VANCOUVER, BC - Highlighted by an all-Canadian tilt in the season opener, first-ever Canada Day home match at BC Place, first-ever visit from Los Angeles Football Club, and a third consecutive Decision Day battle against Portland Timbers, Vancouver Whitecaps FC unveiled their 2018 regular season schedule and kickoff times on Thursday - exactly two months ahead of their eighth season in Major League Soccer.
Tickets for the season opener are now available as part of the 2018 Home Opener Pack, which includes two tickets and a scarf for only $70. Season ticket memberships are also available, starting at only $44 per month. Single match tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, February 9 at whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
"This coming season is about building on what we did last season and taking aim at MLS Cup," said Whitecaps FC president Bob Lenarduzzi. "Credit to our technical staff who have been working diligently throughout the offseason to improve our roster and we will have additional announcements in the build-up to the season opener on March 4. This is going to be a team that gives everything they have for this city."
The Whitecaps FC season kicks off against Canadian rivals Montreal Impact at BC Place on Sunday, March 4. Vancouver's 34-match slate includes two fixtures against each Western Conference team, except for 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs Knockout Round opponent San Jose Earthquakes, who WFC will face three times. The 'Caps will again play Eastern Conference clubs once each, either home or away, and in reverse of the 2017 fixture.
All 34 of Vancouver’s matches will be broadcast on the TSN network, including three matches on CTV – Canada’s most-watched television network – and the TSN GO app. In addition, TSN Radio Vancouver will once again broadcast all Whitecaps FC matches with a one-hour pre and post match show.
The season culminates with Decision Day presented by AT&T, with all league matches kicking off simultaneously at 1:30 p.m PT. The 'Caps host Cascadia rival Portland Timbers at BC Place in the regular season finale. The Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs will begin on Wednesday, October 31 and the 2018 MLS Cup is set for Saturday, December 8.
Additional WFC 2018 MLS regular season schedule notes below.
CASCADIA CUP SCHEDULE
The 'Caps aim to recapture the Cascadia Cup when they face rivals Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders FC twice each this season. The final derby match will be played on Decision Day when the 'Caps host Timbers at BC Place. It will be the third consecutive season that the two teams will clash in the regular season finale.
• Seattle Sounders FC vs. Whitecaps FC, Saturday, July 21 at CenturyLink Field
• Portland Timbers vs. Whitecaps FC, Saturday, August 11 at Providence Park
• Whitecaps FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC, Saturday, September 15 at BC Place
• Whitecaps FC vs. Portland Timbers, Sunday, October 28 at BC Place
COMMUNITY MATCH NIGHTS
Vancouver Whitecaps FC support the club’s community partners through a variety of events and initiatives each year. Below are some of the key dates during the upcoming 2018 season.
- Daffodil Day, in support of Canadian Cancer Society: Friday, April 13 vs. Los Angeles Football Club
- Jeans Day, in support of BC Children's Hospital Foundation: Friday, April 27 vs. Real Salt Lake
- #BuckUp for Mental Health, in support of Covenant House Vancouver: Saturday, June 9 vs. Orlando City SC
- Pride Night: Saturday, July 28 vs. Minnesota United FC
- Legends & Stars charity match, in support of BC Children's Hospital Foundation: Saturday, September 15 vs. Seattle Sounders FC
CANADA DAY AT BC PLACE & OTHER HOLIDAY WEEKEND MATCHES
Whitecaps FC will play a home match on Canada Day for the first time since joining MLS. They host Colorado Rapids on Sunday, July 1 at BC Place.
They are also at home on Labour Day weekend when they host San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, September 1 at BC Place.
Whitecaps FC travel on four holiday weekend road trips this year.
• Easter weekend: Saturday, March 31 at Columbus Crew SC
• Victoria Day weekend: Saturday, May 19 at FC Dallas
• BC Day weekend: Saturday, August 4 at New York City FC
• Thanksgiving weekend: Saturday, October 6 at Toronto FC
HOME DAYS
Whitecaps FC will host home matches at BC Place on:
• Eight Saturdays
• Four Sundays
• Three Fridays
• Two Wednesdays
ROAD DAYS
Whitecaps FC will play on the road on:
• 14 Saturdays
• Two Fridays
• One Sunday
NEW OPPONENT AND NEW STADIUMS
Whitecaps FC host expansion side Los Angeles Football Club for their first-ever matchup on Friday, April 13 at BC Place. The 'Caps visit LAFC on Sunday, October 21 at Banc of California Stadium, which is set to open this April 2018.
WFC also make their first-ever visit to Atlanta United FC on Saturday, March 17 and will play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Opened last August, the venue was also named as the site of the 2018 MLS All-Star Game scheduled for Wednesday, August 1.
Audi Field opens on Saturday, July 14 as the 'Caps visit D.C. United in the new 20,000-seat soccer stadium.
FIFA WORLD CUP BREAK
The MLS schedule will include a nine-day break for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, with no teams playing between June 14 through 22. The FIFA World Cup group stage takes place from June 14 through June 28, and the knockout stage will be played from June 30 through July 14.
CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP
The schedule for the 2018 Canadian Championship will be announced at a later date.
