Lexington SC

The Lexington SC crest was designed by Christopher Payne, an award-winning designer whose work with soccer clubs in the United Kingdom and the United States includes Eastleigh Football Club, Flower City Union, Monterey Bay FC, and Appalachian FC.[3] Payne coordinated with Lexington-based media and PR company Bullhorn Creative which oversaw project management, creative services, and messaging beyond the brand design.[4][5]

Over the course of several months Lexington SC leadership held fourteen listening sessions with community members, gathering more than 300 responses to brand surveys and more than 1,500 responses to stadium surveys to identify key themes to reflect in the club's brand identity. Themes which emerged included the cultural landscape of the Bluegrass region and its lush green rolling hills and leafy woodlands, its equine and bourbon industries, and a communal sense of place.[6][7]

Water tower alongside the interstate where I-75 N and I-64 W merge.

Surrounded by over 400 horse farms, Lexington is often referred to as the "Horse Capital of the World". It was also the first city outside of Europe to ever host the World Equestrian Games.[8] To reflect this heritage, as well as club ownership's involvement in the thoroughbred industry and President Vince Gabbert's professional connection to Keeneland Race Course,[9] the crest features a vibrant green stylized horse figure set against a dark green background.

Payne developed a typeface called Lex Type specific for Lexington SC branding. He states, "Like a horse, Lex Type is tall, powerful, and athletic. However, if you look closely, you’ll notice the typeface has subtle curves at the top and the bottom of the letters. This detail is inspired by the graceful curves of a bourbon barrel, tying the typography to this important element of local history and tradition."[4]

Render of proposed soccer stadium surrounded by retail, lodging, and entertainment opportunities in downtown Lexington, KY.

Lexington SC will play its inaugural season at the University of Kentucky's Bell Soccer Complex. The team's ownership group has proposed a soccer-specific stadium in downtown Lexington, with a capacity of approximately 6,000+ seats, as their permanent home, with 2024 as the goal for opening.[10]

Renderings for the stadium were released on January 21, 2022 as part of the Lexington Center Corporation's High Street Development Project.[11] The stadium's design is being directed by architecture firm Gensler.[12] The firm is perhaps best known for designing Shanghai Tower, currently the world's third-tallest building by height.[13] The firm is also responsible for designing several other sporting-specific stadiums and entertainment facilities including Milwaukee Bucks Entertainment Blocks (Milwaukee Bucks), the Banc of California Stadium (Los Angeles Football Club), and BMO Field, Canada's first soccer-specific stadium (Toronto Football Club).[14]

Depiction of proposed Lexington SC stadium and its proximity to Rupp Arena.

The yet-unnamed Lexington SC stadium is expected to be an economic boon for the city of Lexington and the surrounding region through its expansion of entertainment and recreation opportunities.[14] The proposed location for the facility is in the heart of downtown, directly across the street from Central Bank Center[15] and Rupp Arena,[16] a multi-purpose venue which hosts the UK Wildcats men's basketball team, concerts, conventions, and shows.

Projected view from inside the stadium with Lexington Financial Center and Kincaid Towers visible in the background skyline.