League1 BC Opens Expansion Applications for 2024

League1 BC has officially opened the door for new clubs going into 2024 and beyond.

Announced yesterday on their website and social media channels, the semi-pro league has asked for prospective license holders to apply via a JotForm on their website to outline their vision for D3 soccer in their community.

“Interested organizations will have the opportunity to submit preliminary information regarding their proposed ownership structure, [and] declare the timing of their interest to enter League1 BC” said the press release.

With applications for this initial stage closing on November 18th, it will not be long before we begin to learn if the league will see any new sides for the 2024 or 2025 seasons.

Void from this year’s call for expressions of interest, however, was the league’s standards document, a list of requirements each club must uphold in order to maintain their license. This was available in 2022 but was removed from the web following the closure of the application period.

This is not the first time that the league has sought expansion sides. In July of 2022, a similar call to action put out by the league which eventually led to the creation and inaugural season of Nanaimo’s Harbourside FC.

Notable communities in BC that have yet to see L1BC action include Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Kelowna. Chilliwack did serve as a one-time host to Unity-Rivers match earlier this year as the clubs took to Chilliwack’s Exhibition Stadium in a 7-nil Unity victory, thus proving that the city has the infrastructure to support a club.

Read More: Exclusive – CPL Set For Kick Off In Kelowna

Additionally, Kelowna’s Apple Bowl has been subject to expansion talks, however in the context of the Canadian Premier League as it was reported by Northern Tribune that the CPL had told its own prospective club owners that Kelowna was locked in as an expansion side.