As the Canadian Premier League gets set for its eighth season, TrueNorthFoot asked its contributors to make their predictions, including their bold ones.

Without further ado...

Thiago Szwarc

Regular season standings:

1. Forge FC
2. Cavalry FC
3. Atlético Ottawa
4. FC Supra
5. Inter Toronto FC
6. Halifax Wanderers
7. Vancouver FC
8. Pacific FC

North Star Cup winner: Forge FC
Golden Boot: Tobias Warschewski (Cavalry FC)
MVP: Tobias Warschewski (Cavalry FC)

Bold prediction: Pacific will have the worst season ever registered by a Canadian Premier League team (currently 20 points in 2022 by FC Edmonton).

"The season will go fairly similarly to the past seasons. Forge, Cavalry, and Ottawa will be the top sides to beat, while Supra, Halifax, and Inter Toronto will be battling for the 4th and final playoff spot. Standings-wise, there won't be many surprises."

Baltej Bining

Regular season standings:

1. Cavalry FC
2. Forge FC
3. Inter Toronto FC
4. Vancouver FC
5. FC Supra
6. Halifax Wanderers
7. Atlético Ottawa
8. Pacific FC

North Star Cup winner: Inter Toronto FC
Golden Boot: Tobias Warschewski (Cavalry FC)
MVP: Ali Musse (Cavalry FC)

Bold prediction: Ali Musse becomes the first CPL player to record 10+ assists in a single season.

"Yes, these are some bold predictions, but I have my reasons. I feel Pacific, Atlético Ottawa, and Halifax have the weakest squads in the league, hence their positions. Supra and Vancouver are interchangeable, but the signings that Vancouver have made will propel them into their first postseason, while I feel Supra will have a rocky start to life as they won’t be able to truly bounce back as they narrowly miss qualification on the final day. I’ve got high hopes for Inter Toronto, and with their squad, I think Mauro Eustáquio can lead this side to an underdog run, which includes them winning the competition. Cavalry has the best squad on paper, in my opinion, which is why I have them topping the table after the 28 regular-season games. I think they will be in the final but will once again fall short. This year will be the first year in which the CPL Final is decided by a penalty shootout. While I think Forge fails in the league, they will be in the final of the Canadian Championship come October 21st."

Ivan Sørensen

Regular season standings:

1. Atlético Ottawa
2. Forge FC
3. Cavalry FC
4. Halifax Wanderers
5. Vancouver FC
6. Inter Toronto FC
7. FC Supra
8. Pacific FC

North Star Cup winners: Cavalry FC
Golden Boot: Brian Wright (Forge FC)
MVP: Thierno Bah (Vancouver FC)

Bold prediction: Late in the season, when Vancouver plays Cavalry, Ottawa and Forge, they will tie or win all three games.

"I think the jostle for the top positions will see more movement this year, but I think the top 3 will remain much the same. The real battle will be in the middle of the table, which I think is more open than it was last year."

Mitch McCrory

Regular season standings:

1. Cavalry FC
2. Forge FC
3. Inter Toronto FC
4. Atlético Ottawa
5. Halifax Wanderers
6. Vancouver FC
7. Pacific FC
8. FC Supra

North Star Cup winner: Cavalry FC
Golden Boot: Julian Altobelli (Inter Toronto FC)
MVP: Tobias Warschewski (Cavalry FC)
Golden Glove: Dimitry Bertaud (Forge FC)
Best Defender: Daan Klomp (Cavalry FC)
U21 award: Adam Pearlman (Cavalry FC)

Rory Arthur

Regular season standings:

1. Cavalry FC
2. Forge FC
3. Inter Toronto FC
4. Atlético Ottawa
5. FC Supra
6. Vancouver FC
7. Halifax Wanderers
8. Pacific FC

North Star Cup winner: Forge FC
Golden Boot: Julian Altobelli (Inter Toronto FC)
MVP: Tobias Warschewski (Cavalry FC)

Bold prediction: Inter Toronto will lead the league in goals and score 50+ as a team.

"Ottawa will struggle out of the gates but find some form later in the season to squeeze into the fourth slot, while Cavalry holds top spot for the majority of the season but has to fight off a typical late Forge push. Playoffs see a Forge defensive masterclass shut down the bevy of attacking options for Inter, and Cavalry breeze past Ottawa, before Bobby gets the better of Tommy once again in the final."

Liam Ball

Regular season standings

1. Forge FC
2. Cavalry FC
3. Inter Toronto FC
4. Atlético Ottawa
5. Vancouver FC
6. Halifax Wanderers
7. FC Supra
8. Pacific FC

North Star Cup winner: Cavalry FC
Golden Boot: Julian Altobelli (Inter Toronto FC)
MVP: Daan Klomp (Cavalry FC)
Golden Glove: Dimitry Bertaud (Forge FC)

Bold prediction: Dimitry Bertaud, Nathan Ingham, and Garissone Innocent will all record 10 or more clean sheets throughout the 2026 season.

"The CPL will be close at the top, in the middle, and at the bottom, with three distinct groups forming across the season. Forge and Cavalry will remain near the top of the table as perennial playoff contenders. Inter Toronto, Atlético Ottawa, Vancouver FC, and Halifax will fiercely compete for the final two playoff entries, with a strong Inter Toronto squad ultimately making it to the postseason along with Ottawa. Supra and Pacific will spend 2026 near the bottom of the table, looking to build momentum for the future."

All but one prediction had Forge and Cavalry sharing the top two spots, with Inter Toronto typically following in third.

Pacific is predicted to finish last by all but one, while Inter Toronto has been predicted at the top, middle, and bottom of the table.

Tobias Warschewski is a favourite to win both the Golden Boot and the MVP award at the end of the season.