With just a few short months remaining before Vancouver Whitecaps FC take to the pitch as the 17th team in Major League Soccer (MLS), the club formally unveiled their new brand and logo, and announced a second and final season ticket deposit window that will open to fans this weekend.
"Today was a historic moment for our club, our fans, and our city. I believe our fans and our players will take immense pride in wearing the logo we’ve unveiled here today – and that it will set the tone for the many great years to come,” stated Whitecaps FC chief executive officer Paul Barber. “Having now shared the basis of our club’s new identity, I know our fans will be even more anxious to show their pride and see it come to life in the stands and on the pitch – so I’m also pleased to share the news that we are offering fans the chance to secure their opportunity to be there when we kick off the 2011 season.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2011 season ticket deposits for the club’s inaugural campaign will go on sale again to the general public this Saturday, June 12, at 10 a.m. PT. Season tickets will start at $319, and will include a minimum of 17 matches throughout the season.
This public sales window is just the second opportunity for fans to purchase deposits. The sales window follows a highly successful initial first offering over a year ago where more than 5,000 deposits sold in less than 48 hours. Since that time, an additional 5,000 deposits have been sold to existing season ticket holders, partners, and members of the waitlist. The club will cap season tickets for the 2011 season at 16,500.
In addition to releasing information on tickets, the club also unveiled the new brand and logo following a 10-month consultation process that included world-renowned soccer brand adidas, Publicis Canada, Whitecaps FC ownership group, staff, fans, and season ticket holders. The new brand and logo, which will be used throughout the club come November 2010, draws its inspiration from the spectacular geography of Western Canada's largest city, as well as the club's long tradition of success. The new brand will see Whitecaps FC continue their long tradition of using white as one of their primary colours, while the club have also incorporated the colour of 'deep sea' blue as a reflection of Vancouver's natural landscape.
Brand Launch Video
"This new logo and brand takes into account the rich history and tradition that we have established as a club, while providing a fresh representation of one of the most beautiful cities in the world," said Whitecaps FC president Bob Lenarduzzi. "The new brand and logo not only engages our many fans that have supported us since 1974, it will also engage new fans to our club and to the MLS with a symbol that truly reflects Vancouver and the incredible landscape that makes this city unique."
The new logo sees the words 'Vancouver Whitecaps FC' written in white on a deep sea blue background, with the renowned mountains of Vancouver's north shore sitting above the club's name in white and reflecting down on the city's waterfront - below the club name. The colour used to symbolize the refection of the mountains on the waterfront is a lighter blue or “Whitecaps blue”, which pays tribute to the primary colour on the club’s logo worn during the historic 1979 Soccer Bowl championship. Lining the new mark is the colour silver, a distinct nod to the club's numerous championship titles that have been won since 1974.
A limited line of Whitecaps FC merchandise, including adidas scarves and t-shirts featuring the newly unveiled logo, are now available for sale online at whitecapsfc.com, during matches this season at Swangard Stadium, and at "The Tourist Shop" retail location in the Sears Shopping Centre at Pacific Centre Mall in downtown Vancouver (701, Granville Street).
Whitecaps FC fans will be able to purchase a Vancouver MLS season ticket deposit for $50, beginning Saturday, June 12, at 10 a.m. PT. For more information regarding MLS season ticket deposits, visit whitecapsfc.com.
About Vancouver Whitecaps FC
In 1974, Vancouver Whitecaps FC played their inaugural season in the North American Soccer League, and in 1979, the club won the NASL Soccer Bowl championship. From 1987 to 1992, as a member of the Canadian Soccer League, Vancouver won four straight CSL titles. In 2002, the Whitecaps created a full club model that encompasses professional teams for men and women, extensive youth development and grassroots participation programs, facility development, and the Whitecaps Foundation to support specific initiatives related to health and wellness through soccer. Since 2004, the Whitecaps have won two United Soccer Leagues First Division championships and two USL W-League championships. In 2011, Vancouver will begin their inaugural season in Major League Soccer at Empire Field before moving into the new BC Place Stadium in downtown Vancouver.
