The National Lacrosse League’s worst-kept secret is finally official.

Halifax will be granted a new franchise for the 2019-2020 season, the league announced on Thursday. Rochester Knighthawks owner Curt Styres will own the club.

After months of speculation of how the Knighthawks franchise will be affected, Styres penned in a note shared by the team on Twitter he would be bringing the team to Nova Scotia.

“We had an incredible experience building the Knighthawks franchise in Rochester for the past 10 years, but it’s time for a new beginning,” Styres said. “We chose Halifax and Nova Scotia for a reason. It has a strong reputation for its loyal, passionate fans and the community has already started to feel like home.”

A letter from Owner Curt Styres to the fans pic.twitter.com/QovDoEeVif

— Knighthawks Lacrosse (@RocKnighthawks) September 13, 2018

The Knighthawks will play out the 2018-2019 season in Rochester, and once they move, the city won’t be without pro lacrosse.

The Pegula Sports and Entertainment Group will take over an expansion franchise in Rochester, it is expected to be announced later on Thursday.

“We are very proud to welcome the great city of Halifax, Nova Scotia, as a National Lacrosse League franchise. Known as a great events city with a passionate, loyal, and hungry fan base for major league sports, Halifax proved to be an ideal location for our league’s expansion in Canada,” NLL commissioner Nick Sakiewicz said in a statement. “Curt Styres is one of our longest standing and most passionate owners and I am sure he will bring his knack for winning to this great City just as he has in Rochester. This marks yet another exciting step towards the execution of our five-year plan.”

The decision breaks precedent in the league of one ownership group not controlling more than one franchise. The Pegulas’ rendition of an NLL team in Rochester will begin play the same season the Knighthawks embark on their first season in Halifax.

It still remains unclear if the new franchise will adopt the Knighthawks history, logo and uniforms.

Months ago, the NLL registered for a Halifax Privateers trademark, which is expected to be the team name of the new franchise.

The team will play out of Scotiabank Centre. According to reports, the team has a five-year agreement being negotiated with the Scotiabank Centre, with an option for a three-year extension.

“Our city, partners and customers are ready for the unprecedented mix of sport and entertainment the NLL will bring to Halifax,” Carrie Cussons, president and CEO of Scotiabank Centre, said in a statement. “We’re committed to providing our customers with a diverse mix of events and I can’t think of a better addition than professional lacrosse. We’re thrilled to welcome the NLL and Curt Styres to Halifax and can’t wait for the 2019-20 season!”

There are expected to be multiple more expansion teams announced for the 2019-2020 season and beyond in the coming weeks.

An announcement about a team located in New York is expected, and with the Pegulas now owning two franchises (they also own the Buffalo Bandits), multiple sources believe San Diego Seals owner Joseph Tsai, who is also majority owner of the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets, will be the controlling owner. It is expected that team will play out of Long Island.

The league also has a trademark out for a “Boston Shamrocks” name, which was initially reported on March 7, 2018. The controlling ownership group is believed to be involved with the TD Garden, with their mark on the filed trademark.

Multiple sources have also indicated to US Lacrosse Magazine another expansion team is set to be announced in the coming weeks based in the Bay Area of California. The Golden State Warriors of the NBA, according to sources, would be the controlling interest in that expansion club, and would play out of San Francisco.

When the three will be announced, or when they will begin play, is still up in the air.

A team in Halifax for the 2018-2019 season was in the works a year ago with a deadline of Halloween for the ownership group to file, but that initial plan fell through, leaving the pieces to fall into place for Styres to end up as the majority owner of the team.

That team was initially intended to be a part of the San Diego and Philadelphia expansion wave that will begin play this season.

Instead, Halifax will be a part of the second wave, in the third year of the NLL’s five-year plan that Sakiewicz cites.