Lexington SC Stadium

Lexington SC Stadium

Lexington SC Stadium Location within Kentucky Show map of Kentucky Lexington SC Stadium Lexington SC Stadium (the United States) Show map of the United States
Address	200 Shives Drive Lexington, Kentucky U.S.
Coordinates	37°57′43″N84°23′31″W / 37.962°N 84.392°W / 37.962; -84.392
Capacity	7,500
Acreage	30 acres
Surface	Grass
Construction
Broke ground	October 10, 2023
Opened	September 8, 2024 (2024-09-08)
Construction cost	$82,000,000 USD
Architect	Gensler
Builder	Stadium Structures
Tenants
Lexington SC (USLC) 2024–present Lexington SC Women (USLS) 2024–present

Lexington SC Stadium is a soccer-specific stadium in Lexington, Kentucky. The stadium is home to Lexington SC's men's and women's teams, playing in the USL Championship ^[1] and the USL Super League, respectively. The stadium has a capacity of 7,500, with the ability to be expanded to 11,000 with renovations. ^{[2] [3] [4]}

History

Planning and previous iterations

Originally, the team had plans for a downtown stadium as a part of the Lexington Center Corporation's High Street Development Project. ^[5] The proposed location for the facility was in the heart of downtown, directly across the street from Central Bank Center ^[6] and Rupp Arena, ^[7] a multi-purpose venue that hosts the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team, concerts, conventions, and shows. However, the team later withdrew this proposal and looked for other locations. ^[8]

It was later announced that the stadium would be built in its current location in October 2023, after a city council meeting voted to allow a zoning change to the area to allow for stadium construction. ^{[9] [10]} The new stadium, part of a larger complex that will house the club's youth fields, was to be built off of Athens–Boonesboro Road near Interstate 75. ^{[11] [12]}

Construction and opening

Construction took place between October 2023 to August 2024, being completed with a capacity of 7,500 but with the possibility of expansion to 11,000. ^{[3] [13]}

The stadium opened on September 8, 2024, with a USL Super League match between Lexington SC Women and Tampa Bay Sun FC. ^[14] In the first match played in stadium history, the home team lost 3–2. ^[15]

References

1. "Lexington Sporting Club to join USL Championship for 2025 season". USL Championship. August 13, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
2. "Stadium Info". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
3. Makauskas, Caroline (February 21, 2024). "'We will be playing in August.' Lexington Sporting Club updates progress on new stadium". Lexington Herald-Leader . Retrieved September 14, 2024.
4. Yang, Steph; Rueter, Jeff (February 14, 2024) [February 13, 2024]. "What we know about the USL Super League so far: When they'll play, how it fits with the NWSL and more". The New York Times . ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved July 1, 2024.
5. "Lexington Center Corporation requests proposals for High Street Development Project". WLEX-TV. September 17, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
6. Lofton, Shelby (April 21, 2022). "Business owners ready for increased foot traffic following the official opening of Central Bank Center". WKYT-TV.
7. Lofton, Shelby (January 21, 2022). "Lexington Pro Soccer releases renderings of proposed stadium". WSAZ-TV.
8. Hedrick, Chad (June 21, 2022). "Lexington Sporting Club plans to build complex off Newtown Pike". WYMT-TV . Retrieved December 29, 2022.
9. "Lexington Sporting Club announces official plans for new stadium". Fox News 56. October 10, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
10. Drummond, Cameron (April 12, 2023). "Lexington Sporting Club looking at new location for soccer stadium that includes incentives". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
11. Schick, Austin (October 10, 2023). "Lexington Sporting Club selects site, unveils plans for stadium". Spectrum News . Retrieved September 14, 2024.
12. McGary, John (October 12, 2023). "Plans unveiled for pro soccer stadium near I-75 for Lexington's men's and women's teams". The Lexington Times. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
13. Drummond, Cameron (September 9, 2024). "'It's an exciting day.' Lexington Sporting Club opens its new soccer-specific stadium". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
14. "Tickets On Sale Today for Lexington Sporting Club Super League's Inaugural Home Match Against Tampa Bay Sun FC" (Press release). Lexington SC. August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
15. Medina, Ana (September 9, 2024). "Lexington SC debuts new stadium in Super League match". WTVQ-DT . Retrieved September 14, 2024.