Vancouver Whitecaps attendance at BC Place went up significantly this season
The Vancouver Whitecaps put up some big numbers this season, both on and off the pitch.
The Whitecaps set new club records of 19 wins and 64 points to finish first in the Western Conference, and their club-record 74 goals led all of MLS this season, with Brian White’s 20 goals leading the way.
The outstanding season ensured home-field advantage throughout the upcoming MLS Cup Playoffs, barring a meeting with the Eastern Conference-leading Nashville SC in the MLS Cup Final.
What might be more notable, especially with the Whitecaps’ future in Vancouver still up in the air, are the big numbers the Whitecaps put up in the stands.
Whitecaps rank top 10 in MLS attendance
Anne-Marie Sorvin/Imagn Images
At 25,226 fans per match, the Whitecaps ranked ninth among the 30 teams in MLS, just a hair behind Los Angeles FC.
That’s a significant increase from last season, when the Whitecaps averaged 21,806 fans per match, which ranked 13th in MLS.
Just a few years ago, the Whitecaps ranked near the bottom of attendance in MLS. In 2023, the Whitecaps were ranked 27th in the league with an average of 16,745 fans per match.
That’s a 50 per cent increase in attendance in just three years.
The Whitecaps’ biggest crowd at BC Place came on Aug. 1 when they faced Los Angeles FC in a rematch of 2025’s hard-fought Western Conference Semi-Final. The Aug. 1 game brought in a crowd of 40,086.
Whitecaps supporters were consistent all season, however. Just four of the Whitecaps’ 17 home games dipped below the league average attendance of 22,300. Their lowest attendance of the season was a still solid 20,947 against the LA Galaxy on Sep. 9.
Why attendance is up for the Whitecaps
Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive
There are several factors behind the increase in attendance.
With the Vancouver Canucks struggling, the door opened for another professional sports team to capture the attention of local sports fans.
Another factor was the FIFA World Cup coming to Vancouver, increasing the attention on soccer in this market.
The relatively inexpensive ticket prices of Whitecaps games didn’t hurt, as those curious to check out a Whitecaps match weren’t put off by the price tag.
But the biggest factor is that the Whitecaps gave fans every reason to come to games.
The Whitecaps had the best home record in the Western Conference at 11-4-2, and they play an exciting style that creates numerous scoring chances and plenty of goals.
They also captured a lot of attention with their run to the MLS Cup Final last year, piquing the interest of fans who might not have previously cared.
Add in a marquee star in Thomas Müller, who has embraced the city and signed another contract extension with the club, and it’s becoming easier and easier to convince people to come out to Whitecaps games.
Now, the Whitecaps are hoping that trend will continue as they head into the MLS Cup Playoffs. Their first playoff match is on Nov. 22 at BC Place against either the Seattle Sounders or Real Salt Lake.
While the Whitecaps have not yet announced that the upper bowl will be open for the match, tickets in the lower bowl are selling quickly.