What is the Ontario Premier League and how are its tiers set up?

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The Ontario Premier League (OPL) is run by League1 Ontario Inc. and is sanctioned by FIFA through Canada Soccer and Ontario Soccer. Clubs ("licence holders") hold the exclusive rights to enter teams in the main tiers. This guide uses the league's 2026 League Operations and Game Day Manual (https://oplsoccer.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-OPL-Operations-and-Game-Day-Manual_v16_2.pdf). Men's and women's pyramids: OPL1 (tier 1), OPL2 (tier 2) and OPL3 (tier 3). U20 divisions: men's and women's OPL U20 are development leagues that sit outside the pyramid. Pro-Am: OPL1 and OPL2 are called the Pro-Am Soccer Leagues, and clubs can enter either all-amateur or professional teams. OPL3 and the U20 divisions are all-amateur only. "A", "B" and "C" teams: a club whose "A" team is in OPL1 or OPL2 must also enter a "B" team in OPL3 and may enter a "C" team in the U20 division. A club's "A" team in OPL3 must enter a "B" team in the U20 division. A club cannot enter more than three teams of one gender without written dispensation. Match format: two 45-minute halves with a 15-minute half-time. Three points for a win, one for a draw. Professional or amateur: a professional is paid to play by the club at no less than the minimum annual salary in Ontario Soccer's Standards for High Performance Senior Leagues. An amateur registers largely or entirely without expectation of financial remuneration. Scope: this guide covers only the Ontario Premier League. Other premier leagues in the group (BC, Alberta, Prairies) are not covered.