The Vancouver Whitecaps' future in the city is uncertain.
In a press conference held at the club's training ground on Friday, CEO and sporting director Axel Schuster said that despite positive conversations with BC Place about renewing and restructuring their agreement, talks have now stalled.
"On our side, it feels that things have come to an end," said Schuster. "I would say the challenges we have, and that we have raised, cannot be addressed in a way that really improves our situation in a meaningful way, so it was time to be transparent and share with everyone: where do we play these games?"
The Whitecaps have been for sale since December 2024, and Schuster revealed that "more than 30, almost 40 groups" have signed NDAs and analyzed the situation. However, he added that, as of now, "no one, not one single one, is interested in buying even one percent of this club, because all of them think that our setup here, the market, and the situation we are in is not something you can invest in, as long as things don't change."
"This situation underscores the broader challenge: the current structure makes it extraordinarily difficult for Whitecaps FC to operate sustainably, regardless of our on-field success, record attendance numbers, or BC Place's willingness to help within the boundaries they face."
BC Place, which has been home to the 'Caps since 2011, is a Crown corporation owned by the provincial government. As a result, it faces limitations in how it can structure agreements and provide financial support to tenants. In his letter to season ticket holders, Schuster acknowledged that BC Place "has made us an offer for the upcoming season that represents the maximum they are able to provide within their constraints," and that their attempt represents a "genuine" effort within the "limitations they face."
With BC Place set to host FIFA World Cup matches this summer, the Whitecaps have been forced to play eight of their first nine MLS matches at home, followed by nearly three months on the road.
The stadium will also undergo renovations during the first half of the season, potentially disrupting the normal matchday experience.
In a letter sent to season ticket holders on Friday, Schuster confirmed that the club will need to host some cup matches at different venues with smaller capacities, and that if the 'Caps advance to the semi-finals and final of the Concacaf Champions Cup, they would not be able to host those matches at BC Place.
"Unfortunately, this challenge extends beyond 2026," Schuster wrote in the email. "It reflects deeper structural constraints that make it harder for Whitecaps FC to compete at the highest level and undermines Vancouver's ability to sustain world-class professional soccer."
The club enjoyed a highly successful 2025 season, winning the Canadian Championship for a fourth consecutive year, reaching the finals of both the Concacaf Champions Cup and MLS Cup, and breaking their MLS-era attendance record by drawing 53,957 fans to their playoff victory over LAFC in November.
In December, the City of Vancouver and the Whitecaps signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to enter an exclusive negotiation period through 2026, exploring the possibility of a new stadium and entertainment district at Hastings Park.
The MOU allows both parties to negotiate the terms of a ground lease, the construction of a new stadium, and the financial framework for the club’s potential move to the site.
Under the agreement, the city will not contribute any public funding toward the stadium or surrounding development, and will retain ownership of the land.
The Whitecaps begin their 2026 season on Wednesday, February 18, when they travel to Costa Rica to face C.S. Cartaginés in Leg 1 of their Round One series.
The club has also been active in the transfer market, recently signing Ecuadorian forward Bruno Caicedo and midfielder Aziel Jackson, while re-signing defender Belal Halbouni to a new contract through June 2027, with a club option for the 2027–28 season.
