By David Dasilva | September 23, 2025
Kingston will soon take its place on the provincial soccer map. The Kingston Sentinels, led by sports executive Paul Barbeau and Victory Group Ventures, are set to join League1 Ontario’s League2 Division in 2026, with both men’s and women’s teams playing at the INVISTA Centre’s CaraCo Home Field.
The move is being billed as the first step in a larger plan. Barbeau and his partners are working toward bringing a Canadian Premier League (CPL) franchise to Kingston in the near future, supported by the development of a year-round, soccer-specific facility that would serve both professional players and the wider community.
“Kingston is hungry for a team to rally behind,” Barbeau said. “We see this as more than just soccer. It’s about building a pathway for young athletes, giving fans something to be proud of, and creating a facility that serves the community year-round.”
Kingston, with more than 10,000 youth soccer players registered in the region, has long been viewed as an untapped market for higher-level play. The Sentinels aim to create a true pathway for local players, from grassroots to semi-professional to professional levels, while also positioning the city as a destination for top Canadian talent.
“For years, Kingston players have had to leave the city to pursue their soccer dreams,” Barbeau said. “Now we’ll have a structure in place where they can progress from grassroots soccer to League1 Ontario and, ultimately, professional play without leaving their hometown.”
The proposed facility is considered central to the plan, offering a year-round facility to address longstanding challenges for training and competition during winter months. Beyond housing the CPL club, the venue would become a hub for year-round player development and community programs.
“This facility is the cornerstone,” Barbeau added. “It ensures that Kingston athletes have access to world-class training environments 12 months of the year, while also creating a gathering place for families, schools, and community groups.”
With the Sentinels’ League1 Ontario debut already secured and long-term expansion plans in motion, organizers are now calling on investors and community partners to get involved.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” Barbeau said. “We’re inviting partners who want to help shape Kingston’s future as a soccer city. Together, we can put this community on the national stage.”
Interested parties are asked to contact Cosmos Sports & Entertainment at franchise@cosmossports.com
To learn more about Cosmos’ franchise sales services, visit cosmossports.com/sports-franchise-consulting/.
Our team of experts are ready to help you with your Sports & Entertainment needs
