Toyota Stadium Lexington SC temporary digs

Article posted by Coliseum, March 3^rd, 2023

Image: Lexington Sporting Club

The USL League One team Lexington Sporting Club has announced that the club has finalized a multiyear partnership with the Georgetown College in Georgetown, Kentucky (US) for the Toyota Stadium to serve as the professional club’s temporary home venue beginning with the 2023 season while the club builds its own stadium.

‘Lexington Sporting Club’ stated that the home opener is on April 8^th against the USL League One team Forward Madison FC at 7 pm. The full schedule is linked here.

The Lexington Sporting Club is an American professional soccer team based in Lexington, Kentucky, US. Founded in 2021, the team will play its inaugural season in 2023.

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The 5,000-capacity Toyota Stadium is a stadium in Georgetown, Kentucky (US). It is the home field of Georgetown College’s American football, soccer and lacrosse teams. It also hosts Lexington SC of USL League One and previously hosted the training camp for the National Football League (NFL) team Cincinnati Bengals.

The Georgetown College is a private Christian college in Georgetown, Kentucky (US). Chartered in 1829, Georgetown was the first Baptist College West of the Appalachian Mountains. The college offers 38 undergraduate degrees and a Master of Arts in education.

Put in Bill Shively, Principal Owner of Lexington SC, “It was important for us to find the right home for 2023, and we could not be more pleased with our partnership with the Georgetown College. There are a lot of variables to consider when looking for a home while we pursue our own soccer-specific stadium. We want to provide a fan-friendly atmosphere and need to ensure we supply a professional environment for the team.”

‘Lexington Sporting Club’ further stated that the 5,000-seat stadium is home to Georgetown College’s football, soccer and lacrosse teams and has served as a hub of community activity for years, featuring State and local soccer championship events. Previously, the stadium served as the longtime home of the Cincinnati Bengals’ Summer Training Camp.

Remarked Dr. Rosemary Allen, Georgetown College President, “By partnering with Lexington SC, the Georgetown College is not only able to offer a first-rate athletic experience for our student-athletes but also bring professional sports to Scott County. The economic impact for the local community will be a significant benefit for the region and for youth soccer players since the Lexington Sporting Club and the Georgetown College will partner to offer Summer soccer camps. We look forward to the many opportunities students, athletes, families, and the community will enjoy by having Lexington SC at Georgetown College.”

In preparation for the club’s first season at the Georgetown College, Lexington SC will install multiple facility updates, most notably a new state-of-the-art artificial turf field, which replicates the product installed at the National Football League’s Miami Dolphins training facility. The Matrix Helix turf provides athletes of all ages with a safe surface and relief from the heat, as the field features EcoTherm infill which can reduce the surface temperature of the field by nearly 30 degrees.

The new field at Georgetown College replicates Lexington SC’s new seven-field complex located on Athens Boonesboro Rd. The $20 million facility will serve as the home for the club, including its 1,400 youth players, as well as a destination for future regional and national sporting events. The first three fields of the complex are scheduled to open within 60 days, with the remainder of the facility to be completed by the end of Spring.

The collaboration extends beyond the field of play as the Georgetown College and Lexington SC will integrate the professional club into the college’s Sports Management curriculum by providing the opportunity to invite club executives into the classroom, students to gain experience through internship opportunities and more.

Observed Brian Evans, Georgetown College Vice-President for Athletics, “This partnership sends a signal that the Georgetown College is a destination for athletics and the broader community. Throughout this process, Lexington SC has been easy to work with, ensuring that this project would happen by making their leadership team available. This partnership will allow us to install the same playing surface that is located in the SoFi and AT&T stadiums in the NFL. I want to also thank the Georgetown College Board of Trustees for their support of this collaboration.”

The Lexington SC kicks off its inaugural professional soccer campaign against their peer team One Knoxville SC in Knoxville, Tennessee, on March 18^th, followed by a trip to Cary, North Carolina, to play against their peer team North Carolina FC on April 1^st.

Fans may still join the season ticket waitlist prior to tickets going on sale to the public by following this link.

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