May 8 – Canada Soccer has said they want the Vancouver Whitecaps to remain in the city.
The MLS franchise’s place in Vancouver is under threat after a US group announced a formal offer last week to buy and relocate the team to Las Vegas, but Canada Soccer issued a statement on Thursday, confirming its commitment to help keep the club in Vancouver.
“From our discussions, the Whitecaps ownership has approached this process with a clear commitment to finding a sustainable local solution. It has also been evident that achieving the right result will require strong, coordinated collaboration among key partners – particularly from the provincial government, including relevant crown corporations, and those involved in critical infrastructure considerations,” said the statement.
“Canada Soccer encourages all stakeholders to work together with urgency, creativity, and flexibility to keep this club where it belongs: in Vancouver.”
Earlier this week, British Columbia Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon said that the provincial government had been approached by a local group that wants to buy the Whitecaps.
The ownership of the club has cited economic reasons related to the stadium, and access, for the reason to sell. The Whitecaps have a lease agreement with B.C. Place, but it restricts revenue generation on match days.
BC Place will host seven matches at the 2026 World Cup this summer.
Previously, the club issued a statement, emphasising that the current ownership’s first choice was to find a solution that keeps the club in Vancouver: “The club has faced well-documented structural challenges around stadium economics, venue access, and revenue limitations that have made it difficult to attract buyers committed to keeping the team in Vancouver. Over the past 16 months, we have had serious conversations with more than 100 parties, and to date, no viable offer has emerged that would keep the club here.”
“It remains the strong preference of this ownership group to find a solution in Vancouver.”
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