A settlement proposal in a class-action lawsuit will not compensate numerous ticket purchasers who missed out on the opportunity to watch soccer icons Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suarez compete in a Vancouver Whitecaps match at B.C. Place in May 2024 despite advertised claims. Instead, the proposed settlement suggests that the Whitecaps allocate $475,000, with a potential deduction of up to one-third for the plaintiffs’ legal representatives, to three charitable organizations.
The specifics of the settlement were disclosed on Monday by the legal firm representing the individual from Burnaby, British Columbia, who initiated the lawsuit. In his legal action, Ho Chun asserts that he paid $404 for a pair of tickets to witness Inter Miami CF play against the Whitecaps in a game where the participation of the three renowned Miami players was promoted but did not materialize. The lawsuit describes the situation as a “bait-and-switch” scenario, pointing to various forms of marketing, including print, online, social media, and billboard advertisements that featured the trio.
The Vancouver Whitecaps communicated via email to CBC News that “A settlement has been reached in the class action relating to the Whitecaps FC v. Inter Miami CF game on May 25, 2024. The settlement is subject to approval by the British Columbia Supreme Court.” Evolink, the law firm representing the class action claimants, declined to provide any comments.
As per the proposed settlement terms, the Whitecaps will update their ticketing terms and conditions to clarify that player rosters are subject to change and are not guaranteed. Furthermore, the team will include similar information in Ticketmaster pop-up notices and enhance the visibility of the revised terms and conditions on their website.
Initially seeking a full reimbursement for unused tickets and a partial refund for utilized tickets, Ho Chun’s lawsuit demanded the price difference between the Miami game and the average cost of other Whitecaps matches. It alleged that the Whitecaps and the MLS were negligent in confirming the participation of Messi, Suarez, and/or Busquets in the Vancouver versus Miami fixture.
The three designated sports charities set to receive the remaining funds from the $475,000 settlement are KidSport B.C., Canada SCORES, and BGC South Coast B.C. A settlement approval hearing is arranged for February 27, 2026, at the B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver.
When doubts initially arose in 2024 regarding Messi, Suarez, and Busquets’ availability for the match, Whitecaps CEO Axel Schuster issued an online statement, stating, “Unfortunately, we have no control over who plays for our opponent, and it was important for us to communicate to our fans as soon as possible.” The Whitecaps sought to appease disgruntled fans by providing a 50% discount on concessions at the unplayed game, along with a complimentary meal combo for attendees under 18, and subsequently offering free tickets to another regular season game in 2024 for all spectators present.