Christine Sinclair is set to be honoured in many ways when she takes the pitch next week in Vancouver for her final appearance with Canada's national women's soccer team.
But the celebration will begin outside BC Place when fans take notice of the stadium's new name for the day.
The venue will be renamed "Christine Sinclair Place" — or "CS Place" for short — to recognize the Burnaby soccer legend, her accomplishments and her contributions to the game in the province, Canada and around the world.
"Christine Sinclair is not just a national hero; she's a hometown hero," said BC Place general manager Chris May in a news release today, Nov. 27, noting the facility will be light up red and white with Sinclair's iconic number 12 on match day.
"Growing up in Burnaby, her journey to international stardom resonates deeply with the local community. By renaming BC Place as 'Christine Sinclair Place' for her final match, we are also paying tribute to the profound impact she has had on her hometown and its aspiring athletes."
Sinclair's swan song will be a friendly against Australia starting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 5.
She formally announced her retirement from international competition on Oct. 20.
This after nearly 25 years with the senior squad, including six trips to the World Cup and 190 goals that's solidified her title as the world's leading goal scorer.
The stat was done in 327 caps since coming onto the scene as a 16-year-old on March 12, 2000.
"In terms of what I've done and knowing the work I've put into it, I have zero regrets," Sinclair said in an interview with The Canadian Press.
"I know I've done everything I can for as long as I can. And the team's in good hands moving forward."
Sinclair will also end her Canadian career by playing her 10th-ever match at BC Place.
Other key contests at the stadium included the 2012 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament Final against the U.S., the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup quarterfinal against England and the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics gold-medal celebration tour against Nigeria in 2022.
Her last meaningful game on home soil was on Sept. 26 in Toronto when she came off the bench in the second half of Canada's 4-1 aggregate win over Jamaica to qualify for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.
"The legacy of Christine's career has and will live on beyond her tremendous accomplishments on the field," added Charmaine Crooks, President of Canada Soccer.
"The renaming of BC Place for her final match is a fitting tribute given her west coast roots and the iconic moments at the venue where we have celebrated together as a nation."
Concession stands at BC Place for the Dec. 5 match are set to include some of Sinclair's favourite foods.
For more information about Sinclair's final match, you can visit the BC Place and Canada Soccer websites.
