HFX Wanderers FC

Foundation

In December 2016, Sports & Entertainment Atlantic owner Derek Martin met with Canadian Premier League officials to discuss launching a franchise in Halifax. Martin pitched the idea of a pop-up stadium to Halifax City Councillors in March 2017, and approval was given three months later. On May 5, 2018, Halifax was one of four groups accepted by the Canadian Soccer Association for professional club membership.

HFX Wanderers Football Club was officially unveiled on May 25, 2018, as the third team to join the Canadian Premier League. As well as confirming their place in the league for the 2019 launch season, the club also revealed their crest, colours and branding. Stephen Hart was also announced as the club's inaugural manager.

On July 28, 2018, HFX Wanderers FC fielded an Atlantic Selects team to play a friendly against Fortuna Düsseldorf's under-21 squad at Wanderers Grounds. The Atlantic Selects won on penalties after a 2–2 score in regulation time. The official attendance was 4,809.

First seasons

The club played its first league match on April 28, 2019, a 0–1 away loss to Pacific FC. On May 4, 2019, the team defeated Forge FC 2–1 for its first-ever league victory. Trinidadian international Akeem Garcia opened the scoring and became the first league goal scorer in club history.

The 2020 season was shortened and modified because of the COVID-19 pandemic and branded as The Island Games because all matches were held on Prince Edward Island. The Wanderers advanced to the final, falling 0–2 to Forge FC in the final match. Akeem Garcia won the Golden Boot with six goals and Stephen Hart won the CPL's Coach of the Year award.

The 2021 season was also modified due to COVID-19 health restrictions, and the first portion of the season was held entirely at IG Field in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Upon returning to Halifax, the Wanderers were only able to play in front of season ticket holders in order to limit crowd sizes. Finally, the public was once again allowed to purchase tickets to the Canadian Championship game against CF Montréal, and the 6,413 spectators set a new attendance record. Although the Wanderers finished the season in 6th place, João Morelli won the league's Golden Boot by scoring 14 goals, a CPL record at the time, and the CPL Player of the Year award.

In April 2022 in the second match of the season, star striker Morelli suffered a season-ending ACL injury in a match against Atlético Ottawa. After the disappointing 2022 campaign, Stephen Hart was relieved as team manager, and Patrice Gheisar was brought in to replace him. It was announced in March 2023 that Morelli would miss at least the first half of the 2023 season as he recovered from the previous year's surgery.