Peter Moore, founding owner of Santa Barbara Sky FC, at Harder Stadium
Featured image credit: UCSB Intercollegiate Athletics Department
Memphis 901 FC has lost its United Soccer League (USL) franchise after failing to secure a dedicated venue in the Tennessee city.
The USL has announced that Memphis 901 FC’s franchise rights have been switched to Santa Barbara SKY FC effective immediately. The California team, owned by former Liverpool FC chief executive Peter Moore, will play at the 17,000-capacity Harder Stadium through a partnership with University of California, Santa Barbara. The Santa Barbara team will join the USL Championship, which is the tier below Major League Soccer (MLS), in 2026.
Memphis’ franchise was withdrawn after six years in the USL Championship, during which it was unable to put a viable, long-term stadium solution in place. In 2022, Memphis 901 and the City of Memphis announced plans to construct a new 10,000-person, soccer specific stadium within Liberty Park, but ultimately funds were transferred to other projects in the city.
“After evaluating multiple potential stadium options, unfortunately, the path to finding a permanent home for Memphis 901 FC did not materialise,” said Justin Papadakis, the USL’s deputy chief executive officer and chief real estate officer.
“A stadium is the cornerstone of a club’s long-term stability and growth. In the USL Championship, clubs like Louisville City FC and Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC have shown how investing in soccer-specific venues creates lifelong fan connections and contributes meaningfully to the local economy. These stadiums are essential to our vision for professional soccer, creating spaces where clubs integrate deeply with their communities, fostering local pride, and positively impacting the region.”
In a statement, Memphis 901 said: “From the beginning, we emphasised that a soccer-specific stadium was essential for the long-term viability of professional soccer in Memphis. Following the city’s direction, we participated in multiple trips to lobby the Tennessee legislature in 2023 for a $350m cash grant to fund sports facilities, including a new soccer stadium and renovations to AutoZone Park. While the State of Tennessee fulfilled this grant to Memphis, funding for the Liberty Park soccer stadium and AutoZone Park was unceremoniously left out. In the past year, we have explored additional options, but unfortunately time was not on our side.”
Harder Stadium enhancements
Meanwhile, Santa Barbara SKY FC has committed to further enhancements at the soccer-specific Harder Stadium, including upgraded fan facilities and improved amenities, to create a top-tier matchday experience in preparation for their 2026 debut.
“This is an incredible moment for Santa Barbara and our soccer community,” CEO Moore said. “Joining the USL Championship allows us to compete at the league’s highest level and bring professional soccer to an area with deep roots in the sport. Our partnership and investment with UCSB’s Harder stadium underscores the team’s stability, strengthens our ties to the community, and delivers a world-class experience for players and fans alike.”
Several USL have developed soccer-specific stadiums in recent years, with Lexington SC opening a 7,500-seat venue earlier this year. Rhode Island FC will debut a 10,500-seat stadium next season, while Sacramento Republic FC has announced its plans for a new stadium at The Railyards, which will anchor a 31-acre development to revitalise downtown and create new economic opportunities.
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