(Antigonish, NS) – For the third time, Nova Scotia will host the Football Canada Cup tournament this summer.
St. Francis Xavier (StFX) University in Antigonish will serve as the official host for the top under-18 players in the nation to compete in Football Canada’s marquee tournament. The championship will take place July 12-20, 2025.
Nova Scotia will be one of eight provinces battling for gold. The others include defending champion Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Manitoba and British Columbia.
Not only is this an opportunity to represent their province, but it will be the chance to showcase their talents and use this as a competitive measuring stick. Several universities typically use this tournament to help them with future recruiting plans.
It marks the third time Nova Scotia has hosted the national tournament. Wolfville's Acadia University served as host in 2010 and 2017.
Not only will the Football Canada Cup be held in Antigonish, but so will the Under-16 East Region Challenge. In 2017, Nova Scotia hosted the inaugural tournament and won the championship on the home field in Wolfville. This will mark the third time the event is hosted in Nova Scotia, and second straight year it will be held in Antigonish. Nova Scotia will be looking to improve on their bronze medal finish in 2024.
The East Region Challenge features two-day tournament which the opening day’s winning and losing teams will play one another in day two. Defending champion Quebec, Ontario and New Brunswick will battle for gold along with host Nova Scotia. The tournament will run from July 14-19, 2025.
“We are thrilled to be hosting the Football Canada Cup and East Region Challenge once again,” says Football Nova Scotia Executive Director Karen Ouellette. “Our provincial programs have grown significantly since the last two times we hosted both tournaments.”
“Bringing these events back to Nova Scotia allows our athletes to play against the top talent across the country in front of family, friends, community, and home crowds. The Football Canada Cup is one of the most anticipated events in the summer calendar. It will showcase the sport and help us to develop grassroots football across the province. The East Region Challenge is the starting point to develop players while introducing them to tournament style competition.”
StFX is looking forward to hosting the nation in July in Antigonish and the organizing committee is busily preparing to host one of the most anticipated tournaments of the year on the football calendar in Canada.
“Bringing the Football Canada Cup and Eastern Challenge to life in Nova Scotia for the third time is more than just an event—it’s a celebration of talent, community, and the love of the game,” said Dave Van Den Heuvel, Chair of the 2025 Football Canada Cup Organizing Committee. “Football Nova Scotia, StFX, and our passionate community have an incredible opportunity to make history, and we couldn’t be more excited. The dedication of our organizing committee and StFX will ensure that these tournaments not only deliver top-tier competition, but also creates lasting memories for every athlete, visitor, and supporter who joins us in Antigonish.”
Secure your tickets now (prices listed in the links):
Multi event pass (good for both events): https://tprostfx.ticketpro.ca/en/pages/FootballMEP
2025 Football Canada Cup:
https://tprostfx.ticketpro.ca/en/pages/FootballCC
U16 East Region Challenge:
https://tprostfx.ticketpro.ca/en/pages/FootballEC
(NOTE: If there are any issues when purchasing tickets, please contact StFX Box Office at 902-867-3304)
For updates about the 2025 Football Canada Cup and Under-16 East Region Challenge, please follow Football Nova Scotia’s Facebook, Instagram, Instagram threads, and X feeds.