With the exception of Pickering FC, 21 of the 22 clubs that took part in the 2022 season participated in 2023.[2] Because of the format changes planned for the following year, the league imposed a one-year moratorium on any new teams joining the league.[1][3]
On March 7, 2023, League1 Ontario announced that the Men's Premier Division season would begin on April 13 (later revised to April 12).[4][5] Each team will play 20 matches this season, one match against each opponent.
Source: League1 Ontario Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) goal differential; 4) goals for; 5) away goals differential; 6) away goals for; 7) home goals differential; 8) home goals for; 9) head-to-head record; 10) coin toss or drawing of lots.[6] (C) Champions Notes:
^Unionville Milliken's 2-0 victory over Windsor City was changed to a 3-0 loss, due to the fielding of an ineligible player
Playoffs
The top two seeds will earn a bye directly to the second round. After the first round, the teams will be re-seeded with the top seed playing the lowest ranked remaining seed.
Starting in 2024, the league will split into a multi-division format with promotion and relegation between them. Twelve teams will take part in the first-tier League1 Premier, ten teams in the second-tier League1 Championship, and all new expansion teams as well as reserve sides in a third-tier League2 Ontario.
The initial assignment of teams in the 2024 season is done by using the points obtained in the previous two years. The points from the 2022 season (weighted at 75%) will be added to the points teams obtain in the 2023 season (weighted at 100%) to determine the placements.[1]
Source: [citation needed] (Z) L1O license for 2024 revoked Notes:
^Woodbridge initially qualified for the League1 Championship. However, they were later promoted to the Premier Division to replace Electric City, upon their folding
^Pickering FC did not compete in the 2023 season. Their L1O license for 2024 was revoked.
U21 Reserve Division
The Reserve Division will return with each Premier Division club fielding one or more teams, as well as some other OPDL clubs that do not operate a League1 Ontario team.