Save the Caps – Keep Whitecaps FC in Vancouver

by Rebecca Bollwitt Tuesday, April 28th, 2026 — 12:15pm PDT

Whitecaps FC have been for sale for over a year and the club’s lease at BC Place expires at the end of 2026. MLS Commissioner Don Garber has called the situation “untenable” and has not ruled out relocation as early as 2027, which would mark the first MLS franchise move in over two decades. The #SaveTheCaps campaign is gaining momentum to keep Vancouver’s team in Vancouver.

Vancouver Whitecaps Playoffs at BC Place - Miss604 Bollwitt Photo — Vancouver Whitecaps Playoffs at BC Place – Miss604 Bollwitt Photo

Without a home stadium, the incentive for potential buyers to keep the team in Vancouver is dwindling and this opens the team up to potential relocation. The ‘Caps current ownership group that includes Greg Kerfoot, Steve Luczo, Jeff Mallett and former NBA star Steve Nash announced the team was up for sale in December 2024. They have said that the priority was keeping the Whitecaps in Vancouver.

Save the Caps – Keep Whitecaps FC in Vancouver

In April of 2026, Whitecaps supporters groups launched a #SaveTheCaps website:

The Vancouver Whitecaps have called this city home since 1974. Fifty-two years of history. An MLS Cup Final. 54,000 fans in the stands. The fans have shown up, and now it’s time for the city and province to do the same.

A few months ago we released a statement about the situation with the club. Now, the league is talking about potential candidates for relocation.

The football scene in Vancouver, Canada, and North America is poorer without the inclusion of the Vancouver Whitecaps. Our city is a football city with a strong culture. We cannot, and will not allow our club to leave.

It’s now time to #SaveTheCaps.

You can count on us to fight this cause wherever it takes us. We ask our friends in the city, league and continent to repost this campaign, use our resources to paint/print visible banners, and tell everyone you know that our club belongs in Vancouver BC.

As tenants at a government-owned venue, the Whitecaps receive less than 12% of matchday revenue — among the lowest ratios in all of MLS. Despite averaging over 21,000 fans a game and selling out BC Place twice in 2025, the club sits at the bottom of the league in revenue.

Cities including Indianapolis, Sacramento, Las Vegas, and Phoenix have already been monitoring the situation and a New York Times article on April 27th didn’t help with relocation rumours.

Vancouver is a Soccer City

Vancouver Whitecaps have a history going back to 1974 and they rank among the top MLS teams in attendance, recently averaging over 20,000 fans per match.

In December of 2025, the City of Vancouver and the Whitecaps signed a memorandum of understanding to enter an exclusive negotiation until December 31, 2026 regarding a new stadium at Hastings Park. There have been no further comments or upates on this.

We enjoyed this episode from COPA90 that speaks to Vancouver as Canada’s Soccer Capital:

Latest Statements

Statement from Vancouver Whitecaps FC on April 27, 2026:

We are aware of today’s reporting. 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. If there is a local ownership group with the vision and resources to chart a path forward, we urge them to come forward.

Statement from City of Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim on April 28, 2026:

“The Whitecaps have been Vancouver’s club since 1974. Many things have changed throughout the years: the players, the logos, the kits, and the stadiums, just to name a few. The one thing that has never changed is Vancouver’s love of this team.

“The Whitecaps are one of the top teams in the MLS, they were the runners up in last year’s championship, and they sit in the top ten of league attendance at an average of 24,000+ per game. While we understand that professional sports is a complex business, it would be a mistake for any team to leave a market with such a longstanding history and ready-made fanbase.

“The City of Vancouver has done its part to create a path forward for the team’s future here by offering prime space at Hastings Park for the Whitecaps to construct a new stadium and entertainment district.

“Now, we face the difficult part.

“BC Place is owned and operated by the Provincial Government. In fact, it’s the only stadium owned and operated by a government found anywhere in the MLS. In order for the team to stay in Vancouver, the Whitecaps and Province must sign a bridge deal that will allow BC Place to become viable in the near term while a new stadium can be designed and built.

“That’s why today, we are calling on the team’s ownership to publicly and clearly articulate what they need to stay here in Vancouver, and we are calling on the Provincial Government to come to the table and make that a reality.

“To all Vancouver Whitecaps fans, to the Southsiders, and to all of the supporter groups, we need you to keep the fight going. We need you to stay strong, and we need you to stay loud.

“Losing the Whitecaps is not an option. #SAVETHECAPS”

What You Can Do to Help

Sign the wall on the Save the Caps website and follow updates from the Southsiders, Raincity Brigade, The Sisters, Vancouver Albion, and Costal Guardians supporter groups for the latest updates and how you can show your support.