VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced the club’s 2023 Celebration Matches on Monday, just under two weeks away from kicking off the season with the home opener against Real Salt Lake on Saturday, February 25.
Let the games begin! BC Place will be the venue as the ‘Caps kick off the 2023 season against Western Conference rivals Real Salt Lake.
Fans will also receive a gift upon entry, to be announced prior to the opener.
Three days after International Women's Day, Whitecaps FC will celebrate the incredible women and girls working, playing, and setting new standards in sports.
This year’s event will be special as the club sets it’s sights on fielding a team in a domestic women’s professional soccer league in Canada in 2025. Whitecaps FC general manager of women’s soccer Stephanie Labbé will be at the match as excitement continues to ramp up.
The club will also once again host a pre-match jamboree for over 100 young girls between the ages of 8 to 14, with players from the defending League1 BC champion Whitecaps FC Girls Elite program supporting in coaching roles.
Vaisakhi Night returns to BC Place for a second straight year, celebrating the South Asian community and the Solar New Year. The match comes the weekend before the annual Vaisakhi festivals start in Surrey and Vancouver – the biggest in the world outside of India.
The inaugural Vaisakhi Night in 2022 featured incredible performances from the Shan-e-Punjab Arts Club and award-winning Bollywood singer and performer Jugpreet Bajwa, as well as dhol drummers and members of the Sikh Motorcycle Club joining the March to the Match, and donations to Guru Nanak's Free Kitchen.
Next Gen Night is all about celebrating the youth.
The next generation will be featured throughout the stadium, including in the PA booth:
National anthems:
And in a 100v2 match against professional players at halftime.
Bring your soccer team to the game to watch the ‘Caps take on their Cascadia rivals in one of the biggest matches of the year.
During National Indigenous History Month, Whitecaps FC are proud to host the club’s third annual Indigenous Peoples Match, celebrating the cultures and contributions of Indigenous and First Nations peoples.
Over the past two seasons Whitecaps FC have welcomed the Tsatsu Stalqayu, also known as the Coastal Wolf Pack, for a memorable performance on the pitch. The club has also held a pre-match jamboree at BC Place for more than 100 Indigenous youth from across the region.
This coming season will mark the 10th anniversary of Whitecaps FC Pride Night, less than one month before the 2023 Vancouver Pride Parade.
The Warmup pre-match street party will be back, featuring live music, food & drink specials, giveaways, face painting and more. In-stadium BC Place will be bringing back the rainbow grilled cheese, while on the pitch will feature pride coloured nets, corner flags, and more.
Need a break from studying? Whitecaps FC will welcome students from across the Lower Mainland a fun-filled College Night.
On the pitch, the ‘Caps will be hosting former college draft picks Tim Parker and Jake Nerwinski as MLS expansion side St. Louis CITY SC visit BC Place for the first time.
It’s the last day of the regular season as teams across the league battle for playoff positioning. The ‘Caps make their final push against defending MLS Cup champions LAFC.
