Vancouver selects local group to pursue Major League Baseball team

By Noah Lavoie — 29 July 2026 — 3 min read

Vancouver’s MLB Expansion Bid

The City of Vancouver has chosen a group led by local real estate developer Zack Ross as its preferred partner in the pursuit of a Major League Baseball expansion franchise. Ross, who serves as president of Cape Group, heads The Show Vancouver, an organization established with the goal of bringing an MLB team to the city.

The proposal from The Show Vancouver centers on the development of a new ballpark alongside a mixed-use complex. While this is a core component of their plan, specific details regarding the project’s site, its estimated cost, or its projected economic impact have not yet been disclosed. Furthermore, the group has not outlined how the project would be financed.

Mayor Ken Sim initiated an expression-of-interest process earlier this spring, seeking a qualified ownership group. This group needed to demonstrate both the financial capacity and the necessary experience to advance an MLB bid for Vancouver.

League Expansion and Local Impact

Although MLB has not formally announced plans for expansion, commissioner Rob Manfred indicated in October that another Canadian city could potentially join the league. Manfred has previously expressed a desire for MLB to expand from 30 to 32 teams before his scheduled retirement in 2029.

The city council has directed staff to enter into a memorandum of understanding with The Show Vancouver. This agreement aims to establish a framework for collaboration, which includes conducting due diligence for potential ballpark sites. The city has stated that The Show Vancouver will be responsible for all costs and financial risks associated with preparing and advancing its MLB bid.

Ross emphasized in a news release that the proposal focuses on the new ballpark development. He also stated that Vancouver is a significant global city that deserves a Major League Baseball team, viewing the potential team as a community asset.

Historical Context and Project Partners

Vancouver has a history with Major League Baseball, having hosted several exhibition series at BC Place Stadium between 1984 and 1994. These games featured teams such as the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, and Montreal Expos. However, a $500-million renovation completed in 2011, which included a centre-hung scoreboard and a cable-supported retractable roof, rendered the stadium unsuitable for baseball.

The Show Vancouver has formed partnerships with several entities to support its bid. These include BRS Sports, a sports marketing and analytics company whose principals include former NHL executive Jac Sperling, sports venue consultant Tim Romani, and Denver real estate executive Ray Baker. The group has also retained the services of ballpark architecture firm Populous, project management firm CAA Icon, and architecture and design firm Gensler to assist in developing their proposal.

The announcement of The Show Vancouver’s selection garnered endorsements from Greater Vancouver Board of Trade president Bridgitte Anderson and former B.C. premier Mike Harcourt. Currently, Vancouver is home to the Vancouver Canadians, the Blue Jays’ single-A affiliate, which plays at the 6,500-seat Nat Bailey Stadium.

The city will collaborate with The Show Vancouver as the group explores a potential expansion bid, with any future project agreements, including site selection and land-use decisions, subject to council approval.

Source: tsn.ca