Gloucester Celtic won the Challenge Trophy on October 12, beating Vancouver ICSF Columbus FC 3-1 at Julian de Guzman Park in Ottawa. The victory gave the club its fourth national title and its first on home turf in the nation’s capital.

Joey Kewin, Cristopher Malekos and Luca Piccioli scored for the Ottawa side. Canada Soccer recorded an attendance of 1,017, giving the host club a substantial home crowd for the final.

Gloucester Celtic completed a perfect three-match tournament, scored 11 goals and conceded two.

A fourth title in 14 years

Gloucester Celtic had already won Canada’s national amateur men’s title in 2013, 2022 and 2024. The 2026 victory adds another Challenge Trophy to the Ottawa club’s rapid run of success.

Canada Soccer’s official championship record lists Gloucester Celtic as the 2026 winner. Its three-match campaign produced:

  • 11 goals scored
  • 2 goals conceded
  • 3 victories

Ottawa gets its home final

The 2026 championships marked the first time Canada Soccer’s national amateur finals were hosted in Ottawa. Gloucester Celtic entered the event as the host club and finished the week by lifting the trophy in front of local supporters.

The setting gave the result added weight. Gloucester had won national titles away from Ottawa before. This time, the celebration unfolded at Julian de Guzman Park, with the club’s home community watching from the stands.

Gloucester takes control early

Kewin opened the scoring in the fifth minute after a pass from Kelvin Asabre. Malekos and Piccioli added first-half goals, putting Gloucester in control before Vancouver responded through Matteo Polisi in the second half.

Vancouver ICSF Columbus FC finished as national runners-up. The club had previously won the Challenge Trophy four times, in 1964, 1969, 1977 and 1978, according to Canada Soccer’s championship report.

For Gloucester Celtic, the 3-1 result was more than another title. It completed Ottawa’s first national championship week with the trophy staying in the city where the tournament was played.