In a landmark moment for Canadian soccer, AFC Toronto have etched their name into history as the first-ever winners of the Northern Super League Supporters’ Shield, awarded to the club that finishes top of the regular season standings.

Presented at their final home match of the inaugural NSL season, the Shield marks not only Toronto’s dominance on the pitch, but the passion, unity, and community spirit that have powered this league from the first whistle.

A Trophy for the Fans
While the Diana B. Matheson Cup will forever represent the championship pinnacle, the NSL Supporters’ Shield is a tribute to the heartbeat of the game; the supporters. In keeping with global soccer tradition, the Shield is presented by fans, the “12th player on the pitch,” to the club that best embodies season-long excellence.

Designed and fabricated in partnership with Victory Creative Group, the Shield reflects the NSL’s northern identity and the communities that have built this league together.

Its circular form evokes unity and continuity, featuring:

• A gold North Star soccer ball at its centre echoing the league’s crowning symbol.
• Aurora Borealis-inspired etchings that shimmer with movement and energy, representing the light fans bring to every match.
• A mixed-media construction of metal, acrylic, and wood, symbolizing the blend of strength, transparency, and roots that define Canadian soccer.

Engraved names of each year’s regular-season winner, starting with AFC Toronto, creating a growing ring of legacy.

AFC Toronto: Setting the Standard
From the earliest matches of the NSL’s inaugural campaign, AFC Toronto established themselves as the team to beat. Dynamic, disciplined, and electrifying in attack, they built a record that speaks to their depth and resilience.

Led by a veteran core and an emerging generation of homegrown talent, Toronto combined relentless pressure with moments of brilliance that thrilled fans at every venue. Their performances not only secured first place, but helped set the tone for the league’s identity - bold, fearless, and unapologetically ambitious.

This victory, however, belongs as much to their supporters as it does to the players. From the first whistle at BMO Field to a storied campaign at York Lions Stadium, to the final roar of the season, Toronto’s fans have brought an atmosphere that captures everything the Northern Super League stands for: collective power, brave soul, and real openness.

The Legacy Begins
As the NSL heads into the postseason and the first-ever NSL Final presented by Toyota on November 15 at BMO Field, the Supporters’ Shield stands as the first tangible mark of excellence in the league’s history.

AFC Toronto’s name will forever be the first engraved upon it, a reminder of what it means to dominate a season and inspire a nation.

The road to the Diana B. Matheson Cup now begins. But the Shield, glowing with northern light, will remain a symbol of everything this league was built to celebrate: excellence, connection, and the power of the beautiful game.