Big news, Langford!
Due to a scheduling conflict at their home stadium, BC Place, the Vancouver Whitecaps have relocated their CONCACAF Champions Cup game to Starlight Stadium!
The Whitecaps FC announced their clash against LIGA MX powerhouse Tigres UANL in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup Round One series will take place in Langford.
This highly anticipated match is scheduled to take place at Starlight Stadium on Wednesday, February 7th.
Mark your calendars, @TheChampions rematch is set 🆚 @TigresOficial 🏆
🗓 First Leg | Feb 7 @ 7pm
🏟 Starlight Stadium🗓 Second Leg | Feb 14 @ 5pm
🏟 Estadio Universitario🎟 Tickets will go on sale to the public in early January #VWFC | #ConcaChampions
— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) December 18, 2023
The second leg of this gripping showdown will be held at Estadio Universitario in San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico, on Wednesday, February 14th, as the Whitecaps aim to secure their footing in this prestigious tournament.
“When Concacaf first confirmed the expanded format and earlier competition dates for the Champions Cup, we learned there was a potential conflict based on another event at BC Place during the same window. Immediately, we explored all possibilities, as well as venue options across British Columbia,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC chief executive officer.
The scheduling conflict arises because BC Place is hosting the 2024 BC Home and Garden Show from February 8th to 11th.
“Ultimately, Starlight Stadium was not only the sole Concacaf approved and available stadium in our province in early February, but the City of Langford has also been extremely welcoming,” added Schuster.
Starlight Stadium, which has a capacity of 6,000, is home to the Canadian Premier League’s Pacific FC.
The stadium recently hosted Team Canada and Canadian soccer legend Christine Sinclair as they took on Australia—the game also marked Sinclair’s second-to-last appearance in her career. The matchup drew a record-breaking crowd of 6,102 to the facility.
The significance of Starlight Stadium for the Whitecaps FC goes beyond this impending clash. Last May, the team secured a resounding victory against Pacific FC in the Canadian Championship semifinals held at this very venue.
Their subsequent triumph against fellow MLS side CF Montreal cemented their qualification for the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup, with the Voyageurs Cup proudly raised at BC Place.
Despite the temporary shift from their home ground, Whitecaps FC acknowledges the invaluable support of PavCo, the stadium’s operating body, in navigating scheduling complexities for both regular season fixtures and cup competitions.
The upcoming showdown against Tigres UANL promises to be a thrilling spectacle, pitting the Whitecaps’ skill and determination against one of Mexico’s footballing giants.
Fans can anticipate a fiercely contested battle as the Whitecaps aim to create history on the turf of Starlight Stadium.
