Pacific Available For Purchase: Founding CPL Club Exploring Sale

The Canadian Premier League’s only example of multi-club ownership might be in for a change with Pacific FC exploring the sale of the top flight Canadian club.

The move comes pointedly ahead of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, with plenty of eyes on Canada as a co-host country. Evidently, the current PFC ownership wants to strike while the iron is hot.

Pacific says the club remains committed to operating status quo throughout the process. Co-owner Josh Simpson told the Times Columnist that the sale will not be rushed and that they are not looking to move to another location.

The announcement comes just one year after club ownership had denied the team was for sale back in the spring of 2024.

A club statement says that the decision comes after thoughtful evaluation of Pacific’s journey to becoming a firmly-established organization and reflects a commitment to ensuring the club and league’s continued growth and long-term success.

Founded in 2018, the Langford-based club has represented Vancouver Isle through six full seasons of Canadian Premier League action, and is currently in year seven.

“From day one, we believed that Pacific FC could be something special,” says Pacific FC co-founder and SixFive Sports & Entertainment President Josh Simpson, who is presently located in Europe.

He says that Pacific has already generated considerable interest, even saying there was firm interest from at least six groups – though it’s unclear what SixFive Sports & Entertainment is seeking as compensation for the founding CPL club.

A different CPL club owner speaking with Northern Tribune last season had once quipped every club in sports is for sale all the time for the right buyer, though SixFive Sports & Entertainment is taking a much more direct route to trim down their league holdings.

“What we’ve built together with the community, players, staff, and supporters has surpassed our hopes. It’s been an honour to help bring professional soccer to Vancouver Island. With a strong foundation now in place, it’s time for a new group to lead the club into its next chapter of growth and success.”

Pacific is currently undergoing a tough season in the CPL, a far cry from the club’s 2021 national title. Still, the team is currently averaging nearly 3,000 fans, almost twice that of SixFive’s mainland side Vancouver FC.

The sale will be overseen by Knightsbridge Capital, which is run by Dean Shillington – one of the SixFive Sports and Entertainment owners.

Following the planned sale, SixFive has confirmed that it will retain ownership of Vancouver FC.

Header Image Photo Credit: Sheldon Mack