Don't Bet on Vancouver MLS Team Relocating to Vegas Just Yet

^{Current fans of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC MLS team probably wouldn't march to the beat of a different drum in Las Vegas. (Photo: Rick Bowmer / AP / Alamy)}

LAS VEGAS – Rumors swirled on social media Monday about the Vancouver Whitecaps FC potentially relocating to Las Vegas following Major League Soccer (MLS) owners’ meetings, according to The Athletic. However, the Whitecaps' main goal remains to find a new ownership group interested in keeping the professional soccer team in Vancouver.

The Whitecaps issued a statement acknowledging The Athletic report and noted the team wants to avoid relocation altogether. Instead, searching for a new owner is the first step, which will obviously play a vital role in determining whether or not the team moves. A new stadium to replace the team’s current home at BC Place is also a key consideration.

“It remains the strong preference of this ownership group to find a solution in Vancouver,” said the Whitecaps in their statement. “If there is a local ownership group with the vision and resources to chart a path forward, we urge them to come forward.”

That message didn't stop Las Vegas fans from being fired up about the possibility of adding another pro sports team to the city's roster. But it may be a little early to get too excited about it, considering that staying in Vancouver is the team’s top priority.

Patrick Johnston, a sports columnist from the Vancouver Sun and Province, understandably threw some shade on Sin City as a healthier alternative in a recent column. He asked his city to step up in closing: “Can our politicians figure out a deal that could give the Whitecaps a future here? It would be quite the moment to do so.”

‘Starr Vegas’ One of Many Stadium/Arena Proposals

Another hot rumor circulating in Sin City linked the prospective MLS Las Vegas ownership group to the 63-acre Starr Vegas Development near Starr Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard. That is not true, despite the fact that the $10 billion project has reportedly already secured $6 billion in funding and includes plans for an MLS field in addition to an NBA arena for a new pro basketball expansion team in 2028.

Starr Vegas has been one of the many options in discussions recently to be the home for an NBA team, alongside Las Vegas Diamond Arena and others previously discussed. The big difference for Starr Vegas, obviously, is the inclusion of a soccer field. However, A source told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that an MLS team is not tied to either of them.

Allegiant Stadium Not a Long-Term Option for MLS

Lost in the shuffle is Allegiant Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders. While Allegiant could possibly host an MLS team in the short term, it is not a viable long-term solution. The field is simply too narrow to meet FIFA’s pitch regulations, which are required for an MLS team (minimum 110 x 70 yards) as well.

This is also why Vegas is not hosting any World Cup games this summer. Neither Allegiant nor SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles was built to accommodate the World Cup or MLS, a costly oversight given the missed revenue from both venues. Both Allegiant and SoFi have hosted CONCACAF matches and international friendlies that do not meet the same field standards, though that was not enough for the latter.

SoFi didn't want to miss out on hosting the 2026 World Cup, so modifications have since been made to remove corner seats and install a natural grass pitch that meets FIFA requirements. The venue will be rebranded as “Los Angeles Stadium” during the World Cup and host eight matches, including Team USA’s opener against Paraguay on June 12.