With Kelowna's fervent population growth , the not-so-small Okanagan city has been missing a crucial bedrock that separates itself from other growing communities. A professional sports team. That may be changing soon, as the Canadian Premier League (CPL), the country's primary national soccer league competition, is launching its On Tour series with a stop in Kelowna for a match.
Kelowna native Rob Friend is the owner of Vancouver Football Club (FC), one of two B.C.-based clubs in the CPL.
His Vancouver team will be facing off against Calgary's Cavalry FC, for a match at the Apple Bowl on Sunday, June 16 at 2 p.m. "This is special for me to be able to bring this game and soccer to Kelowna," he told Kelowna Cap News.
"Yes, it is one game but the hope is that it proves to be a catalyst for further investment in the city of Kelowna and to bring professional soccer to the city." The neutral site, a regular season game between two top clubs will be a first for the league. "We are excited that the league allowed me to put my hand up and bring the game into new markets," Friend added.
"We obviously looked across the country and I was the first to say that the city is a viable market, and I think it deserves a serious look of bringing this game to the city." Friend is also the CEO and co-owner of Pacific FC, the Victoria-based CPL club that launched in the league's inaugural season in 2019. Vancouver's began play in 2023, and is based in Langley.
Excitement has risen in the lead-up to.