A \u201cspecial committee\u201d of Major League Soccer owners discussed the possibility of the Whitecaps moving to the United States, according to a report from\u00a0Paul Tenorio and Tom Bogert in The Athletic<\/a>. Las Vegas was apparently the \u201cchief option\u201d discussed, and MLS has spoken to a group that wants to bring a team to Sin City.<\/p>\n Phoenix is also reportedly a \u201ctop contender\u201d to get a team, while Indianapolis and Sacramento have also expressed interest.<\/p>\n The Whitecaps have released a statement in response to the report, noting that despite having \u201cserious conversations\u201d with over 100 parties, no viable offers have emerged.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are aware of today\u2019s reporting,\u201d the statement reads. \u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n In case that wasn\u2019t alarming enough, the statement also contained a plea.<\/p>\n \u201cIt 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.\u201d<\/p>\n This is an agonizing twist for soccer fans in Vancouver, who have supported the Whitecaps extremely well.<\/p>\n The Whitecaps drew 21,806 fans per game in 2025, which put them 14th out of 30 MLS clubs in average attendance. They\u2019re doing even better at the box office this season, with an average of 24,189 fans filling BC Place.<\/p>\n Whitecaps fans march to the match carrying \u201cSave the Caps\u201d signs (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)<\/p>\n It\u2019s beginning to look grim for the Whitecaps, who have been for sale for nearly a year and a half<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Whitecaps were able to negotiate a more favourable lease this year at BC Place<\/a>, but have said it\u2019s still not a long-term solution. They have a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Vancouver that allows them to build a new stadium at Hastings Park<\/a>, but the current ownership group isn\u2019t able or willing to spend the money required to make it a reality.<\/p>\n Today\u2019s news comes as FIFA delegates roll into town ahead of the FIFA Congress being held at the Vancouver Convention Centre on Thursday<\/a>. It also comes just 45 days before the start of the FIFA World Cup, when Vancouver will be on full display for the soccer world, as one of the tournament\u2019s host cities.<\/p>\n But the Whitecaps need more than exposure now \u2014 they need a billionaire owner to step forward with a plan to keep the team in Vancouver. The cost of buying the club is likely in the $500-million range, and that doesn\u2019t include the price tag for a new stadium.<\/p>\n![\"vancouver](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1777356428_388_vancouver-whitecaps-fans-save-the-caps.jpeg\"\/ "\\"\\"")
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