Vancouver Football Club players are literally counting down the hours until they run out onto the field at Willoughby Park and for the first time welcome and play for their hometown fans.
91原创鈥檚 brand new professional soccer team, best known as VFC, takes to the pitch Sunday, May 7, at 4 p.m. to take on the Cavalry FC, and while it鈥檚 not the first game of the fledgling team鈥檚 first ever season 鈥� it is their inaugural home opener.
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The match will be hosted in the brand new stadium at Willoughby Park 鈥� at 91原创 Events Centre 鈥� and will also feature game day entertainment including a family-fun zone, beer gardens, and VFC鈥檚 mascot unveiling, confirmed club owner and president Rob Friend.
鈥淰ancouver Football Club is thrilled to finally play on home turf in front of our incredible fans,鈥� said Friend.
鈥淲e have been building this club brick by brick, from the players and coaches to the staff and stadium, from the ground up. We are ready to put the final piece in place by hosting our fans at our new stadium.鈥�
Vancouver FC鈥檚 stadium is the first of its kind in the Lower Mainland, created specifically to host soccer matches at the highest professional level, he explained.
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The brand new stadium can seat more than 6,500 fans and features a supporters鈥� section in the south grandstand. And fans in attendance for Sunday鈥檚 home opener will be the first to experience this intimate, fan-friendly atmosphere that is unique to VFC matches.
鈥淭his new stadium adds another level of professional sports to the 91原创 area,鈥� said Friend.
鈥淭he beautiful thing about VFC鈥檚 stadium is its ability to grow and expand with the needs of the community and we are excited to be a part of that growth.鈥�
Vancouver FC was founded in 2022 as part of the Canadian Premier League, and kicked off its season last month with a few away games.
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Vancouver FC will offer many exciting activities that will be fun for all ages during its home opener, with the gates opening at 2:30 p.m.
A key feature to the off-pitch entertainment is Vancouver FC鈥檚 Family Zone. Fans are encouraged to arrive early and experience everything this area has to offer including inflatable games, facepainters, balloon artists, and live music from local DJ Floetic.
Those fans in attendance Sunday also get an exclusive opportunity to meet VFC鈥檚 newest signing, the club鈥檚 to-be-unveiled mascot. A best kept secret, the mascot will mix and mingle in the Family Zone and throughout the stadium at every home game, getting to know all of VFC鈥檚 incredible fans.
VFC鈥檚 home opener festivities will also include rally towels for the first 4,000 fans through the gates, local country recording artist Karen-Lee Batten performing the Canadian national anthem, and guest speeches by CPL Commissioner Mark Noonan and 91原创 Township Mayor Eric Woodward.
Other highlights that day will include a craft beer corner, food trucks, and a book signing station featuring Farhan Devji, author of Alphonso Davies: A New Hope, noted Mark Rogers, managing director for the club.
鈥淐ommunity means everything to us at VFC,鈥� Rogers said. 鈥淲e want to not only provide the best entertainment experience on and off the pitch, but also give back to those who make this endeavor as special as it is.鈥�
As of Friday, tickets to Vancouver FC鈥檚 historic home opener are already 75 per cent sold out.
Fans can purchase their tickets or in person at the 91原创 Events Centre ticketing office. Parking is free of charge for all Vancouver FC matches.
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