We have a new plan for a Lexington SC stadium, as USL League One and USL Super League teams will play out of the facility located on the teams’ youth fields off Athens Boonesboro Road near Interstate 75.
“We are so excited to build our new home right here in the beautiful city of Lexington,” Lexington SC Majority Owner Bill Shively said via press release. “The goal from day one has been to build an incredible stadium in Lexington that our fans and the entire community can be proud of. I believe we are well on our way to accomplishing that feat.”
The stadium is already under construction and expected to open in time for Lexington SC’s first game in the USL Super League in 2024. It will initially have a capacity of 5,000, with the potential to expand to a maximum of 11,000. The seven training fields and the stadium will represent an investment of up to $82 million.
USL Super League President Amanda Vandervort said in a press statement the stadium will serve as an outstanding home for Lexington SC.
This new stadium will showcase the best of what American professional soccer has to offer,” Vandervort said. “With a new Super League team launching in 2024 and the USL League One team entering its second season, this incredible new stadium will be a special place to be when it opens next year.”
The new stadium builds off of a $34-million tourism development project that was approved by the state and has brought seven multipurpose youth sports fields to the same piece of property. The new fields alone are expected to generate more than $50 million in direct spending over the next 10 years.
“Lexington Sporting Club’s investment builds on the economic growth we are seeing all across the commonwealth,” Governor Andy Beshear said via press release. “Constructing this new stadium means that we are taking another step forward in building a better Kentucky–one where our kids don’t ever have to leave home to chase their dreams–or in this case their professional soccer dreams.”
Lexington SC Women’s Sporting Director Michelle Rayner said the stadium will add to the momentum the club has built within the community over the past two years.
“I’ve been around soccer in Lexington and central Kentucky for a long time, so to see our club take this massive step forward is very exciting,” Rayner said. “By building this stadium, we will be able to continue to attract new fans and families to our club and our game.”