Club to celebrate record-setting 2025 campaign with on-field ring presentation, debut original team anthem, and matchday experiences presented by Desjardins

TORONTO, ON (April 30, 2026) — AFC Toronto returns to BMO Field on May 3 at 12:00 p.m. ET to open its 2026 home schedule against Halifax Tides FC, marking the club’s first home match of its second Northern Super League season.    

The home opener, themed “League Champions Return,” welcomes back the reigning NSL regular season champions and Supporters’ Shield winners following a historic inaugural campaign that saw AFC Toronto finish top of the table with 16 wins.

Presented by Desjardins, AFC Toronto’s official financial institution partner, the home opener will bring together on-pitch ambition and curated matchday moments that reflect the club’s identity and connection to the city. All fans in attendance will receive a commemorative AFC Toronto scarf, courtesy of Desjardins.

At the centre of the matchday is a Championship Ring Celebration, recognizing the club’s 2025 Supporters’ Shield-winning season. Captain Nikayla Small will be presented on-field with a custom-designed ring created in partnership with Baron® Championship Rings, a leader in crafting bespoke rings that honour defining moments in sport.

Designed in close collaboration with Small, the ring reflects AFC Toronto’s regular season achievement, featuring 51 red stones encircling the band – representing the 51 points earned across the 2025 campaign. Every detail has been intentionally considered, resulting in a piece that captures both the precision of Baron®’s craftsmanship and the identity of a team that set the standard in its inaugural season.

“To craft the rings for AFC Toronto, the first-ever Supporters’ Shield champions of the Northern Super League, is an incredible honour. This isn’t just history being made, it’s a legacy being built, and we’re proud to help tell that story,” said Drina Baron-Zinyk, President, Baron® Championship Rings.

“In our first season we showed everyone who we are and established what we expect from ourselves,” said Helena Ruken, CEO and Co-Founder of AFC Toronto. “This moment is about celebrating that achievement – finishing top of the table and earning the Supporters’ Shield – and sharing it with our fans and supporters. As we begin our second season, we continue to build on that foundation and take it to the next level.”

Beyond the ceremony, the home opener will introduce new creative elements that reflect the evolving culture of the club with an original AFC Toronto anthem, which will debut in-stadium. Titled “In The 6ix (Official AFC Toronto Theme Song)”, it is written by Bryan Lash and Zoe Burns and; performed by Zoe Burns; produced by Bryan Lash at Blash Studios.

The national anthem will be performed by Jasmine Kiara, an emerging Canadian artist who recently performed at the JUNO Awards and has collaborated with Grammy-recognized talent.

Single match tickets are available, Join the Action here. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to experience the full home opener, including pre-match ceremonies and celebrations.

Match Details:
AFC Toronto vs. Halifax Tides FC
May 3, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. ET
BMO Field, Toronto