Lexington SC Stadium
 | |
| Address | 200 Shives Drive |
|---|---|
| Location | Lexington, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 37°57′43″N 84°23′31″W / 37.962°N 84.392°W |
| 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 (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
[edit]Planning and previous iterations
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]- ^ "Lexington Sporting Club to join USL Championship for 2025 season". USL Championship. August 13, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
- ^ "Stadium Info". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
- ^ "'We will be playing in August.' Lexington Sporting Club updates progress on new stadium".
- ^ Yang, Steph; Rueter, Jeff. "What we know about the USL Super League so far". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
- ^ "Lexington Center Corporation requests proposals for High Street Development Project". WLEX. September 17, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- ^ Lofton, Shelby (April 21, 2022). "Business owners ready for increased foot traffic following the official opening of Central Bank Center". WKYT.
- ^ Lofton, Shelby (January 21, 2022). "Lexington Pro Soccer releases renderings of proposed stadium". WSAZ.
- ^ Hedrick, Chad (June 21, 2022). "Lexington Sporting Club plans to build complex off Newtown Pike". www.wymt.com. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
- ^ "Lexington Sporting Club announces official plans for new stadium". Fox News 56. October 10, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Schick, Austin (October 10, 2023). "Lexington Sporting Club selects site, unveils plans for stadium". spectrumnews1.com. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Medina, Ana (September 9, 2024). "Lexington SC debuts new stadium in Super League match". WTVQ. Retrieved September 14, 2024.