TORONTO – The CBC has signed a broadcast agreement with Soccer Canada for the broadcast rights to the inaugural Nutrilite Canadian Champions League, which is the Canadian qualifying tournament for the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Champions League, it was announced Friday.
Three Canadian teams – Toronto FC, Montreal Impact and the Vancouver Whitecaps – will compete for the right to represent Canada at the new continental club championship, the CONCACAF Champions League.
The CONCACAF Champions League winner will then qualify as the CONCACAF representative at the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup.
The Nutrilite Canadian Champions League on CBC begins with live coverage on May 27 at 7:30 p.m. ET of the game between the Montreal Impact and host Toronto FC at Saputo Stadium.
“We are thrilled to add coverage of the first-ever Canadian Champions League to our soccer lineup,” said CBC Sports executive director Scott Moore. “Our agreements with FIFA and MLS show that CBC is committed to helping to grow the game in Canada. This will be an exciting tournament with intense competition between Canada’s professional teams – bringing it to Canadians is an important part of our commitment.”
CBCSports.ca will provide video streaming of four matches, and Bold will provide coverage of the first match between Toronto and Montreal on May 27 at 7:30 p.m. ET, and the Montreal game against Vancouver at Swangard stadium on June 25 at 8 p.m. PT.
As well, CBC Television will cover the May 27 match between Toronto and Montreal at 12 midnight local. On June 25, viewers can see Montreal at Vancouver at 11 p.m. ET. Toronto will host Vancouver for a live telecast at 3 p.m. ET, on Canada Day on July 1. Rounding out CBC Television’s coverage, Montreal will visit Toronto for the final match of the tournament on July 22 at 12 midnight local.
News and results from the tournament will be posted 24 hours a day, seven days a week on CBCSports.ca.
