Pacific FC’s long-term future at Starlight Stadium remains uncertain after negotiations with the City of Langford stalled, forcing the Canadian Premier League club into a temporary game-by-game arrangement for the upcoming season.
The city confirmed this week that talks with Pacific FC over a new stadium use agreement and the Island Training Centre lease have not resulted in a deal.
As a result, the team will be required to secure stadium access one match at a time, paying the full use fee at least two weeks in advance of each game.
City officials say the decision allows the 2026 season to proceed while addressing ongoing financial concerns and protecting Langford taxpayers.
Behind the temporary arrangement is a growing divide over money and contractual obligations. The city says Pacific FC owes more than $90,000 in game-related costs, along with nearly $700,000 connected to the Indoor Training Centre agreement.
Additional amounts are also owed to third-party operators, including more than $24,000 to the field operator and the food and beverage provider.
The dispute became public in September after Pacific FC co-founder Josh Simpson said the city had become “not exactly simple to work with since the departure of former mayor Stew Young.”
Following the city’s announcement today, Langford city councillor Keith Yacucha released two videos on Facebook providing additional context around the stalled negotiations.
In the videos, Yacucha said talks between the city and the club have reached an impasse.
“I value the role that this club plays in our community, they provide tremendous community benefits,” Yacucha said in one of the videos.
“However, I believe we cannot continue to subsidize a for-profit venture.”
Yacucha said the city has received recent legal advice indicating that some of the financial concessions previously made to the team fall outside the legal framework of the Community Charter.
“I want to be clear, in no way am I suggesting that previous councils acted in bad faith,” he said.
“They were very likely acting entirely within their understanding of the law at that time. However, now that we’ve been made aware that these actions are outside of the statute, we have a duty to act immediately.”
In a second video, Yacucha said the city has effectively been treated as an “unwilling creditor” by the club.
“Each year, delaying payments to the city, they have been essentially taking hundreds of thousands of dollars from the city on a short-term loan, using Langford taxpayers as a creditor,” he said.
“This is not good business practice. This is not a good partnership, and this is not fair or sustainable for the city or for our taxpayers.”
Langford says it remains hopeful the outstanding issues can be resolved and a long-term agreement can still be reached.
In response, Pacific FC says it remains committed to Langford while acknowledging ongoing disagreements with Langford over the interpretation and application of existing agreements.
“Langford has long been Pacific FC’s home, and the club has invested deeply in the community. However, there are material areas of disagreement between Pacific FC and the City regarding the interpretation and application of our agreements,” said managing director Ross Marshall.
The club confirmed it will pay the stadium-use fee requested by the City in order to protect the 2026 season. Pacific FC also said it remains willing to reengage in good faith to resolve outstanding matters directly and work toward an outcome that benefits both supporters and the broader community.
Victoria Buzz has reached out to former Langford mayor Stew Young for comment and will update this story if a response is received.
Until then, Pacific FC will continue playing home matches on a game-by-game basis.
