On April 22, Vancouver City Council approved a motion directing staff to initiate an open and competitive Expression of Interest (EOI) process to identify a potential ownership group to work with the City in pursuing a Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise for Vancouver.

The EOI process will invite interested parties to submit proposals demonstrating financial capacity, expertise, and a feasible approach to supporting a potential MLB bid.

Details about the EOI, including submission requirements and timelines, are available at the City of Vancouver Procurement Opportunities page.

The City's role is to protect the public interest while running a fair and transparent process to assess whether a suitable ownership group exists.

This is an early-stage step. The City is not approving a stadium, selecting a site, or committing to a team.

There is no commitment of public funding. Any future proposal would require Council approval and would be subject to full regulatory processes, including public consultation.

As part of the EOI, proponents will be required to:

• Demonstrate financial capacity, expertise, and governance structure to support a credible MLB bid 
• Outline a clear plan should the bid be successful 

Following the EOI, staff will evaluate submissions and report back to Council with recommended next steps, which may include a high-level Memorandum of Understanding with a selected proponent. If no suitable ownership group is identified, the process will not proceed further.

Vancouver has a strong and established baseball community, including the Vancouver Canadians, who continue to draw strong support at Nat Bailey Stadium. 

No decisions are being made at this stage regarding a potential site or the future of existing facilities or teams. Any such considerations would require further analysis, engagement, and Council approval.