VANCOUVER, BC – Back-to-back Canadian Champions Vancouver Whitecaps FC confirmed on Monday that the club will play the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup Round One series against LIGA MX club Tigres UANL at Starlight Stadium in Langford, BC on Wednesday, February 7 at 7 p.m. PT. The second leg will take place at Estadio Universitario in San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico on Wednesday, February 14 at 5 p.m. PT.
“When Concacaf first confirmed the expanded format and earlier competition dates for the Champions Cup, we learned there was a potential conflict based on another event at BC Place during the same window. Immediately, we explored all possibilities, as well as venue options across British Columbia,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC chief executive officer.
“Ultimately, Starlight Stadium was not only the sole Concacaf approved and available stadium in our province in early February, but the City of Langford has also been extremely welcoming. Although our preference is to always play at BC Place, we are excited for this unique opportunity to further connect with our many fans and supporters on Vancouver Island at a stadium we are familiar with. It is also important to note, we are thankful to have a great relationship with PavCo, who operate our home stadium, and together we work very closely on scheduling our home dates for both regular season and cup competitions at BC Place.”
Last May, Whitecaps FC defeated Canadian Premier League (CPL) team Pacific FC 3-0 in the Canadian Championship semifinal at Starlight Stadium. The ’Caps then secured qualification to the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup by winning a second consecutive Canadian Championship, lifting the Voyageurs Cup after defeating fellow MLS side CF Montreal 2-1 on June 7 at BC Place.
TICKET INFORMATION:
- Whitecaps FC season ticket members will receive an email to secure priority pre-sale access in advance of the public on sale date
- Tickets will go on sale to the public in early January. Fans can sign up to be notified when single match tickets will be available by visiting whitecapsfc.com
“We are thrilled to welcome the Concacaf Champions Cup tournament to Starlight Stadium,” added Langford Mayor, Scott Goodmanson. “The opportunity to host such a significant match between Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Mexican club Tigres builds on the momentum of previous international sports matches played in Langford over the past few years. The timing of the game leads up to Pacific FC’s season, which starts up again in April. Passionate soccer fans will be eager to get back to Starlight and welcome the teams to Langford. The City of Langford and Council remains committed to attracting a variety of professional sports matches, concerts, and other events to Langford for social, cultural, and economic benefits.”
Tigres are currently ranked third overall in the Concacaf Club Rankings and widely regarded as one of the best teams in the region. Last September, Tigres defeated Los Angeles FC in a shootout to win their second Campeones Cup – the annual North American soccer match contested between the reigning champion of Major League Soccer and the winner of the Campeón de Campeones of LIGA MX. Tigres won the 2020 Concacaf Champions League and advanced to that year's FIFA Club World Cup final.
This will be the third time the ’Caps and Tigres have meet in cup competition. Vancouver most recently played Tigres in the Round of 32 of this past summer's Leagues Cup, playing to an electric 1-1 draw before a wild shootout saw the Mexican side sneak out the victory at BC Place. The two clubs also met in the semifinals of the 2016-17 Concacaf Champions League tournament, with Tigres advancing.
The winner will move on to face either MLS side Orlando City SC or CPL side Cavalry FC in the Round of 16, set to be played on March 5 and March 12. Should Whitecaps FC advance to the Round of 16, the 'Caps home leg will be played at BC Place. Should Whitecaps FC advance to the Round of 16, the home leg will be played at BC Place.
Concacaf Champions League Schedule Windows – Five Rounds
- Round One: Round One: February 6-8 (Week 1), 13-15 (Week 2), 20-22 (Week 3) and 27-29 (Week 4)
- Round of 16: March 5-7 (First Legs) and 12-14 (Second Legs)
- Quarterfinals: April 2-4 (First Legs) and 9-11 (Second Legs)
- Semifinals: April 23-25 (First Legs) and April 30 - May 2 (Second Legs)
- Final: Sunday, June 2 (Single Leg)
This will mark the fourth time in club history that the ’Caps play for Concacaf’s regional crown, having first qualified for the 2015-16 edition of Concacaf Champions League and making a run to the semifinals in the following 2016-17 tournament. Last season, the ’Caps advanced past Honduran side Real CD España before falling to MLS rivals Los Angeles FC in the quarterfinals.
The winner of the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup will secure a berth in the expanded 32-team 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, set to take place in the United States. The 2024 winner will join Club León (2023), Seattle Sounders FC (2022), and CF Monterrey (2021) as Concacaf’s four representatives in the global tournament.
