By Elke Porter | WBN News Vancouver | December 11, 2025
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Following a media invitation issued Wednesday, the City of Vancouver and Vancouver Whitecaps FC gathered reporters at City Hall, including Westcoast German News, on Thursday morning to unveil a Memorandum of Understanding that launches a comprehensive year-long exploration of whether a new stadium at Hastings Park is viable.

Mayor Ken Sim and Whitecaps CEO Axel Schuster announced the agreement at 11:30 a.m. in Vancouver City Hall's Media Centre, establishing an exclusive negotiation period through 2026 to determine if the ambitious project can move forward.

There is a lot to do: The MOU establishes an exclusive negotiation period (through December 31, 2026) where the City and Whitecaps will:

  • Negotiate terms for a ground lease
  • Work on stadium design proposals
  • Determine financial terms
  • Establish community benefits
  • Undergo regulatory approvals and public processes

The MOU was approved by Vancouver City Council during an in-camera meeting on December 9, 2025, two days before the public announcement. The council decision authorized the Director of Real Estate Services to sign and deliver the legally binding memorandum on behalf of the City, while also directing staff to communicate the decision to the Tsleil-Waututh Nation.

The timing of the announcement reflects the heightened excitement around Vancouver soccer following the Whitecaps' historic run to their first-ever MLS Cup Final this season. However, both parties emphasized that 2026 will be dedicated entirely to research, consultation, and feasibility assessments before any commitment to construction.

The timing also coincides with FIFA World Cup matches coming to Vancouver in summer 2026, which presents both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, the global spotlight on soccer in Vancouver could build momentum and demonstrate the city's appetite for world-class football infrastructure. On the other hand, the resources, attention, and logistical capacity required to host FIFA matches may divert focus and personnel from the intensive stakeholder consultations and planning work the MOU requires. City staff and key decision-makers will be heavily engaged in World Cup preparations during a critical period of the due diligence and preliminary design phase.

"After an incredible year that saw the Whitecaps reach the MLS Cup Final for the first time in club history, it's clear just how much this team means to our city, and we're incredibly excited to be taking the next step forward," Mayor Sim told assembled media. He stressed that this MOU represents a commitment to thoroughly explore whether the project can deliver jobs, economic benefits, and transform Hastings Park into a vibrant destination.

Schuster was equally measured in his comments. "We're grateful for the City's partnership and look forward to working together to determine whether Hastings Park can become the location for a future home of our club," the CEO said. "We have a lot of work ahead of us, but this is a positive step forward."

The proposed development would occupy the current Hastings Racecourse footprint, but numerous complex factors must be resolved before the project could proceed. According to the council decision, the City will negotiate terms and conditions of a ground lease with the Whitecaps during the exclusive negotiation period for "the construction and operation of a new stadium and entertainment district." The City will retain land ownership throughout any potential arrangement.

The scope of work ahead is substantial. Throughout 2026, both parties must engage with multiple stakeholders including the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, who have an agreement to purchase the casino business currently on site, as well as the provincial and federal governments. The council decision specifically directed staff to communicate the MOU approval to TWN, acknowledging the importance of Indigenous partnerships and consultation as critical components of the Pre-development phase.

Transportation infrastructure presents another major consideration. Any stadium development would require comprehensive planning around transit access, potentially including extensions to existing SkyTrain or Canada Line service. Road capacity, parking, and the impact on commercial transportation routes must all be thoroughly assessed, particularly given the area's role in goods movement.

Security considerations, crowd management, and emergency services access will require detailed analysis. The broader vision of creating an entertainment district adds additional layers of complexity, requiring coordination with various levels of government and private sector partners.

Community engagement will be essential. Taxpayer investment, neighborhood impacts, and residential concerns must be addressed through transparent public consultation. Both the City and Whitecaps FC committed to openness throughout the planning process, acknowledging that public buy-in is crucial for any project of this scale.

The project will undergo all required regulatory approvals and public processes, including zoning and development applications—though these formal steps would only begin if the 2026 negotiation and planning phase demonstrates the project is viable.

The exclusive negotiation period runs through December 31, 2026, providing a full year to determine whether this vision can become reality. The MOU establishes that during this period, the City and Whitecaps will work to negotiate the specific terms of a ground lease, including stadium design, financial arrangements, and community benefits.

Next steps include preliminary planning, design proposals, stakeholder consultations, and intensified negotiations exploring all aspects of the potential ground lease arrangement.

While the Whitecaps currently play at BC Place, which they share with the BC Lions, Schuster emphasized the club's need for long-term stability in Major League Soccer. However, both parties acknowledged that many questions must be answered before determining if Hastings Park can provide that solution.

Thursday's announcement represents the beginning of an extensive due diligence process—not a commitment to construction, but rather a commitment to thoroughly explore whether this ambitious project can serve the interests of the club, the city, and the community.

Full Council Decision Text

IN-CAMERA COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 9, 2025 DECISION RELEASE

Land Use Negotiations for Hastings Park – Update and Authorizations for MoU

B. THAT Council approve the legally binding memorandum of understanding ("MOU") attached hereto as Appendix A of the Report dated December 1, 2025, entitled "Land Use Negotiations for Hastings Park – Update and Authorizations for MoU", whereby the City, during an exclusive negotiation period, will negotiate the terms and conditions of a ground lease (the "Ground Lease") with the Whitecaps for a portion of Hastings Park as shown on the plan attached as Schedule "A" of the above-noted report to the MOU for the construction and operation of a new stadium and entertainment district, and authorize the Director of Real Estate Services to sign and deliver the MOU on behalf of the City;

FURTHER THAT subject to the approval of A and B above, Council authorize the public release of Council's decision with respect to B only and direct staff to communicate Council's decision to Tsleil-Waututh Nation ("TWN").

Elke Porter at:
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TAGS: #Vancouver Whitecaps FC #Van City #Hastings Park #Stadium Feasibility #Vancouver Planning #MOU 2026 #WBN News Vancouver #Westcoast German News #Elke Porter

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