Atlético Ottawa: Everything you need to know about our men’s pro soccer franchise

Who is Atlético Ottawa?

Atlético Ottawa is the national capital’s franchise in soccer’s Canadian Premier League, entering its sixth campaign in 2025. The franchise was founded and is still owned by Club Atlético de Madrid of Spain’s La Liga.

In its first five seasons, including the first couple impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Atlético compiled an overall CPL record of 42 victories, 37 draws and 40 defeats.

Is this Ottawa’s first professional soccer franchise?

No. The Ottawa Pioneers joined what was then the Canadian Soccer League for the 1987 season, then operated as the Ottawa Intrepid through 1990.

Capital City FC played one season in the semi-pro Canadian Soccer League in 2011, advancing to the playoff final but losing 1-0 to Toronto Croatia.

Men’s professional soccer returned to the national capital in 2014, when Ottawa Fury FC joined the North American Soccer League. It peaked with a NASL Soccer Bowl final appearance in 2015, losing 4-2 to New York Cosmos.

Fury FC shifted to the United Soccer League in 2017 and played there through 2019. The franchise was suspended by Ottawa Sports & Entertainment Group in November 2019, and Ottawa’s USL rights were sold to Miami FC a month later.

How did Atlético land in Ottawa? 

A couple of months after Fury FC rights were sold, in February 2020, Atlético Ottawa became the Canadian Premier League’s eighth franchise, owned by Club Atlético de Madrid of Spain’s La Liga.

Who are the franchise leaders?

Fernando López was appointed Ottawa’s chief executive officer in 2020 and served in that position until 2024, when he was succeeded by Manuel Vega.

In February, Toronto native J.D. Ulanowski was named Atlético’s general manager. He joined Atlético Ottawa in 2022 and served as director of soccer operations and assistant general manager before being promoted to general manager by Vega.

Atlético also has a new head coach for 2025 following the appointment of Diego Mejia in mid-January. He takes over from Carlos González, who held the position for the previous three years.

Mejia is a former professional soccer player with more than 400 matches played during 14 years in Mexico’s First and Second divisions. He retired as a player in 2018.

He then spent time working at Manchester City and gaining coaching experience throughout Europe before joining FC Juarez of Liga MX as assistant manager in January 2021. In April of that year, he became that club’s manager.

“Our mission is to bring joy and pride to our passionate and loyal fanbase through our performances on the field,” Mejia said in a statement issued by Atlético. “As my family and I settle into this amazing country, I am eager to embrace the local community and experience their incredible support.”

What’s with the uniform?

The official squad colours are “federal red, blanc d’Ottawa and Rideau blue,” while the logo features the Peace Tower and Canadian flag along with red and white stripes inside a curved arch.

Wait … there’s much more.

In February, Atlético Ottawa released a new primary jersey for the 2025 CPL season dubbed the “Homage to El Doblete.”

It commemorates brother club Atlético de Madrid’s historic double-winning season in 1995-96, when the side led by current manager Diego Simeone won both Spain’s league title (La Liga) and the national cup competition (Copa del Rey).

The new kit features a retro design with a blank space on the back for each player’s name and number. An “El Doblete” commemorative patch has been placed in the bottom right corner on the rear of the jersey. The red and white stripes of the Atlético brand remain prominent, with a set of skinny lines bordering the thicker stripes that contain a light chevron detailing also visible on the sleeves.

Tell me more about the Canadian Premier League.

Now in its seventh season in 2025, the CPL has seven other clubs:

All teams play 28-game regular-season schedules, with the top club in the standings at season’s end earning both the CPL Shield and one of two berths representing the league in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup.

As well, the top five in the standings after the regular season will feature in the playoffs, leading to the CPL Final on either Nov. 8 or 9. The winner of that match will receive the North Star Cup and the league’s second berth in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Each club has a “player compensation budget” or salary cap of $1,282,000 for the 2025 season, as announced on April 1.

Also unveiled that day were updated roster rules that allow for a “domestic player designation” for select international players who have shown significant commitments to the CPL, which was defined as having been signed to standard player contracts during three league seasons or having resided in Canada for at least three years.

Among the handful of players now regarded as domestic players is Atlético’s Kevin dos Santos.

Each club can have a maximum of seven international players on the master roster.

What about non-league competition?

There is some of that, too, with CPL teams competing in the Telus Canadian Championship.

This year Atlético Ottawa will play host to League1 Ontario side Scrosoppi FC in a single-game knock-out match in the preliminary round on April 29.

The winner of that match will then take on the winner of another preliminary-round contest between York United FC and FC Laval in a two-game quarterfinal.

Is there a women’s professional soccer league?

Now that you mention it … The Northern Super League kicks off in 2025 with six clubs, including Ottawa Rapid FC.

How is Atlético doing this season?

The 2025 season opens at home against HFX Wanderers FC on Saturday, April 5.

Last season, Atlético placed third in the standings with 44 points compiled from 11 victories and 11 draws against just six defeats. Ottawa went on to edge York United FC 5-4 on penalties in the playoff quarterfinal, but it lost 1-0 to Forge FC in the semifinal match at Hamilton.

What’s the vibe fans can expect at a home game?

Jon Sinden, Atlético’s chief operating officer, says the club likes to say it provides “the best live sports experience in Ottawa” because of the unique nature of soccer, where the only scheduled stop in the action is the half-time break.

Sinden also gives much of the credit for the atmosphere to the Capital City Supporters fan group.

“They sing and they chant and they light their smoke and they wave their flags all game, and it’s a real kind of authentic vibe, so, when fans walk up to our matches, they definitely feel they’re at an event,” Sinden says. “There’s a concourse full of activities, stuff for young and old. The supporters are there singing and dancing and making their presence know, and they do it all game long because there are not any whistles and stops. They just keep going.”

