Whitecaps Expand Seating for Playoff Opener
Vancouver Whitecaps open BC Place upper bowl for playoff opener vs FC Dallas after record-breaking season draws unprecedented fan support.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
By Elke Porter | WBN News Vancouver | October 24, 2025
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Vancouver Whitecaps FC is opening BC Place's upper bowl for Sunday's playoff opener against FC Dallas, responding to surging fan enthusiasm that has packed the stadium for five consecutive home matches.
The club announced the expansion Friday, marking only the second time in the MLS era that management has opened additional seating for a playoff match. The decision reflects the momentum building around a team that shattered multiple franchise records during the 2025 regular season.
Historic Season Fuels Fan Excitement
The Whitecaps dominated the regular season with 63 points, 18 wins, and 66 goals—all club records. The team also posted eight road victories and led MLS with a +28 goal differential while tying for the fewest losses at seven. This success has translated into remarkable attendance figures, with over 25,000 fans filling BC Place for each of the last five weekend matches.
"The momentum around the team is unprecedented, and we're excited to kick off our playoff journey this Sunday with all our fans," said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC CEO and sporting director.
The regular season finale drew 26,741 fans, a season-high sellout that underscored Vancouver's growing appetite for soccer.
Since signing on August 6, 2025, veteran midfielder Thomas Müller has significantly enhanced the Vancouver Whitecaps' attacking midfield with his experience and leadership. The former Bayern Munich star, who debuted on August 17, has inspired the squad during a 10-game unbeaten streak across all competitions, including a Canadian Championship title on October 1.
Despite a 2-1 loss to FC Dallas in the final regular-season match on October 18, where Müller scored, his ability to elevate teammates and drive momentum was key to Vancouver’s record-breaking 2025 campaign, setting club highs in points (63), wins (18), and goals (66).
Playoff Battle Begins Sunday
Vancouver, seeded second in the Western Conference, faces seventh-place FC Dallas in a best-of-three Round One series. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. PT at BC Place, with the first 20,000 attendees receiving commemorative playoff flags.
The teams split their regular-season meetings, with Vancouver winning 1-0 in Texas before Dallas claimed a 2-1 victory at BC Place. This marks their second postseason encounter, following a 2014 playoff meeting.
Building on Recent Success
The Whitecaps are making their third consecutive playoff appearance and fourth in five years. The last time management opened the upper bowl for playoffs—a 2023 match against Los Angeles FC—30,204 fans attended, setting a benchmark the club hopes to match or exceed Sunday.
If the series requires a decisive third game, it will return to BC Place on November 7. Game 2 takes place November 1 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
Fans can purchase tickets at ticketmaster.ca/whitecaps, with all matches available on MLS Season Pass and Apple TV. The winner advances to face either Los Angeles FC or Austin FC in the Western Conference Semifinals.
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