The 2016 soccer calendar: Key dates to remember for the upcoming season

BC Place - inside stadium - overhead - first playoff match

Soccer lovers, rejoice!


It’s shaping up to be quite the year. The 2016 soccer calendar will feature the European Championship, the Copa America Centenario, and the Olympic Games. Oh, and Canada will also continue its World Cup qualifying campaign, including a date vs. CONCACAF powerhouse Mexico at BC Place.


Speaking of BC Place, that’s where Vancouver Whitecaps FC will open the 2016 MLS regular season on March 6 vs. longtime Canadian rival Montreal Impact.


The complete 2016 MLS schedule will be released this Thursday.


Here are a few more dates to remember:


Jan. 7: Full MLS schedule release


Jan. 7-12: MLS Combine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida


Jan. 11: FIFA Ballon d’Or Ceremony


Jan. 14: MLS SuperDraft in Baltimore, Maryland


Jan. 23: Whitecaps FC players report for training camp/medical testing


Jan. 31: Whitecaps FC depart for Tucson, Arizona


Feb. 3-9: Desert Friendlies in Tucson (‘Caps to face Seattle, San Jose, and Houston)


Feb. 5:Canadian men’s national team friendly vs. the U.S. in Carson, California


Feb. 10-21: CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Houston and Dallas


Feb. 21-27: Simple Invitational in Portland (‘Caps to face Chicago, Portland, and Minnesota United)


March 6: First day of 2016 MLS regular season (‘Caps to host Montreal Impact)


March 25:Canada vs. Mexico World Cup qualifier at BC Place


March 29: Mexico vs. Canada World Cup qualifier at Estadio Azteca


April 20 and 27: 2015-16 CONCACAF Champions League Final


June 2-14: MLS break for Copa America Centenario


June 3-26:Copa America Centenario in the U.S.


June 10-July 20:Euro 2016 in France


June/July: 2016 Amway Canadian Championship


Late July: 2016 MLS All-Star Game in San Jose


August 3-20: 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil


Sept. 2: Honduras vs. Canada World Cup qualifier in Honduras


Sept. 6: Canada vs. El Salvador World Cup qualifier in Canada


Nov. 7: Fifth round of CONCACAF qualifying (“The Hex”) for 2018 World Cup begins


Nov. 13-Dec. 6: 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Papua New Guinea


Early December: 2016 MLS Cup

The 2016 soccer calendar: Key dates to remember for the upcoming season -

Be a part of the best sporting atmosphere in Vancouver! 2016 Whitecaps FC Season Tickets are on sale from $39/month all in. In addition to Season Tickets, Whitecaps FC offer a flexible range of ticket products, including Half-Season Packs, 5-Packs, a Youth Soccer Half-Season Ticket, and single match tickets. For more information, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.