Santa Barbara Sky FC will no longer be debuting in the USL Championship in spring 2027.
Sky FC has postponed its inaugural season for the fourth time since announcing the team in 2022. This time, the delay is due to its potential ownership group failing to come to terms with UC Santa Barbara on a “lease agreement that works with both parties,” according to Sky FC.
The organization is now searching for other potential ownership groups, and there is no longer a timeline for the opening season of Santa Barbara Sky FC. The club was announced to play its home games at UCSB’s Harder Stadium after failing to reach an agreement with Santa Barbara City College.
“It’s been an incredibly challenging last few months as we have tried to finalize ownership and capital structure in order for us to commence play in 2027,” Sky FC founder Peter Moore told Noozhawk. “Unfortunately, the time has run out.”
Santa Barbara Sky FC is no longer included on USL Championship’s website page for future clubs. The five clubs announced to be joining the USL in 2027 are Atletico Dallas, Sporting Cascades, Port St. Lucie SC, Fort Lauderdale United FC and Thousand Oaks (Name TBD).
USL Championship is a men’s professional soccer league one level below Major League Soccer (MLS). The league features 25 teams across the nation and has been running since 2011.
Fans who placed season ticket deposits for the 2027 season can request a full refund by emailing skyfcinfo@gmail.com with their first name, last name and mailing address.
