Toronto FC II, the reserve side for Toronto FC, is set to relocate to Barrie, Ontario, beginning with the 2028-29 season. This move is part of a new partnership involving the City of Barrie, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), MLS NEXT Pro, and the Barrie Stadium Group. The collaboration aims to bring professional soccer to downtown Barrie through the construction of a new stadium.
The planned venue will initially feature seating for 3,500 to 3,800 spectators, with the potential to expand capacity to 6,500 using temporary bleachers. The stadium’s design also allows for future expansion to accommodate up to 10,000 attendees. The City of Barrie will fund the construction of the $28-million soccer-specific stadium, which will be built on city-owned land.
New Stadium and Community Impact
The stadium is envisioned as a central hub for various activities beyond professional soccer. It is expected to attract other sports and entertainment events, in addition to providing a location for community programming. Mayor Alex Nuttall stated that this investment will foster the growth of professional sports in Barrie and serve as a pivotal community hub for youth sports, including football, soccer, lacrosse, and rugby.
Chris Shewfelt, VP business operations for MLSE and lead governor for Toronto FC II, highlighted the partnership as an exciting new chapter for the team. He noted that the City of Barrie and the Barrie Stadium Group have demonstrated a clear vision for the future and a strong commitment to developing the sport. The new environment is intended to support player development and strengthen the Toronto FC pathway.
The proposed stadium, located near the Lake Simcoe waterfront, will include a covered stand on the west side. Locker rooms and other team amenities will be situated in the south end, with a patio for fans on top of the south building. The facility will also offer suites, a video board, and a small broadcast compound.
Team Operations and Development
MLSE will maintain ownership and operation of the TFC reserve team. The Barrie Stadium Group, having acquired the club’s commercial rights from MLSE, will be responsible for operating the stadium and managing all off-field aspects, including future stadium costs. Peter Raco, president and CEO of the Barrie Stadium Group, described the venue as potentially one of Canada’s most iconic small stadiums, designed with football in mind and capable of hosting concerts and other sporting events.
Toronto FC II functions as a developmental side, with its roster comprising young talent. Current players include Jahmarie Nolan, a 16-year-old Jamaican youth international, and Canadian youth internationals Antone Bossenberry, 17, and Richard Chukwu, 18. The team is coached by Gianni Cimini. Eleven members of the current Toronto FC first team, such as goalkeeper Luka Gavran, defenders Kobe Franklin and Raheem Edwards, and winger Malik Henry, have progressed through the TFC 2 ranks.
The team is currently playing its home games at York Lions Stadium, a 4,000-capacity venue at York University. Shewfelt noted that while York Lions Stadium is a good venue, it does not allow for a truly professional environment for the players. The move to Barrie is expected to create that professional atmosphere for every match. The TFC 2 players will live and train in Barrie, and the team will initially be rebranded as Barrie MLS Next Pro until a permanent name, crest, colours, and brand are unveiled at a later date.
TFC 2 is one of 27 MLS team reserve sides competing in the MLS Next Pro league, which also includes three independent franchises. The team currently holds 12th place in the 16-team Eastern Conference with a record of 6-9-3. Barrie is located approximately 82 kilometres north of TFC‘s training ground in north Toronto.
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Source: sportsnet.ca
Ethan Brule is a Senior Hockey Writer at CasinoNews. He covered the NHL for a national Canadian outlet. He focuses on the NHL, the Maple Leafs and Team Canada and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Sports Media from Toronto Metropolitan University. Now based in Toronto, he plays beer-league hockey and follows the junior ranks. “Hockey in Canada is never only about the score.”
