VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC host the club's third annual Indigenous Peoples Celebration this coming Saturday, June 3 as the ‘Caps take on Sporting Kansas City at BC Place.
Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m. PT. Tickets are available at whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
Community tickets
Over 900 community tickets will be distributed to the following organizations
- BC Indigenous Housing Society
- Hope and Health
- Indigenous Women Outdoors
- Nicola Valley School of Technology
- Vancouver Aboriginal Child & Family Services Society
- Vancouver Aboriginal Health Society
- YWCA - Nanook
Pre-match jamboree, supported by BMO
More than 75 Indigenous youth from across the region will take part in a pre-match jamboree on the pitch at BC Place.
- Katzie First Nation
- Shishalh Nation Youth Soccer (from Sechelt BC)
- Squamish Nation
- Tsleil-Waututh Nation
- Urban Native Youth Association (UNYA)
This will be the third year for the event, which has been supported by BMO from year one to make it special for all participants.
Indigenous Artists Market
A number of Indigenous vendors and performers will create a lively atmosphere on Terry Fox Plaza before the match, starting at 4 p.m. PT.
Artists’ work will be available for sale from:
Canoe Cultures will be on-site doing a live paddle carving with a knowledge keeper. Canoe Cultures is an Indigenous led organization, dedicated to the art and culture of the canoe, and the artists who create them. They present visual and performing arts as their primary means of transmitting Indigenous culture and communicating identity, place and belonging.
DJ O Show and the will be returning, and this year providing pre-match entertainment on Terry Fox Plaza.
Madelaine McCallum will also be performing on Terry Fox Plaza. McCallum is a gifted dancer, motivational speaker, facilitator, and MC from Ile a la Crosse, Saskatchewan. She is often known immediately for her Métis dance (she’s been jigging since she could walk!), but she loves all forms of dance including Pow Wow, contemporary, hip hop, and movement from the soul.
The Warmup
Also on Terry Fox Plaza will be the first Warmup of the year, starting at 4 p.m. PT. The pre-match patio party features music, food and beverage specials, and face painting.
Coast Salish anthem and land acknowledgement
For the first time in league history, the Coast Salish anthem will be performed alongside the United States and Canadian national anthems. The Coast Salish anthem is a prayer song written by Chief Dan George and gifted to the Salish people for their journey through the healing process.
The anthem, along with the land acknowledgement, will also be shown on the MLS Season Pass broadcast on Apple TV.
Commemorative logo
Ahead of National Indigenous History Month in June, Whitecaps FC are bringing back the commemorative logo designed by xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) artist Debra Sparrow.
Sparrow was born and raised in the Musqueam Indian Band and is an acclaimed weaver who has been weaving for 20 years and is deeply involved with the revival of Musqueam weaving. She is self-taught in Salish design and jewelry-making and continues to work on pieces close to her heart at her home in Musqueam. Her hope is to educate others about the beauty and integrity of her people’s history through her art.
Scarves
Scarves featuring Sparrow’s design work will also be for sale in-stadium and online, with partial proceeds going to the artist. The scarves will be available at sections 205, 222, 233, and 249.
Player welcome!
Fans are encouraged to join in the player welcome as they arrive to the stadium.
Anyone interested should be at the West Entrance of BC Place off of Expo Boulevard between 5:00-5:15 p.m. PT to be taken to the player entrance. Greet the team, take photos, get autographs, and cheer the 'Caps on!
Pre-match performance
Be in your seats before kickoff, as the , return to perform on the pitch at BC Place for a third straight year!
Player warmup tops with Hope and Health
Whitecaps FC players will be wearing special warmup tops from the club’s partners at Hope and Health. The jerseys commemorate the 10th anniversary of Hope and Health and the 10th anniversary of the partnership with Whitecaps FC. They will be worn throughout the year by participants of Hope and Health programming.
Halftime performance
DJ O Show and Madelaine McCallum will move inside after their pre-match performances on Terry Fox Plaza, putting on a show for the crowd at BC Place. After years aspiring to work together, the duo will be collaborating for the first time.
Alumni
Please join in welcoming the following Whitecaps FC alumni to Saturday’s match, including Terry Felix – the first indigenous player to play professionally in North America, and the first to represent Canada.
- Srdjan Djekanovic
- Terry Felix
- Sven Haberman
- Gerry Heaney
- Mark Karpun
- Rob Merkl
- David Norman
- Neil Wilkinson
Staff educational panel
In the week leading up to the match, Whitecaps FC staff will be participating in an educational panel on sports, resiliency, and building community. The club will hear from:
- Brad Baker, associate superintendent of Indigenous Education (BC) and Class B Member of the Canadian Olympic Committee
- Joleen Mitton, All My Relations Basketball
- Mike Billy, Canoes Culture
Tawnshi will also be providing special hand-crafted Indigenous-inspired charcuterie.
