Jacksonville Armada stadium deal in limbo as key deadline approaches – News4JAX

Jacksonville Armada stadium deal in limbo as key deadline approaches  News4JAX

The future of an $80 million soccer stadium in downtown Jacksonville is uncertain, and the clock is ticking. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The future of an $80 million soccer stadium in downtown Jacksonville is uncertain, and the clock is ticking. Majority owner and Jacksonville attorney Chris Campione says his ownership group is ready to build the Armada FC a new stadium on the city’s Historic Eastside — but MLS Next Pro, the team’s league, has not approved the deal. Now, a city-imposed deadline is days away. The pressure became public when Campione and fellow investor Victor Patel posted a statement saying “there are forces and interests outside of their control.” They announced they would suspend the ownership group’s operations on September 4 if league approval does not come through.

Campione told News4JAX the delay has been grinding on for roughly a year. “We’re running up on deadlines with the city of Jacksonville concerning the land where the stadium is supposed to be built,” Campione said. “Obviously there is deal fatigue given the extended period of time and lack of movement and direction from the league.” The land in the Historic Eastside was originally sold for $1, contingent on stadium development. The city has since extended its deadline. “We extended the deadline to September 10, 2026,” said Phil Perry, Chief Communications Officer.