Saturday was the second time in team history the Whitecaps didn't fully sell their home openerGETTY IMAGES
Whitecaps CEO Mark Pannes said that the club has "seen a significant drop in full season-ticket holders, with just 8,800 sold" for this season, according to J.J. Adams of the Vancouver PROVINCE. That number "rises to 11,500" when factoring in other ticket packages available such as flex or five-packs, but that is still down 17% from their game-by-game average. Meanwhile, the Whitecaps announced a sell-out of 22,120 for their home opener against Sporting K.C. at BC Place on Saturday, but the "patches of bare seats said otherwise." It was the "second time in team history the Whitecaps didn't fully sell their home opener," the last time being in '17 (Vancouver PROVINCE, 3/1). PRO SOCCER USA's Harjeet Johal wondered, "Where have all the Vancouver Whitecaps supporters gone?" Pannes said, "Tickets are available and I'm not use to that. That's something that we're going to work hard to make it a tough ticket in town." Johal noted while the club "looked to add quality pieces" during the offseason, it "might not be enough to bring back loyal supporters." The Whitecaps finished at the bottom of the Western Conference last season, and the club "saw its share of difficulties off the pitch too." The fan base that was "so enthused when Vancouver joined MLS" in '11 "isn't what it once was" (PROSOCCERUSA.com, 2/29).
