Whitecaps and City of Vancouver Sign MOU to Explore Stadium Plans
The City of Vancouver and Vancouver Whitecaps FC have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enter an exclusive negotiation period through 2026 to explore a new stadium and entertainment district at Hastings Racecourse Park. This agreement marks a significant step toward creating a world-class sports and cultural destination for residents and visitors.
The MOU establishes an exclusive negotiation period through December 31, 2026. During this time, the City and Whitecaps FC will work collaboratively to negotiate terms for a ground lease, including the stadium’s design, financial terms and community benefits for the proposed development.
The proposed lease area is within the current Hastings Racecourse Park footprint, which includes space recently used for racecourse and casino operations. The City will retain ownership of the land at Hastings Racecourse Park. Both parties also recognize the Tsleil-Waututh Nation’s agreement to purchase the casino business currently operating on the site.
The project will undergo all required regulatory approvals and public processes, including zoning and development applications. The City and Whitecaps FC are committed to transparency and engagement throughout the planning process.
Next steps include preliminary planning and design proposals for the site and intensified negotiations for a potential ground lease.
Looking Ahead – Key Dates
Heading into the offseason, some key dates for the club include:
- December 11: MLS Re-Entry Draft Stage 1 (10:00am)
- December 11: End-of-Year Waivers (2:00pm)
- December 17: MLS Re-Entry Draft Stage 2 (2:00pm)
- December 18: 2026 MLS SuperDraft (time TBD)
- January 13: Vancouver Whitecaps FC report date
Vancouver Whitecaps FC will face Club Sport Cartaginés in Round One of the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. The ‘Caps will play the first leg on the road in Costa Rica between February 17 to 19, with the second leg set for BC Place between February 24 to 26. The winner will move on to face Leagues Cup champions Seattle Sounders FC in the Round of 16, to be played between March 10 to 12 and March 17 to 19.
2026 Concacaf Champions Cup Schedule
- Round One: February 3-5 (Week 1), February 10-12 (Week 2), February 17-19 (Week 3), February 24-26 (Week 4)
- Round of 16: March 10-12, March 17-19
- Quarterfinals: April 7-9, April 14-16
- Semifinals: April 28-30, May 5-7
- Final: May 30
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