Are there activities for kids at the pitch?

Of course, varying according to where they take place at the stadium.

The “kids section” around what many would know as the Log Cabin has soccer-specific and -related inflatables, games and crafts. For example, kids can get their nails done in Pride colours at the annual Pride game. Or each child can build a little pinata at La Fiesta.

There’s an entirely different menu of activities on the grandstand concourse. “It feels like you’re at a major event when you walk in,” chief operating officer Jon Sinden says.

Finally, there’s another window of opportunity for those attending a match as part of a soccer team or group, pre-planned, of course. Youngsters can stand on the pitch with flags, walk out with the pro players before the match, serve as “ball kids” with the task of expediting the return of soccer balls to the field of play after they bounce out of bounds, or they can line up near the tunnel for “half-time high fives” as the pros return to their respective locker rooms. Youth team members can also have pictures taken on the pitch, and there are mini-games during half-time.

How do I get Atlético tickets and what’s the price point?

Click here for the link to ticket webpage.

Single game tickets: Most games start at $22-$25 entry-level prices, except for the “Pay What You Can Home Opener in Support of CHEO” on Saturday, April 5. Batches of tickets for that contest will be available on various dates and at various prices starting as low as $5, and donations can be added during the checkout process. “We like to think of it as lowering the barrier to come to a match, come experience soccer,” chief operating officer Jon Sinden says, “because we know that, if people come once, it’s such a such a good time, it’s such a fun event, that we know they’re going to come back.”

Flex packs: The team website touts flex packages of six games ($140-369, or $115 for children under 12) and 10 games ($230-595, or $180 for children), useable in any configuration. “Many sports teams offer family four packs, but we’ve noticed in our research and in our demographic that does come to the game that families aren’t four people. Sometimes they’re two people, sometimes they’re 10 people,” chief operating officer Jon Sinden says. “So we’re the only (Ottawa) sports team to offer a flex pack that is 10 passes. If your family is five people, you can come to two games.”

Half-season tickets (7 matches): Prices range from $158 to over $500, based on location in the stadium. Tickets for children under 12 are $17.14 per game.

Season tickets: Adult prices are $299-$799 based on location in the stadium and services provided, taxes and fees included. Prices for youths under 12 (next to adult seats) start at $199. Half-season packages, comprising seven matches, start at $158.

Telus Canadian Championship: Tuesday, April 29, 7 p.m., against Scrosoppi FC. This contest is included in the season-seat package, but is otherwise available as a single-game ticket.

What’s the 2025 Atlético home game schedule? Are there theme nights?

(All home games at TD Place Stadium)

April 5, 2 p.m.: vs. HFX Wanderers (‘Pay What You Can’ home opener in support of the CHEO Foundation)

April 19, 1 p.m.: vs. York United (Dog’s Big Night in support of Eastern Ontario Potcake Network)

April 29, 7 p.m.: vs. Scrosoppi FC (Telus Canadian Championship match)

May 3, 1 p.m.: vs. Pacific FC (Toonie Hot Dog Match)

May 10, 2 p.m.: vs. Valour FC (Generation Next Match)

June 15, 7 p.m.: vs Valour FC

July 12, 3 p.m.: vs. Forge FC (Superman Night)

July 18, 7 p.m.: vs. HFX Wanderers (Military Appreciation Night)

Aug. 3, 4 p.m.: vs. York United FC (Soccer For Everyone Pride Game)

Aug. 23, 7 p.m.: vs. Cavalry FC (Beach Party)

Aug. 30, 7 p.m.: vs. Vancouver FC (La Fiesta)

Sept. 6, 7 p.m.: vs. Pacific FC (Newcomer Night)

Sept. 21, 3 p.m.: vs Forge FC (Célébration Franco-Ontarien)

Sept. 27, 1 p.m.: vs. Cavalry FC (50 Years of Odawa)

Oct. 12, 3 p.m.: vs. Vancouver FC (Suds N Duds)

Bet you didn’t know that…

“One of the surprises people have when they come is our rambunctious and boisterous supporter group,” chief operating officer Jon Sinden says, referring again to Capital City Supporters and crediting them for helping create a “proper” soccer match environment. “I know people would expect there’s fans in the building when they come to a match, but, if you come for the first time ever, you’re going to be really wowed by this. They’re very organized, they paint big (banners), they sing songs, they try to get the crowd involved. It is a big reason why we like to claim we are the best live sports experience (in Ottawa) because it’s very authentic and very natural, and they’re very inclusive.”

Who is the star player?

Someone to keep an eye on is Manny Aparicio, a 29-year-old from Toronto now in his second season with Atlético Ottawa.

Last season, Aparicio ranked second on the squad with five goals, and the central midfielder added two assists.

A former Toronto FC Academy player, Aparicio was also a CPL playoff winner with Victoria-based Pacific FC in 2021.

What can I get to eat at an Atlético game?

As a tenant of the stadium, Atlético has the same food service provider as the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League, Ottawa Rapid FC of the Northern Super League and the Ottawa 67’s of the Ontario Hockey League.

Still, Atlético likes to challenge the provider on occasion with special items related to game themes. “They do a pretty good job,” says Jon Sinden, chief operating officer and apparently a big fan of the Toonie Hot Dog Night.

“If you’re a foodie and you want to have a really unique food experience, that’s the match,” he says.

How can I watch games from home?

All CPL regular-season and playoff matches will be broadcast on OneSoccer, a sports TV channel and subscription streaming service. It is available through the OneSoccer.ca website via Roku, Chromecast and Apple TV devices and with the OneSoccer app for iOS and Android devices. It is also available as a linear channel on Optik TV, a pay-TV service operated by TELUS, as well as on the streaming service fuboTV Canada.