Los Angeles FC has sold its majority stake in Grasshopper Club Zurich to Bridge Football Group Switzerland AG, ending a turbulent ownership stint that lasted barely two and a half years. The sale, announced on June 29, covers LAFC’s stake exceeding 90% of the storied Swiss club.
LAFC acquired GCZ from Chinese owners in January 2024 with ambitions of building a transatlantic football empire. By April 2026, the club was back on the market. The reason: fans weren’t having it.
Fan pressure forced LAFC’s hand
Grasshopper Club Zurich isn’t just any Swiss team. Founded in 1886, it holds 27 league titles, making it the most successful club in Swiss football history.
Intensified fan protests in April 2026 over the club’s performance and ownership dynamics pushed LAFC to publicly offer GCZ for sale. The timeline from “maybe we should sell” to “sold” was roughly two months.
