw in Langley.
Instead, they sit two points out with two weeks remaining, but have been consistently closing the gap to the playoff line over the past few weeks.
In their final home match of the regular season, they need three points in order to guarantee that dream stays alive heading into the final week of the season.
Friday, Oct. 16 - Vancouver FC vs. Halifax Wanderers
10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT — Langley Events Centre — OneSoccer
Tickets available here.
After weeks of seeing their lead above the playoff line dwindle, Vancouver FC can no longer afford to scoreboard watch. On Friday in Langley, they need to take care of business.
Should Supra drop points earlier in the day, the Eagles would clinch a first-ever playoff spot in club history with a victory. But if Supra win, they would need three points to stay ahead heading into the final weekend. Regardless, Friday is win at all costs.
For Halifax, only three points would give them an opportunity to stay alive in the CPL playoffs. That ship could already have sailed by the time they kick off should FC Supra du Québec beat Inter Toronto.
Give the Wanderers even a glimmer of hope right now, however, and they are capable of magic. In back-to-back games, they scored stoppage-time equalizers against Forge and Cavalry to keep their season alive.
Saturday, Oct. 17 - Atlético Ottawa vs. Forge FC
1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT — TD Place — OneSoccer, TSN
Tickets available here.
Forge FC visit the nation's capital looking to do something they have not done since May 27, 2023: win at TD Place.
An incredible eight-goal week has them right back level with rivals Cavalry on points in the CPL Shield race, behind only on goal difference. But they can't let their foot off the gas now if they want to miraculously overtake the Calgary club.
With three straight wins, Atlético Ottawa locked up third place in the table last weekend. But the defending champs want to keep riding their excellent form heading into the playoffs, and a win over Forge would send a strong message.
As things currently stand, these two teams would meet in the opening round of the playoffs, and an important prequel could be written on Saturday.
Saturday, Oct. 17 - Cavalry FC vs. Pacific FC
4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT — ATCO Field — OneSoccer, CBC
Tickets available here.
Cavalry FC return home to ATCO Field following a winless three-match road trip that saw their CPL Shield lead reduced to a tiebreaker.
They still control their destiny; win their final two home matches, and they will almost certainly lift the CPL Shield on the final day of the season in Calgary. But collecting all three points on Saturday is vital to making that a reality.
In the process, they can chase down two records. Two wins, and they'd set the CPL single-season record for points at home. Two more goals, and they've scored the most ever in a CPL season.
The visiting Tridents, meanwhile, are also winless, and goalless, in their past three. But they, too, are desperate to finish the season strong, and have a say in the CPL Shield race in the process.
Player to Watch:
Callum Irving, Vancouver FC
As the Eagles look to clinch a playoff spot for the first time in club history, their first-ever signing has been coming up clutch. He made huge penalty saves in back-to-back draws against Inter Toronto and Forge FC. Then, this past weekend, he assisted on Mateo Campagna's stoppage-time equalizer against FC Supra du Québec with a free-kick delivery that ended up going viral. If Vancouver are to stay above their line, they are going to need their captain and keeper to keep coming up big, starting this weekend against Halifax.
