The league operated for six seasons from 1961 to 1966 across four cities in two Canadian provinces and one American state.
[2] According to Gross, the genesis for the league was formed from a conversation the two men had during the Christmas 1960 holidays.
Bosa promised the inclusion of his club Toronto Italia (champions of the National Soccer League) and arranged for the inclusion of the Hamilton Steelers (backed by John Agro and Arnold Martini); Gross helped form Toronto City FC (with Ed Fitkin, Steve Stavro and Laddie Myslivec) and arranged for the inclusion of Montréal Cantalia FC (run by Dr. Ernest Stastny).
[3][4] The league typically operated from May to September, which initially allowed Canadian clubs to sign European-based players for the summer season.
On 19 April 1962, FIFA ruled that players could not switch clubs without a proper transfer.
Matches were played at Varsity Stadium in Toronto, Civic Centre in Hamilton, and Stade Delorimier in Montréal.
Montréal Cantalia, the 1961 playoff champions, withdrew from the league, as did proposed entries Ukraina and Hungária SC from the same city.
In the second half of the season, Wednesday night matches at Varsity Stadium were broadcast live through a television deal with O'Keefe beer.