Lexington SC Stadium

Lexington SC Stadium

Address	200 Shives Drive
Location	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
Construction cost	$82,000,000 USD
Architect	Gensler
Builder	Stadium Structures
Tenants
Lexington SC (2024–present) Lexington SC Women (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. ^{[13] [14]}

The stadium opened on September 8, 2024, with a USL Super League match between Lexington SC Women and Tampa Bay Sun FC. ^[15] In the first match played in stadium history, the home team lost 3–2. ^[16]

References

1. "Lexington Sporting Club to join USL Championship for 2025 season". USL Championship. 2024-08-13. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
2. "Stadium Info". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
3. "'We will be playing in August.' Lexington Sporting Club updates progress on new stadium".
4. Yang, Steph; Rueter, Jeff. "What we know about the USL Super League so far". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2024-07-01.
5. "Lexington Center Corporation requests proposals for High Street Development Project". WLEX. 2021-09-17. Retrieved 2022-04-22.
6. Lofton, Shelby (21 April 2022). "Business owners ready for increased foot traffic following the official opening of Central Bank Center". WKYT.
7. Lofton, Shelby (21 January 2022). "Lexington Pro Soccer releases renderings of proposed stadium". WSAZ.
8. Hedrick, Chad (21 June 2022). "Lexington Sporting Club plans to build complex off Newtown Pike". www.wymt.com. Retrieved 2022-12-29.
9. "Lexington Sporting Club announces official plans for new stadium". Fox News 56. 2023-10-10. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
10. Drummond, Cameron (2023-04-12). "Lexington Sporting Club looking at new location for soccer stadium that includes incentives". Lexington Herald Leader. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
11. Schick, Austin (2023-10-10). "Lexington Sporting Club selects site, unveils plans for stadium". spectrumnews1.com. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
12. McGary, John (2023-10-12). "Plans unveiled for pro soccer stadium near I-75 for Lexington's men's and women's teams". The Lexington Times. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
13. Makauskas, Caroline (2024-02-21). "'We will be playing in August.' Lexington Sporting Club updates progress on new stadium". Lexington Herald Leader. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
14. Drummond, Cameron (2024-09-09). "'It's an exciting day.' Lexington Sporting Club opens its new soccer-specific stadium". Lexington Herald Leader. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
15. "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.
16. Medina, Ana (2024-09-09). "Lexington SC debuts new stadium in Super League match". WTVQ. Retrieved 2024-09-14.