MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The USL made it official Thursday that 901 FC has played its final game in Memphis by approving the team's move to California, effective immediately. The team will be rebranded as the Santa Barbara Sky for the 2026 season. 901 FC leaving Memphis for Santa Barbara: USL What it all boils down to is the fact that the team and the City of Memphis could never come to terms on a new soccer-specific stadium. For the past six years, 901 FC played its games at AutoZone Park, sharing that facility with the city's triple-A baseball team, the Memphis Redbirds. 901 FC was hoping that funding for a new stadium would come from the $350 million allocated by the state for stadium renovations in Memphis. But all that money went to FedExForum and Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, leaving 901 FC — and soccer in Memphis — on the outside looking in, without a new place to call home. The team said in a statement they were "forever grateful. It has been a tremendous honor to represent this incredible community.” But it also was clear about why it was leaving. "While the State of Tennessee fulfilled this grant to Memphis, funding for the Liberty Park soccer stadium and AutoZone Park was unceremoniously left out," the team said. “After evaluating multiple potential stadium options, unfortunately, the path to finding a permanent home for Memphis 901 FC did not materialize,” said Justin Papadakis, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Real Estate Officer. “A stadium is the cornerstone of a club’s long-term stability and growth. 901 FC’s final game was on November 2 when they lost in the Western Conference quarterfinals to Orange County, capping off six seasons in the Bluff City.