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Vancouver Leaders Move to Keep Whitecaps as MLS Weighs Las Vegas Bid

A relocation offer to move the club to Las Vegas remains active with no local buyer yet identified.

Overview

  • The City of Vancouver, B.C., three local First Nations, and stadium owner PavCo issued a joint statement Thursday pledging work with private partners to improve BC Place economics, add sponsors, and study new stadium sites.
  • A high-level meeting at the Fairmont Pacific Rim brought government, Indigenous leaders, MLS, FIFA, and Whitecaps officials into the same room for talks described as positive.
  • The club said it was encouraged by the progress and that next steps include formal proposals to make the franchise more attractive to local ownership groups.
  • The team has been for sale since December 2024, and an investor group led by Grant Gustavson has bid to buy the club and relocate it to Las Vegas with a privately financed soccer stadium.
  • The Whitecaps say revenue limits at BC Place have deterred local investors, and supporters have launched a visible “Save The Caps” push to keep the team in Vancouver.