The USL Championship team, Louisville City FC, will open its new headquarters, the Lynn Family Stadium, on July 12 with a game against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and fans in the stands, sources told ESPN.
The second-tier USL Championship has been closed since March 12 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Along with other games scheduled for that weekend, the USL will be the first sports league in the United States to play games in its local markets.
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The game will also be played in front of fans after Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear gave his approval for the venue to operate at up to 50 percent of its 15,304-seat capacity, though actual attendance will likely be less than that.
Social distancing and other security protocols will be in force for attendees.
A formal announcement is expected later Tuesday, while the full schedule for the USL Championship will be announced in the coming days.
Construction was completed at the $ 65 million facility before the start of the 2020 USL Championship season, but its first game, scheduled for Saturday April 11 against Birmingham Legion FC, was postponed due to the pandemic.
The stadium will use a health and safety protocol called VenueShield that will be implemented by ASM Global operators.
In addition to social distancing, fans will have to pass a temperature check before entering the venue and wearing a face covering while inside the stadium.
The program also requires that contact points be constantly disinfected, only clear bags will be allowed, and the site will operate without cash.
The concessions will be made in separately wrapped containers and the plexiglass barriers will separate the clients’ ATMs.
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