Canada SCORES Toronto Partners with York United FC for 2025 Season Charity Campaign
Canada SCORES Toronto is proud to announce an exciting new partnership with York United FC, a Canadian Premier League club. This marks the first official professional team partnership since Canada SCORES Toronto launched in early 2024. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to youth development, education, and community engagement through the power of sport.
Empowering Youth Through Soccer & Service
Through this multi-faceted partnership, youth from our free after-school programs, known as Poet-Athletes, will:
Attend York United FC home matches at York Lions Stadium
Welcome pro players to their schools for mentorship visits throughout the school year
These unique experiences provide our students with positive role models, access to local professional sports, and a deeper connection to their communities.
Launching the Canada SCORES x York United 50/50 Raffle Campaign
The partnership was officially announced during York United’s season home opener on April 13, 2025, with even more exciting news:
Canada SCORES Toronto is the official charitable partner of York United FC for the entire 2025 season.
As part of this collaboration, a 50/50 Raffle Fundraiser will take place at every York United home game, with the first raffle launching on Sunday, April 27, during the much-anticipated Ontario Derby between York United FC and Forge FC.
How the 50/50 Raffle Works
Online ticket sales open 2 hours before kickoff for each home match
Tickets can be purchased online and in-stadium
Sales end at the 70th minute of the match
A winner is selected using a random number generator
The winning number is announced after the 80th minute and shared on:
Canada SCORES and York United social media channels
Winning payouts begin within 7 days of confirmation
The upcoming match is being dubbed the Ontario Derby, as York United FC will be welcoming Forge FC from Hamilton to York Lions Stadium. This match-up is sure to attract a great fanbase for both the home and visiting team, and we welcome all supporters to purchase raffle tickets and support the cause!
Raffle ticket sales will open online two hours prior to the kickoff of every home match this season. Sales will continue online and in the stadium up to the 70th minute of live action, at which time a winner will be picked by a random number generator. The winning ticket will be announced following the 80th minute of play, and the winning raffle number will be posted online on the raffle page 24 hours following each respective match day. Winners will also be announced over social media channels. Following the appropriate confirmation of a winning ticket, Canada SCORES will begin the payment process to the winner, which may take up to 7 days to process.
The rules of play for the raffle, as required by the AGCO, can be found here.
For a complete list of York United Home Matches, click here.
To learn more about Canada SCORES Toronto and stay connected with us online, click here.
About Canada SCORES Toronto
Canada SCORES Toronto is a nonprofit organization providing free after-school programs that integrate soccer, poetry, and community service to empower youth. Through mentorship and leadership development, we help students build confidence, stay engaged in school, and make a difference in their communities.
Our mission is to inspire youth to live healthy lives, become engaged learners, and grow into confident, compassionate leaders. Canada SCORES is part of the America SCORES network, originally founded as a legacy initiative following the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
About York United FC
York United FC is a professional soccer club based in the Greater Toronto Area, competing in the Canadian Premier League (CPL). Founded in 2019, the team is committed to representing the vibrant and diverse community of York Region with passion and pride. York United's home matches are played at York Lions Stadium, where fans gather to cheer on their team with unwavering support. With a focus on developing local talent and providing an exciting brand of soccer, York United is dedicated to growing the sport in Canada while striving for success both domestically and internationally. The club embraces its role as a community-oriented organization, aiming to inspire the next generation of soccer players and fans. For more updates and information, please visit CanPL.ca.
For more information, please contact:
Nick Taylor
Executive Director
Canada SCORES Toronto
416-400-1510
nick@canadascores.org
Mariano Sanchez
Public Relations and Communications Manager
York United FC
mariano@yorkunitedfc.ca
Support Youth Programs in the GTA
Proceeds from the raffle will directly support Canada SCORES Toronto’s free after-school programs, which combine soccer, poetry, and community service to help underserved youth in the GTA find their voice and build a brighter future.
This partnership not only brings visibility to our mission but also creates a memorable way for fans to give back while also getting a chance to win big!
