Soccer leagues in Toronto can be traced all the way back to the founding of the Sheffield Football Association in 1867. 145 years and countless countries later, the world's most popular sport remains a great way to stay in shape, meet new people, and become involved in your community. As soccer continues to flourish in Toronto, so do your options of where to play. A growing number of high quality indoor and outdoor artificial turf facilities are making it easy to enjoy soccer 365 days a year, regardless of where you live in the GTA. Whether you are an individual or you have a team of friends looking to play, the list of clubs and leagues accepting registration can become overwhelming. Here is a quick highlight of some of best options available for both indoor and outdoor, to help you enjoy this beautiful game.
Soccerworld Polson Pier
Toronto's largest indoor soccer league runs year-round inside its very own 2-field domed facility. For those in the downtown core looking to play recreational soccer, the location is ideal; situated just five minutes from the city centre in the Port Lands area. The league sees over 190 teams during the peak indoor season and offers women's, men's and co-ed divisions at various competitive levels. If you don't have a team, don't worry; they offer spaces for individuals to join as well. This organization also runs an affiliate outdoor soccer league called Toronto Rush FC, which is also listed below.
Toronto Services Soccer League
One of the longest running leagues in Toronto, TSSL is entering its 55th season. It is also one the largest outdoor soccer leagues in the city with up to 110 teams playing in the summer. TSSL's focus is on men's leagues, providing some of the most competitive soccer around. Games are held all over the GTA, from Centennial Park to Seneca College, Glendon College and Sunnybrook Park. Individual players looking for a team can fill out a submission form and get placed based on experience and preferred position. This year, the TSSL announced a move away from sanctioned soccer and will be using referees from their own training and development program.
Toronto Central Soccer Club
For top competitive women's soccer, TCSC has developed into the largest women's soccer club in Toronto. The club is located within central Toronto with outdoor games played at Eglinton Flats and Earlscourt Park, while indoor games take place at Lamport Stadium. Toronto Central is sanctioned by the Toronto Soccer Association and Ontario Soccer Association, and the league is known for some of the best women's soccer around.
The Hangar Sports Leagues
The Hangar is home to Downsview Park's indoor and outdoor soccer leagues. The large complex at Dufferin Street and Sheppard Avenue West that once manufactured de Havilland's Mosquito airplanes has been converted into four smaller indoor fields and three regulation outdoor fields--one of which is domed in winter. Adult leagues on offer include co-ed, women's, and men's in both outdoor and indoor options
Toronto Rush Soccer
Toronto Rush Soccer's outdoor leagues are entering their 4th season offering men's, co-ed and women's outdoor leagues to over 500 players in the downtown Toronto area. All games are played on turf with locations at Cherry Beach fields, Crescent School and a new field at Lakeshore Collegiate Institute. This popular league is sanctioned by the Toronto Soccer Association and Ontario Soccer Association, and offers a safe environment with professional referees in all of their recreational and competitive programs.
Extreme Toronto Sports Club
Extreme Toronto Sports Club offers provocative marketing campaigns and a professional sports league environment for adult recreational players. Free agents as well as teams are welcome in their indoor and outdoor soccer leagues that come in a variety of shapes and sizes, such as 6s and 11s in both men's and co-ed.
Toronto Recreational Sports League
TRSL is based out of the Yonge and Eglinton area, with all of their fields located nearby. Adult soccer leagues are played outdoor and 7-a-side with portable goals. The leagues are co-ed and self-officiated, and are more suitable for those looking for recreational, non-contact play.
St. Michael's Soccer Club
Open to adults over 18 years old, St. Michael's Soccer Club offers both indoor and outdoor competitive men's leagues. Outdoor soccer leagues are split across 10 field locations all east of highway 404 in Scarborough and Markham. Outdoor teams are also entered in a round-robin tournament known as the Archangel Cup. Indoor leagues run on Monday, Tuesday and Sunday evenings in Scarborough.
Toronto Soccerplex Leagues
Located at Lawrence Avenue East and the Don Valley Parkway, Toronto Soccerplex offers men's and co-ed indoor soccer leagues for adults. With fields smaller than most indoor facilities, teams in this league play a more compact game with only four players plus a keeper on each team. Soccerplex is also home to Justice League Football, which operates an indoor pick-up soccer program here, as well as an affiliated outdoor league at Sunnybrook Park.
Soccer City
Located in Etobicoke near Centennial Park, Soccer City is an established soccer facility running indoor and outdoor soccer leagues. Covering men's, women's and co-ed, at both recreational and competitive levels, they cater to a wide spectrum of soccer players and skill levels. When you are finished your game, you can stay to watch subsequent games from their 2nd level restaurant overlooking the field.
Bonus:
Toronto Sports & Social Club
TSSC offers a variety of sports for adults, with soccer being one of their most popular. The majority of participants play in co-ed leagues throughout the city, both indoor and outdoor, in "6 vs 6" and "11 vs 11" games. With no in-game officials, teams must call their own fouls and rate their opponents based on spirit points. If you are seeking a less competitive and more social dynamic then this is a great choice.
Writing by Saleem Haddad / Photo by
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