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Men’s and Women’s League2 Division soccer is heading to Kingston in 2026.

Toronto, ON – (Sep. 2, 2025) – Kingston Sentinels have become the first expansion team confirmed for League1 Ontario’s 2026 League2 Division following a successful application by club owners Victory Group Ventures (VGV).

VGV plan to field Sentinels men’s and women’s squads in the League2 Divisions next year and will play their matches at CaraCo Home Field at INVISTA Centre in Kingston.

There are further proposals to build a soccer-specific home for the 2027 campaign, in addition to founding a Canadian Premier League side that will kick off its inaugural season in the same year.

It’s a project that Paul Barbeau, Managing Partner at Victory Grounds Ventures, feels is an opportunity that’s perfect for this historic Canadian city.

“Kingston is just the right spot,” he said. “They are looking for a team, they are hungry for a team to support, and this is something we feel we can give them.

“While it is two hours from Ottawa, Toronto, and Montréal, there is nothing at a semi-professional or professional level in that region, but there’s 10,000 kids registered in soccer and that’s growing every year.

“League1 Ontario is the next step and a natural progression. It makes sense to have a pipeline where kids coming up through their development have a place to play in their home area, and they can utilize that as a launchpad up to the Canadian Premier League, Northern Super League, or teams around the world.”

With their CPL ambitions in 2027 as well as building a year-round soccer facility, Kingston Sentinels have outstanding plans as an expansion franchise in League1 Ontario, and are creating a similar model to York United Academy who debuted in the Men’s Championship this summer.

“When we started Victory Ground Ventures about two years ago, we were looking at building a properly sized stadium for a CPL team,” Barbeau continued. “Kingston made sense for that project because there is a shortage of soccer infrastructure, especially in the winter.

“Then we wanted to look at the pipeline from youth development up to semi-pro and professional. The facility is key, but having a place for players to grow and learn is also very important.

“Rather than League1 Ontario being at the pinnacle of our pathway like most clubs at this level, it’s going to be the foundations. We’ve built partnerships with local clubs and also a soccer advisory committee which creates linkage to the local youth programs.

“The committee will give them a voice and provide our club with talent coming up, not only from Kingston, but the areas around in the entire Eastern Ontario region. Providing that full-year ability for them to play is only going to accelerate and improve their game.

“We are starting our journey in League1 Ontario’s League2 Divisions and I’ve been very upfront with our coaching staff – we’d like to be back-to-back champions. This is an adventure we are looking forward to, and we are very excited to work with the city, local partners, and businesses.”

Chris Keem, Operations Manager at League1 Ontario, said: “There have long been calls for Kingston to have a soccer team that they can support at the senior level.

“Paul and the team at Victory Group Ventures approached us with an exciting and ambitious proposal, and a deep passion to make a big impact in the Eastern Ontario soccer scene and create Kingston’s club.

“We are happy to welcome Kingston Sentinels to the League2 Divisions, congratulate them on their achievements so far, and wish them all the best as they prepare to meet their targets for 2026 and 2027.”