This weekend, the Lexington Sporting Club showed off their new state-of-the-art, $50-million stadium as the Super League team made their home debut against the Tampa Bay Sun FC. And despite the 3-2 loss, thousands of fans showed up to check out the space and cheer on our professional women's soccer team.

When you first walk in the main entrance, you're greeted with an open plaza, home to a space for activities like cornhole, face painting, sponsor booths, food trucks, and of course the mighty mascot Thunder. The main building features team merch on the first floor, as well as a club space with a bar, food, and hospitality on the second floor.

According to West Sixth co-owner Ben Self, Stadium Ale "embodies the spirit and community" both organizations value. | Photo by LEXtoday

At the other end of the stadium is the West Sixth Gate, named after the team's official beer sponsor, you'll find a beer tent with the new Stadium Ale, specialty cocktails + concessions.

The evolution of the Sporting Club organization has been ongoing since 2021 — the early days of LEXtoday. Let's take a look back at how we got here.

October 2021 | The first announcement of a pro soccer team coming to Lexington.
January 2022 | Renderings were released for a potential downtown stadium at the High Street parking lot — a plan that was eventually quashed.
April 2022 | An announcement of joining the All Girls Academy, as well as two longstanding youth programs merging under the Lexington SC name.
September 2022 | Lexington SC gets the green light to build youth soccer fields off Athens-Boonesboro Road.
February 2023 | Georgetown College named as the host for the inaugural Lexington SC season + the organization gets first round of approval for new stadium.
April 2023 | Two years in the making, the men's USL League One team plays its inaugural match on April 8.
May 2023 | The women's USL Super League team is announced.