Pro Soccer Coming To Barrie As TFC Migrates Reserve Side
By Professional soccer is coming to Barrie by way of Toronto FC.
The Major League Soccer side’s reserves are moving north up the 400 to plant their flag in Barrie, with the MLS Next Pro side planning a rebrand to reflect its new home by the 2028-2029 season. The move includes the construction of a 3,500-seat soccer-specific venue in downtown Barrie, a first for a venue of such intimate size as the sport continues to feed from World Cup energy across the country.
That isn’t to say building blocks have not been slowly assembled in the years preceding this moment: Peter Raco, the President of both the Barrie MLS Next Pro side and the venue-focused Barrie Stadium Group, has been a leading figure in bringing an Ontario Premier League side to the city. He now accompanies local business magnate Jamie Massie and several MLS and MLSE executives at today’s announcement, accomplishing his goal through new paths and partnerships.
“More than thirty years ago, we helped bring the Barrie Colts to our community and built a venue, Barrie Molson Centre, that has become part of the identity of this city,” says Barrie Stadium Group chairman Jamie Massie. “Today, we have the opportunity to do it again through the world’s game. This team and stadium will become part of the identity of our city for generations to come.”
The stadium, while built with the MLS Next Pro side as its anchor tenant, will also host other professional sporting events, concerts, festivals, and community programming. That could mean a sizable upgrade in home grounds for Ontario Premier League side Simcoe County Rovers, whose men and women’s teams currently play out Georgian College.
Since shovels haven’t hit ground yet for the new downtown stadium – it is early days yet, after all – Toronto FC 2 is expected to remain at York Lions Stadium through to 2028. The MLS Next Pro side will eventually drop its TFC2 moniker in favour of a more local flair, with a brand new name, crest, and branding set to be unveiled at a later date.
A permanent ground to call home has been a surprisingly elusive prospect for Toronto FC 2: the club initially launched as a USL side and played out of the Ontario Soccer Centre, later migrating to USL One and even calling Arizona and Florida home during the pandemic. With the arrival of MLS Next Pro, TFC 2 moved to York Lions Stadium, where it presently shares the pitch with two other similarly named professional sides in Inter Toronto and AFC Toronto.
Both of those clubs are looking towards Lamport to secure their own futures, while Toronto FC 2 embarks north instead.
“Barrie represents the type of ambitious community that we want to partner with,” adds MLS Next Pro President Ali Curtis. “One that is investing in world-class infrastructure, embracing the sport at every level, and creating an environment where players, fans, and the community can thrive. We are excited to welcome Barrie to the league.”
Barrie Stadium Group will support the city in the development and operation of the stadium ground, with Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall describing today as a transformation one for the city, and even hints that some international flavour could come to the city through the Canada Soccer-specific events.
“This investment in our community, alongside Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment and Barrie Stadium Group’s investment in the newly-formed Barrie MLS NEXT Pro franchise, will not only allow for professional sports to grow in Barrie, but provide a pivotal community hub for our youth sports to compete and learn in. From football to soccer, lacrosse to rugby, this new facility will help grow our youth sports while also making Barrie home to professional and international soccer. This is a great day for Barrie, MLSE, Barrie, and Canada Soccer.”
Further details to come as they are announced. In the meantime, fans can check out more about Barrie’s MLS Next Pro side here.
