One day after what may have been a last-ditch effort to save the Vancouver Whitecaps, a joint statement has been released.
An important meeting was held at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel on Wednesday.
Our Whitecaps reporter, Har Johal, was on the scene, spotting a number of notable attendees, including representatives from three levels of government, local First Nations groups, FIFA, and Whitecaps ownership.
The surprise guest was the federal minister of housing and infrastructure, Gregor Robertson. Other noteworthy attendees included FIFA vice president Victor Montagliani, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, and Musqueam Chief Wayne Sparrow.
“It was a very positive meeting,” B.C. Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth Ravi Kahlon told Daily Hive.
#VWFC were represented at the big #SaveTheCaps meeting this afternoon by Whitecaps Co-Owner Jeff Mallett and CEO and Sporting Director Axel Schuster.#MLS Executive & VP Charles Altchek was also there.
Talks were described as positive with more to come.
"We're at halftime." pic.twitter.com/oiKrCtK1iA
— Har Journalist (@HarJournalist) May 14, 2026
Whitecaps minority owner Jeff Mallett and CEO and sporting director Axel Schuster represented the Whitecaps. Charles Altchek, MLS executive vice president of club performance and league growth, was there on behalf of the league.
Majority owner Greg Kerfoot was not at the meeting, but did meet with Mallett earlier in the day.
A statement on keeping the Whitecaps in Vancouver was released Thursday morning. It was jointly issued by the City of Vancouver, Province of British Columbia, three local First Nations (Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh), and PavCo.
Whitecaps supporters held a “Save the Caps” rally before the last home game at BC Place (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
The statement appears to address a number of concerns the Whitecaps and MLS have raised before, including improving the economic model at BC Place, looking at new sponsorship opportunities, and advancing work on potential sites for a new stadium.
“This joint statement demonstrates a unified commitment from all partners to keep the Whitecaps in Vancouver for generations to come,” the statement reads. “The City, Province, Federal Government, Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, PavCo, and private partners are aligned and working together within a positive framework to deliver an even better future for soccer in our city.
“That includes improving the game day economic model at BC Place, exploring additional sponsorship opportunities, and advancing work on potential sites for a new stadium and development. Let’s be clear: Vancouver is open for business.
“We are doing everything we can to keep the Whitecaps here, and we are committed to building a long-term solution that reflects the scale, ambition, and global future of this city.”