MLS Commissioner Don Garber Calls for “New Vision” on BC Place Lease, Eyes Long-Term Stadium Future in Vancouver

DARPAN Magazine was at the Major League Soccer (MLS) media roundtable in Vancouver today, where Commissioner Don Garber commended the Whitecaps for their steady growth both on and off the field — even as discussions continue around the team’s long-term home at BC Place.

In a wide-ranging discussion with local media, Garber said the current lease agreement at BC Place is “untenable” for the Whitecaps’ long-term economic stability and hinted that both the league and ownership are seeking a more “rational” arrangement. “We have a suboptimal stadium situation,” Garber said. “We want a better lease at BC Place. The club has made a very specific request about that. It’s not the fault of those who run the stadium — their job is to manage the building — but the restrictions and challenges make it untenable for the Vancouver Whitecaps economically.”

The commissioner said the Whitecaps, who have called BC Place home since joining MLS in 2011, don’t currently share in stadium revenue and must schedule matches around dates provided by the facility’s operator, PavCo. “When we make our schedule, we have to work around the dates BC Place gives us,” he said. “That’s untenable when you have 29 other teams. It’s unconscionable that we have to move a playoff game because there’s a tractor pull.”

While the Whitecaps’ current lease at BC Place runs until 2027, talks about extending that agreement or exploring a soccer-specific venue have drawn increasing attention. Garber acknowledged those conversations but stressed that collaboration between the club, the league, and BC Pavilion Corporation (PavCo) will guide the path forward. “Every MLS team wants to play in a place that feels like home — where fans are close to the pitch and the energy stays electric,” he said. “But BC Place is an iconic venue. The challenge and opportunity here are about finding what’s best for everyone involved.”

Garber also highlighted Vancouver’s growing influence in the league, noting strong attendance numbers and the city’s role as one of the host venues for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. “The global spotlight is coming back to Vancouver,” he said. “That’s going to have ripple effects for the sport and for the community.”

Whitecaps CEO Axel Schuster, who joined Garber and the roundtable, echoed the commissioner’s optimism, emphasizing that the club is focused on long-term sustainability and fan experience.

Garber emphasized that the MLS is not asking for handouts but for an opportunity to build a sustainable model. “We’re not asking for gifts,” he said. “We’re asking for the right to earn it — by maximizing value at BC Place and eventually developing a project that could be a great public-private partnership. That’s what will embed the Whitecaps even more deeply into the community.”

As discussions with the province and city continue, Garber said he remains optimistic that a reworked lease and long-term stadium plan can secure the club’s future. “We’ve faced tough stadium challenges before in cities like New York, Miami, and Chicago — and we solved them,” Garber said. “I believe we can solve this one too.”