CFL franchise in Quebec City: project targets 2030–2031

Quebec City could become home to the Canadian Football League’s (CFL) tenth team, according to information published by radio station FM93 on 23 September 2026. Property developer William Trudel is reportedly leading the project, which would aim to bring a team to the city in 2030–2031. Several aspects remain unconfirmed, however, including the stadium and how the project would be delivered.

William Trudel reportedly leading the project

According to FM93 presenter Sylvain Bouchard, William Trudel, property developer and chief executive of Trudel Group, is the man behind efforts to bring a CFL franchise to Quebec City. The station also reports that league commissioner Stewart Johnston met the businessman at a Quebec City restaurant in the preceding weeks.

This meeting is one of the concrete developments reported in the story. On its own, however, it does not establish that the city has been awarded a team or that a final agreement has been signed.

The project also appears to have been under way for some time. FM93 notes that, in June, Sylvain Bouchard had already said that active efforts to establish a team had been ongoing for a year. The September report therefore chiefly identifies the person behind the project and provides further details of discussions with the league.

A vote supporting the possibility of adding Quebec City

FM93 reports that the owners of the CFL’s nine existing teams voted unanimously on 9 September in favour of the possibility of adding Quebec City to the league. Montreal Alouettes owner Pierre Karl Péladeau is among the owners mentioned in the report.

The scope of this vote needs to be described precisely: it concerns the possibility of adding Quebec City. The report does not present it as the definitive award of a tenth franchise.

For readers in the franchising sector, this distinction matters. Support for potential expansion and a confirmed launch are not equivalent announcements. The available information describes a project prompting action and interest within the league, but not yet a team ready to begin operating.

Two separate costs and a long-term target

Two figures stand out in FM93’s reporting. Bringing a CFL franchise to the city would reportedly carry an initial cost of C$25 million. Separately, the league is said to be seriously considering building a 25,000-seat stadium on the Colisée site, at a cost of C$350 million.

These amounts must be kept clearly separate. The first is presented as the initial cost of bringing in the franchise; the second relates to the proposed stadium. The available information does not detail how these costs would be financed or shared between potential partners.

It would therefore be premature to treat these figures as a complete project budget or to assume any specific public or private financial contribution. Likewise, the suggested location is an option under consideration, not a construction project announced as approved or under way.

According to FM93, the CFL is targeting the new team’s arrival in 2030–2031. This, too, remains a reported target rather than a firm start date.

Understanding what ‘franchise’ means here

In this story, the word ‘franchise’ refers to a sports team within a league. The project should not automatically be equated with opening a franchised business. Nor does the available information describe any investment opportunity for prospective commercial franchisees.

For anyone following developments, the next points to look for are specific: a final decision on the team, a detailed funding structure and firm commitments on the stadium. These would help distinguish the stated ambition from the practical conditions needed to make it happen.

Key takeaway: the Quebec City project is worth watching, but this report alone should not be taken as confirmation of either a team launch or a commercial franchise opportunity. Before making any business decision, the practical approach is to await confirmation of the franchise award, funding and timetable.