The inaugural game of Hamilton's new soccer team, Forge FC, has one notable difference from most other major sporting events. Admission into the first-ever game is free.

Forge FC is Hamilton's entry into the Canadian Premier League, an emerging professional Canadian soccer league. The team will face off against York9 FC for the league's inaugural game Saturday at 1 p.m.

The game will be broadcast live on CBC TV in addition to the free admission at Tim Hortons Field, in an effort to draw a large audience and appeal to Canadian soccer fans.

Numbers-wise, the team hopes to set a new record for sporting event turnout at the venue.

"This is a group of technically gifted players with the mentality to attack and defend with vigour," said Forge FC head coach Bobby Smyrniotis, "and they're ready to get the ball rolling."

Before the introduction of the CPL, there were really only three options for devoutly-Canadian soccer players looking to go pro — Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver MLS teams, said Barton St. Battalion organizer Allan Gorman.

Build it and they'll come

The Barton St. Battalion, a Hamilton soccer supporters group, had 75 members present at the initial unveiling of Forge FC. At Saturday's game, they'll have over 540 members standing in support of the home-team.

"We formed as soon as there were fumes of a rumour that there might be a premier league and Hamilton might get a team," Gorman said.

Canada's soccer scene is rife with fans who want to see young athletes compete in up-tempo games, Smyrniotis said. And Forge FC won't let them down.

Over 540 members of the Barton St. Battalion will attend the inaugural CPL game Saturday. (Barton St. Battalion/Facebook)

The CPL is unique to Gorman and his band of supporters in that it requires teams to draft more than half of their players domestically. At least three of those Canadians have to be under the age of 21.

Hamilton's team is made up of 16 Canadian players and four international players. They all may be largely unknown right now, but that will certainly change after Saturday's game and the coming season, Smyrniotis said.

He hopes the CPL will "fundamentally shifts things" by creating better opportunities for Canadian soccer players to pursue professional careers at home, instead of playing in — mainly American — foreign leagues.

Wanting to stay home

There's been a big push from the public to see more investment in Canadian soccer players and teams, Smyrniotis said, as well as the desire to build a strong national team that can advance to the international stage.

"It will provide a real chance to qualify Canada and have them seriously compete in the World Cup," Gorman said. "It's so important."

Head coach Bobby Smyrniotis believes the CPL will serve as a way of readying Canadian players for the international stage. (Sigma FC/Twitter)

More Canadian players on the field will also serve as inspiration for young soccer players across the country. It gives them something to aspire to, Smyrniotis said.

The team has been formed largely as a result of the backing and support of Hamilton Ticats owner Bob Young, who has pursued a franchise for the city alongside the building of the new stadium.

The CPL is a rare example of a North American league attempting to develop a club-based model — commonly seen throughout Europe — instead of a franchise-based model such as Major League Soccer.

Fans eager to get their game on prior to kickoff can join the Barton St. Battalion at Stonewalls from 7-9 p.m. on Friday to have a pint and practice game-chants.