Each CPL club's top-selling shirts in 2024
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and although it may be several weeks later than that of Major League Soccer, the time has come for the definitive list of top-selling Canadian Premier League shirts.
The below rankings are organized by club and include some of the names you'd expect — centurions who have helped build the league, match by match — but also youngsters climbing the professional ranks and fan favourites who have carved out homes in their respective markets.
To note, all clubs track shirt sales differently; this has resulted in some reporting discrepancies but hopefully more information will be made available in the future.
Forge FC — 1. Béni Badibanga 2. Tristan Borges 3. Kyle Bekker
Starting off with last year's North Star Cup winners, Forge's top-selling shirts included two club legends in Borges and Bekker. However, Badibanga has become a fan favourite in Hamilton, energizing Forge's supporters from the moment he first stepped onto the pitch in 2023. Badibanga's carried that momentum forward this year, featuring in 16 matches across all competitions for the Hammers while contributing three goals and two assists. He also may have the best name in the league.
Halifax Wanderers FC — 1. Dan Nimick 2. Lorenzo Callegari 3. Zachary Fernandez
The Wanderers may have started this year poorly but it's done little to dull the fervour of the club's faithful through the opening months of the season. In fact, Halifax's fortunes have turned of late, helped along by Nimick, who is a leader on the pitch — and in shirt sales. He's followed very closely by former PSG-man Callegari, who continues to serve as a staple of Patrice Gheisar's midfield. Rounding out the top-selling shirts is Fernandez; he's one of the longest tenured Wanderers and has earned the admiration of supporters for his hard-nosed style.
Cavalry FC — 1. Marco Carducci 2. Daan Klomp 3. Bradley Kamdem Fewo
Miraculously, Cavalry was able to retain almost the entirety of last year's regular season powerhouse and it's translated into shirt sales for some familiar faces. Leading the pack is former Golden Glove winner Carducci, a player admired throughout the league for both his play and great hair. (And if you haven't already, check out his testicular cancer fundraiser, 'Saving Oneball at a Time.') Next up is Klomp, who won Defender of the Year and CPL Player of the Year in 2023. And rounding out the group is second year Cavalry-man Kamdem Fewo, a player who proved his value down the stretch last year.
Pacific FC — 1. Olakunle Dada-Luke 2. Sean Young 3. Josh Heard / Ayman Sellouf
If nothing else, Pacific boasts one of the most fastidious front offices in the league; they were the first to respond to the information request and provided three years of data. Since 2022, Dada-Luke has consistently been amongst the top three selling shirts for the club, earning the title of most popular in 2024. Local hero Young followed up in second while captain Heard and attacker extraordinaire Sellouf sit tied for third. Going back to last season, Manny Aparicio and Amer Didic both cracked the top selling shirts list. Marcos Bustos' shirt was a fan favourite in 2022, earning gold, while Aparicio and Dada-Luke followed up.
Vancouver FC — 1. Rocco Romeo
Unfortunately, Vancouver was one of the club's only able to partially report shirt information but they were able to confirm Romeo has a following in the Lower Mainland, clocking in as their top-selling player shirt. This is Romeo's second season with the Eagles. Given the signing of several B.C. boys, it's not hard to imagine players like Ben Fisk, Paris Gee or David Norman Jr. filling out the list. If someone hasn't already, Hercules (the eagle which graces Vancouver's home matches) and his handler certainly deserve a shirt as well.
York United FC — 1. Dennis Salanović 2. Max Ferrari 3. Noah Abatneh
It's fair to say Salanović — and his blasé, devil-may-care attitude— has stolen the hearts of York United fans. He's got the number one selling shirt for the club and probably boasts the most rockstar post-match interview of any player this year. In contrast, Ferrari continues to be a stalwart and conscientious player for his hometown club both on and off the pitch. Last but not least is budding CPL star Abatneh, a defender who is turning heads with his steadiness at only 19-years old. Other honourable mentions go to Frank Sturing, Mo Babouli and Brian Wright.
Atlético Ottawa — 1. Kris Twardek 2. Ollie Bassett 3. Ballou Tabla
There's no shortage of star players in the nation's capital but the returning hometown kid (no, not Matteo de Brienne) takes the cake for moving shirts; Twardek's knee slide alone in his home debut guaranteed the sale of a few extra Atlético Ottawa kits. Coming up in second place is Bassett, who continues to be a fan favourite, while returnee Tabla edged out any other notable signings Ottléti may have made.
Valour FC — 1. Raphael Ohin
Last but not least is the original VFC. And like the other VFC, the club was only able to provide partial information but was able to share that captain Ohin's shirt was in demand. In fact, it's been a treat to watch Ohin this season after he's dealt with several lengthy injuries after a solid 2021 campaign which saw him make 28 appearances across all competitions for Valour. Hopefully, he can continue to stay healthy this year and earn a few more fans along the way.
