On November 2, 2022, the club held its official launch event where it announced its name; revealed its branding; and presented Afshin Ghotbi as the club's first head coach.[4] The CPL announced that the club would begin league play for the 2023 season.[5]
Vancouver FC played its first league match on April 15, 2023, away to provincial rivals Pacific FC. The match ended in a 1–0 victory for Pacific with Manny Aparicio becoming the first-ever goalscorer against Vancouver.[7] On matchday two, Vancouver defeated York United FC 2–1 for the club's inaugural victory. Shaan Hundal scored the first-ever goal for the club, while Gael Sandoval scored the eventual game-winner.[8][9]
The club faced Cavalry FC in its first home match at the newly-constructed Willoughby Stadium at Langley Events Centre in front of a sell-out crowd of over 6,500 fans on May 7, 2023.[10] Despite playing a man-down for over an hour after a red card was shown to Rocco Romeo, the club managed a 1–1 draw. First-ever Vancouver FC scorer Shaan Hundal scored the equalizing goal which was also the first home goal in club history.[11]
Vancouver participated in the 2023 Canadian Championship for the first time but lost in the opening round to York United. The club ended their inaugural CPL season in seventh place out of eight – with a record of 8 wins, 5 draws, and 15 losses – and missed the playoffs by nine points.[12] In 2024, Vancouver once again lost in the first round of the Canadian Championship and finished second last in the CPL. Vancouver started the season strong and sat in 2nd place at the end of June but then won only two of their final sixteen matches to fall out of playoff contention.[13]
On July 23, 2025, Vancouver FC relieved manager Afshin Ghotbi of his duties.[14] Despite still being active in the semifinals of the 2025 Canadian Championship at the time of the coaching change,[15] the club sat in last place in the CPL with only 8 points through 15 matches played.[16] Over Ghotbi's two-and-a-half year tenure, the club held a combined 16–22–38 record.[14] Under interim manager Martin Nash, the team earned 13 points in their final 13 games but still finished the season in last place in the CPL. The team did reach the finals of the Canadian Championship where they were defeated by their crosstown rivals Vancouver Whitecaps FC by a score of 4–2. Despite the loss in the final and their regular season record, Vancouver FC qualified for the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup.[17]
The primary crest is circular and features the name of the club and year of establishment in the outer ring. In the centre is a stylized eagle in the shape of the letter V. The club colours are black, grey, and red (branded as charcoal black, silver, warm red, dark grey, and cinder).[18]
Vancouver FC play in a new stadium at Willoughby Stadium at Langley Events Centre.[4] It has a capacity of 6,560 seats in its initial configuration, with potential for further expansion. The construction operations began in February 2023 and involved the usage of modular prefabricated elements.[22]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Rob Friend
Philip Lund
Iran
Gabriel Bitar
Alejandro Díaz
Ndiaye Pathé
Uruguay
Haiti
Peru
Republic of Korea
Ireland
Uganda
Ghana
