Vancouver business leaders seek solution to stop Whitecaps from moving out of city
Posted May 13, 2026 9:42 am.
Last Updated May 13, 2026 5:11 pm.
The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade is urging businesses to help keep the Vancouver Whitecaps in the city amid uncertainty surrounding the club’s future.
The organization says hundreds of businesses have signed an open letter supporting efforts to keep the Major League Soccer team in Vancouver by exploring sponsorships, partnerships and ticket programs aimed at addressing the club’s revenue challenges.
“For more than 50 years the Vancouver Whitecaps have called our great city home, and that is how it should remain. The ‘Caps are a storied club and a pillar of the community, and we, the undersigned declare our support and commitment to contribute and help find ways to close the existing revenue gap to ensure that the ‘Caps continue to play in Vancouver,” read the letter.
The Whitecaps have been up for sale since December 2024, and an investor group recently submitted a bid to MLS seeking to buy the club and move it to Las Vegas.
“Beyond the joy and pride that they bring to this city, the Whitecaps are also critical to the local economy, with each season bringing hundreds of thousands of fans to the downtown core. Their absence would reverberate far beyond the vibrancy they create on matchdays. From celebrating our diversity, creating spaces for the sport to grow, and giving children across the province accessible pathways to professionalism,” says the statement from Vancouver businesses.
The club has cited revenue limitations at the provincially owned B.C. Place Stadium as a hurdle in attracting a local buyer.
“The business community stands firmly behind the team. We urge all parties involved to come to the table and do the work required to find a made-in-Vancouver solution that keeps the Whitecaps where they belong.”
Premier David Eby is scheduled to meet this week with representatives from the Whitecaps, MLS, the City of Vancouver and local First Nations to discuss keeping the team in Vancouver.
The board of trade says the Whitecaps impact is significant and multifaceted. Beyond the direct jobs created by the club, each season draws hundreds of thousands of fans into the downtown area.
This foot traffic supports local hospitality, retail, and transit sectors. The club’s youth academies and community programs provide accessible pathways for athletes across B.C., fostering a sports system that benefits the entire province.
“We invite any business, from local restaurants and retail to major corporations, that believes in the importance of the Whitecaps to Vancouver’s identity. By standing together, we show that the business community is not just a spectator, but a partner in the club’s future success.”
