The ongoing saga continues with the question of “will they or won’t they” and in recent conversation with some of the Whitecap supporters it looks like they aren’t gaining any popularity as we are hearing.
This isn’t the first time we have heard of a Vancouver based franchise wanting money or telling the City and their fan base that they need additional funds to operate.
Reflecting back the days of the Vancouver Grizzlies era after they were owned by Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment, who also owned the Canucks and abruptly sold the following day after he (Michael Heisley) stood up in front of the crowd at (then) GM Place and made an attempt to sing the anthem.
The next day they were moved to Memphis stating in the final season in Vancouver the company was losing US$40 million per season.
The Grizzlies had been created as an expansion team along with the Toronto Raptors in 1995 playing in Vancouver for the six seasons.
In 1999, Bill Laurie, owner of the NHL’s St. Louis Blues, attempted to buy the Grizzlies, with the intent to move it to St. Louis.
The following is a release we received and wanted to pass it on for your reading pleasure.
You make the choice – stay or move – Yes or No?
An investor group led by Las Vegas businessman Grant Gustavson has submitted a formal bid to Major League Soccer (MLS) to buy the Vancouver Whitecaps and relocate the club.
According to a statement to Global News, Gustavson has committed to building a stadium for the Whitecaps in Las Vegas with an offer of another venue in the meantime, while the permanent venue is built.
“In the coming weeks and months, we look forward to the opportunity to share more, however, out of respect for the league’s deliberations and community stakeholders, we are refraining from sharing details of our proposal,” the statement from Gustavson’s PR firm stated.
“We look forward to continuing to work for a positive outcome for the game, the fans, the league and Las Vegas.”
The Whitecaps have been up for sale since late 2024, but the club has reported there have been no “viable offers” to keep the team in Vancouver.
Vancouver Whitecaps fans rallied outside the FIFA congress in Vancouver on Thursday morning, urging stakeholders to keep the team in the city.
The premier’s office confirmed that David Eby had a short but constructive meeting with the MLS commissioner, Don Garber, on Wednesday.
Eby said in a video posted on X that he is fighting hard to keep the team in Vancouver, saying that losing them was “not an option.”
Vancouver Whitecaps FC now have their 2026 Leagues Cup schedule confirmed, as the ‘Caps get set to welcome Atlante FC to BC Place on Tuesday, August 4.
Atlante, traditionally one of the biggest clubs in Mexico and playing out of the famed Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, replaces Maztlán FC to make their return to Liga MX for the first time since 2014.
Atlante has won three Liga MX titles, and the club twice won the Concacaf Champions Cup in 1983 and 2008-09.
Whitecaps FC will also host FC Juárez on Friday, August 7, before ending the group phase with a first-ever Leagues Cup trip to Mexico to take on Tigres UANL at Estadio Universitario on Tuesday, August 11.
This past Sunday marked 100 days until the League Cup. Tickets through groups, partial plans, and premium are available by contacting a Whitecaps FC rep, and public tickets will go on sale June 1. The opening match against Atlante FC on Tuesday, August 4 is included for all Whitecaps FC season ticket members.
- Tuesday, August 4 vs. Atlante FC – BC Place
- Friday, August 7 vs. FC Juárez – BC Place
- Tuesday, August 11 vs. Tigres UANL – Estadio Universitario
Whitecaps FC have never faced either Atlante FC or FC Juárez.
FC Juárez were founded in 2015, and have been steadily growing in Liga MX, having their best finish in the last Apertura, making it all the way to the playoff quarterfinals before falling to eventual champions Toluca 2-1 on aggregate.
Tigres has become the most frequent international rival for Whitecaps FC. The ‘Caps have played five matches against the Mexican giants in recent years, including the 2016-17 Concacaf Champions League semifinals, the 2023 Leagues Cup Round of 32, and Round One in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup. Whitecaps FC are currently ninth in the Concacaf Club Rankings, while Tigres are fourth.
Leagues Cup, an official Concacaf-sanctioned tournament and a qualifier for the Concacaf Champions Cup, will be held after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, reigniting the regional rivalry between MLS and Liga MX.
Phase one features three matches for each team, all played between MLS and Liga MX, with separate tables for each league.
The top four teams from each league table then advance to the knockout rounds, again featuring only MLS vs. Liga MX matchups.
- MLS 1 vs. LIGA MX 4
- MLS 2 vs. LIGA MX 3
- MLS 3 vs. LIGA MX 2
- MLS 4 vs. LIGA MX 1
The four advancing clubs will compete in the two semifinal matches. The Leagues Cup 2026 Third Place match and Final will determine the three clubs that qualify for the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup.
