The Roots confirmed Thursday they'll play their final season at the Oakland Coliseum in 2026, citing costs and lost operational control — while the building's buyer, Oakland Acquisition Company, majority-owned by John Fisher, has missed multiple purchase payments and not yet closed the deal.

The Oakland Roots confirmed Thursday they will play their final season at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in 2026, leaving a venue whose buyer — Oakland Acquisition Company, majority-owned by John Fisher — has missed multiple payment deadlines and has not yet completed the purchase.

The club, which competes in USL Championship's second division, cited "limitations around event control, matchday flexibility, the fan experience, and operating costs" in a statement reported by East Bay Times reporter Michael Nowels. President Lindsay Barenz was more direct: "it is not a viable ongoing option for us as the relationship is currently structured." Seven home games remain at the Coliseum, starting July 25 against Sacramento Republic FC. The last is October 10 against San Antonio FC.

The building they're leaving is itself in financial limbo. OAC — led operationally by Ray Bobbitt of AASEG and majority-owned by Fisher — paid a $5 million deposit toward a combined purchase the city values at approximately $105–110 million and Alameda County at $115 million, per a May 2026 county term sheet. OAC then missed multiple subsequent payment deadlines in fall 2024, according to the Oakland Report. Oakland triggered a contingency budget in December 2024, resulting in fire station closures and $25 million in police overtime cuts. A non-binding term sheet targets a commercial closing by June 30, 2026, contingent on resolution of a Surplus Lands Act lawsuit by Communities for a Better Environment. Full payment is due no later than August 31, 2027.

Fisher is the thread connecting Oakland's two departures. He relocated the Athletics to Sacramento in 2023, creating the Coliseum vacancy the Roots stepped into. His OAC now controls the facility the Roots are walking away from — including the parking lot where the club says it may build a temporary pop-up stadium as a bridge to something permanent.

That something permanent has no committed financing. The club lists three options: the parking lot pop-up, a permanent stadium at Howard Terminal, and possible use of its Alameda training facility, which hosted Australia's national team during this summer's World Cup. None has a signed lease or approved design. The Roots drew 26,000 fans to their 2025 Coliseum home opener, per team figures; 2026 attendance was not disclosed in Thursday's statement.