Vaughan, Ontario – Ontario Soccer is thrilled to announce the launch of GeneratiON26, a dynamic community engagement marketing campaign aimed at bringing soccer to all Ontarians. With BMO as the title partner, GeneratiON26 is a bold initiative designed to unite Ontarians under a common goal: pursuing their unique soccer journeys as members of GeneratiON26 and celebrating the beautiful game. The GeneratiON26 campaign will unfold over the next three years, with a full calendar of events and initiatives running through the summer of 2026 and beyond.
This exciting campaign will engage and strengthen communities, improve accessibility to the game, and create a lasting legacy in Ontario’s soccer landscape leading up to and during 2026. By focusing on grassroots initiatives, coach and match official development, and the recruitment and retention of volunteers, GeneratiON26 is an effort to ensure soccer remains a central part of Ontario’s cultural fabric for generations to come.
At the core of GeneratiON26 are a series of BMO Festivals, co-hosted with various member organizations across Ontario. These community festivals will bring together families, young players, and fans in a celebration of soccer. Additionally, the newly launched Ontario Soccer MySoccer App and media platform, powered by BMO, will serve as the digital home for all GeneratiON26 content, making it easier than ever for Ontario’s soccer community to connect, share and engage.
A striking, custom-created visual identity suite, including unique logo marks and branding elements, will accompany the campaign. These designs will be featured prominently on event signage, merchandise and giveaways, inspiring stakeholders across the Ontario Soccer family to proudly display them as their very own GeneratiON26 badge of honour. The visual identity will help galvanize a sense of unity, pride, and belonging within Ontario’s soccer community, marking this initiative as something truly special.
The campaign officially kicks off at Ontario Soccer’s home, the Zanchin Automotive Soccer Centre in Vaughan, with the inaugural BMO Grassroots Soccer Festival on June 9, 2025. Today’s special event also marks the start of Soccer Week in Ontario, offering an action-packed day of fun activities, community connections, and giveaways for young players and families.
“GeneratiON26 is a game-changer for soccer in Ontario,” said Johnny Misley, CEO of Ontario Soccer. “With BMO’s incredible support, we’re bringing soccer into the homes of Ontarians and empowering them to embark on their own unique soccer journeys. Our mission is clear: Ontarians will unite under a common goal of pursuing their passion for soccer as members of GeneratiON26, while creating engaged and vibrant communities that will carry their love for the game forward for generations to come.”
A Three-Pillar Approach to Soccer Engagement
Ontario Soccer’s GeneratiON26 campaign will be structured around three key pillars:
- BMO Anchor Events & Programs Delivered by Ontario Soccer: These signature festivals and tournaments will engage communities from across the province, uniting them through their shared love of soccer.
- Club Initiatives: Ontario Soccer Clubs will be provided with resources, tools, and support to host their own GeneratiON26 events, creating local, impactful experiences that enhance engagement and inclusivity.
- Volunteer Leader Recruitment and Development: Ontario Soccer’s key programs—such as coaching clinics, match official workshops, and other development initiatives—will be enhanced with the GeneratiON26 brand, ensuring the values of community, inclusivity, and growth are woven into all aspects of the soccer experience.
“As the Bank of Soccer in Canada, BMO is committed to supporting the growth and inclusivity of the game across the country,” said Jennifer Carli, Head of Brand and Sponsorships at BMO. “GeneratiON26 is an exciting movement that will empower every Ontarian to connect even more with soccer, no matter their background or experience level. We look forward to bringing this vision to life and seeing it inspire generations to come.”
Fans and participants are encouraged to follow Ontario Soccer’s social channels for more updates on upcoming festivals, programs, and special events.
About Ontario Soccer
Founded in 1901, Ontario Soccer is currently comprised of more than 500 Clubs servicing over 24,000 teams with 380,000 registered players, 70,000 coaches and managers, and 7,200 match officials, as well as countless volunteers, parents and supporters encompassing a direct, multi-cultural community of over 1,000,000 Ontarians.
Ontario Soccer develops and delivers exceptional and sustainable programs and services throughout Ontario with the mission of providing leadership and support for the advancement of soccer in collaboration and cooperation with our member District Associations and Clubs, partners and other stakeholders. Ontario Soccer owns and operates the Zanchin Automotive Soccer Centre in Vaughan, Ontario as well operating the Ontario Player Development League (OPDL); the province’s premier standards-based youth development program, as well as “Team Ontario”, Ontario Soccer’s Provincial Xcel program. Ontario Soccer proudly supports Canada Soccer’s National Teams, the Canadian Premier League, Toronto FC and the new Northern Super League.
The overall objective of Ontario Soccer, as a hub for Coach, Match Official and Player Development, is to be innovators and leaders in sport and to assist with the equitable development of soccer as a healthy lifestyle choice, provide a talented pathway for participants to excel and encourage inclusive community involvement at all levels.
For more information about GeneratiON26 and upcoming events, please visit www.ontariosoccer.net.
About BMO Financial Group
BMO Financial Group is the seventh largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of $1.4 trillion as of April 30, 2025. Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a diverse team of highly engaged employees providing a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management, global markets and investment banking products and services to 13 million customers across Canada, the United States, and in select markets globally. Driven by a single purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, BMO is committed to driving positive change in the world, and making progress for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and inclusive society.
Media Contact(s)
Ben Lungo
Manager, Digital Strategy and Communications
Ontario Soccer
blungo@ontariosoccer.net
905-264-9390 x 255
Kate Simandl
Kate.simandl@bmo.com
BMO Public Relations