Kid Captain
Whitecaps FC are honoured to have Saje Paul from Hope and Health for Saturday's match against Sporting Kansas City. The presentation will be alongside the Vancouver Southsiders supporters group.
Saje is a talented multi-sport athlete that brings a bright light to all his environments. Currently in grade eight, Saje is a role model to many and has given inspiration to younger students by supporting an after-school program for elementary students weekly. He is extremely caring and highly dedicated, setting an example of what being a "champion for life” looks like as a youth leader!
Please join in welcoming Saje to the match!
Supporter of the Match
Saturday's Supporter of the Match is Luke Native from the Vancouver Southsiders.
Luke has been a supporter since 2011. His favourite part is the friendships that he's build in the Southside, and his favourite memory is Eric Hassli's wondergoal in Seattle.
KidSport 50/50
Vancouver Whitecaps FC are proud to partner with KidSport BC for the club’s 50/50 program! All proceeds from the 50/50 program will be donated to Kid Sport BC to help to improve the lives of children and youth in our community. Buy your tickets on the concourse, visit their table at sections 220, or buy online at whitecapsfc.com/5050.
KidSport is committed to supporting kids from marginalized populations that are often underrepresented in sport. Over the past three years, KidSport has funded sport for nearly 2,000 Indigenous children and youth.
March to the Match
Join the supporters on the March to the Match down Robson street to BC Place.
The march will depart from Dublin Calling at 6:15 p.m. PT, and will also see supporters joining from the Ox Pub on Robson and Granville.
Family Zone
Check out the RE/MAX Family Zone at section 226, featuring colouring at 'Caps Clubhouse. If it's your first match, don't forget to stop by and pick up your certificate to commemorate the occasion.
Kids Combo
The Kids Combo at Dawson's Hot Dogs (214 and 241) is $6.50 for a hot dog, chips, fountain soda.
The Kids Combo at Lions Gate Grill (228 and 254) is $6.50 for chicken strip, fries and fountain soda.
$5 Menu!
BC Place has announced a new $5 menu this year, in collaboration with Sodexo Live!, including $5 beer, hot dogs, nachos, and popcorn. Limited-release items may appear on the menu throughout the year.
The $5 Menu is available at Dawson’s Hot Dogs stands at sections 201 and 227.
Gates
Gates A, C, H, E, G, and the Accessible drop-off/pick-up located along Pacific Boulevard at section 147 will all be open for entry starting at 6:30 p.m. PT. Gates for suite entry will open at 6 p.m. PT.
Kickoff is officially at 7:39 p.m. PT.
Stand by Me
Make sure to stay in your seats post-match for every Whitecaps FC home win. Get your phones out and join the team in the singing of Stand by Me!
Flex pass
Want more matches for your money?
Pick three or more matches from only $66 and unlock exclusive benefits: whitecapsfc.com/flex.
The Asahi Super Dry Landing
The Asahi Super Dry Landing provides the perfect atmosphere to kick back with the squad, entertain clients, or enjoy an evening with the family with the best views in BC Place – right behind the player benches!
Asahi Super Dry is also available at sections 203, 209, 234, 248.
Last call
The last call for alcohol in the stadium will be the 75th minute of the match.
Videoboard special messages
Get on the big screen at BC Place!
You can get your personalized message on the videoboard during an upcoming Whitecaps FC match. All proceeds go to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. Fill out the form at whitecapsfc.com/matchday/videoboard.
Group tickets
Bring the whole squad.
Save up to 33% and get access to special experiences when you buy 10+ tickets. Contact groups@whitecapsfc.com.
Clear bags/Bag Check
For ease of entry, Whitecaps FC and BC Place recommend you don’t bring a bag to the stadium.
If you do bring a bag, make sure it’s made of clear plastic and smaller than 12”x12”x6”. Exceptions will be made for diaper bags and medically necessary items that do not fit into a clear bag. You can bring one small opaque bag, but it can’t be larger than 6.5”x 8.5”. All bags will be inspected prior to entry.
Mobile entry
All tickets for Whitecaps FC matches are through mobile ticketing, providing a contactless and paperless experience.
Season ticket members and pack holders will need to access their tickets through whitecapsfc.com/accountmanager. Single match buyers will access their tickets through Ticketmaster.
Cashless transactions
In order to reduce the potential for hand-to-hand contact, and to improve the efficiency of payment transactions, BC Place is now a cashless venue.
Concessions and food and beverage vendors will accept all major digital forms of payment including Mobile, Debit Cards, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Google Pay and Apple Pay. Cash payments will not be accepted.
There will be a Cash to Card kiosk located at Sec 235 where guests can exchange cash for cards to use at the food and beverage locations throughout the stadium.
Celebration Matches
Keep an eye out for a number of special events throughout the season celebrating our community.
Next up is Pride Night against Seattle Sounders FC on July 8: whitecapsfc.com/news/whitecaps-fc-announce-2023-celebration-matches
