In our inaugural season, Lexington Sporting Club supporter groups will set the tone and create the unique match day experience for generations of fans to come. We encourage a lively, loud, and energetic matchday atmosphere, while also maintaining a respectful, fair, kind, and mindful approach to the different values and cultures of our fans and those in attendance. On match day, and at all other Lexington Sporting Club events, the safety and welfare of others is and will remain the number one priority.
Supporter groups within the United Soccer League and across other leagues throughout the nation are one of the most critical components to a club’s identity. Essentially, supporter groups are the backbone of the fan experience on match day. Supporter groups are often subject to special privileges that allow for the enhancement of fan experience and a heightened, intensified atmosphere for the club, its players, and its fans during a match.
These privileges include, but are not limited to:
- The use of banners, flags, tifos, drums, noisemakers, and other instruments, and league approved, controlled smoke devices
- Inside access and information, exclusive events, early access to the stadium on match day, etc.
Failure to comply with the rules and regulations set forth by the United Soccer League One and Lexington Sporting Club will result in disciplinary action and/or sanctions, including the possibility of immediate dismissal and removal or suspension of any and all supporter group operations and/or privileges.
Adopted from the Independent Supporters Council of North America, supporter groups often form with these values and purposes in mind:
SUPPORT
Seek to fiercely support the club, and especially the clubs’ players, with the upmost loyalty throughout a season, despite the number of wins and losses. Supporter group missions and values align with the club’s overall mission, along with the group’s overall character or status.
EDUCATE
Seek to educate others on supporter culture, along with the game of soccer and different rules and regulations of the game. The goal is to educate and promote overall best practices within growing supporter culture, the general fanbase, and the game of soccer.
ADVOCATE
Seek to advocate for players, in addition to advocating for other members of supporter groups, including those outside of their own, to for a collective voice in supporter culture around the world. This advocacy allows for a push in consistency and fairness for all in policy, treatment, and everyday procedure within the United Soccer League.
COLLABORATE
Supporter groups and their members, individually and collectively, come together as one to collaborate with one another, with the team, with the front office, and with the community, with the intention to build and strengthen the relationship between club and community.
GETTING INVOLVED WITH LEXINGTON SPORTING CLUB
As we work to bring world-class soccer to Central Kentucky, there are several different ways to show your support and rep the crest of Lexington Sporting Club. For general inquries about getting involved with our club, or for more information about supporter group involvement surrounding our club, please contact Lauren Schuster, our Fan and Community Engagement Manager, via email at lschuster@lexsporting.com.
On behalf of the players, the technical staff, the front office staff, and all of us here at Lexington Sporting Club, we thank you for your support and loyalty to our club, as well as your cooperation and assistance in maintaining a safe and enjoyable matchday environment.
See you on the pitch.
GUIDELINES & INFORMATION
For a complete overview of our Match Day, please visit our Know Before You Go page to learn more. Supporter Groups, both home and visiting, can also find helpful information for general purposes, such as:
- Match Day Timeline
- A Complete List of Permitted and Prohibited Items
- The Fan Code of Conduct
- General Match Day Guidelines
HOME Supporter Groups
Through coordination with the United Soccer League, the following requirements have been developed and are required to obtain recogintion as an Offical Supporters’ Group of Lexington Sporting Club:
- Signed documentation of acknowledgement of the Fan Code of Conduct, USL Smoke Device Policy, and the Club Confidentiality Agreement to early access and/or inside information
- Continued compliance and enforcement with the Fan Code of Conduct
- 50% of the total number of members in a supporters’ group must be season ticket holders
- Have an established charter and formal process for electing (at minimum) three leadership positions within the group
- Have an appointed member or members to communicate, work with, and attend leadership meetings with the Club’s Supporter Liaison
In correspondence with the United Soccer League, Lexington Sporting Club will uphold the following guidelines for any and all supporter group exemptions. Group Exemptions may be suspended either:
- Prior to the Event: where there is a history of non-compliance by the Supporter Group making the request
- During the Event: either individuals within the Group or the Group as a whole fail to abide by agreements reached in advance
- After the Event: where it was not possible to deal with the matter safely at the time, or where the matter was subsequently brought to
light
Officially recognized supporter groups shall understand that any exemption is made to the group and that they are collectively responsible for the behavior of the group and for ensuring that the agreements reached prior to the event are allowed.
AWAY Supporter Groups
Lexington Sporting Club is happy to host any Away Team’s Supporter Groups who wish to travel to our venue for a match. Our stadium offers a reserved section for Visiting Supporter Groups, Section 201, that allows for the extra pep and excitement that comes along with supporter culture.
If your Supporters’ Group wishes to travel to watch your team compete against us, we do ask that your group continue to follow the guidelines and procedures set forth by the United Soccer League and Lexington Sporting Club. Each of these can be reviewed in depth by visiting our Know Before You Go page.
- The Fan Code of Conduct
- Permitted & Prohibited Items
- General Match Day Guidelines
- Guest Conduct & Disturbances
- Guest Services & Reporting Issues
If you or your team’s Visiting Supporter Groups plan to travel with the intention of bringing drums, flags, banners, etc. or wish to have any other coordinated fan displays, please make sure that all items, designs, and messaging are pre-approved by Lexington Sporting Club. These items must be approved at least 48 hours prior to the match and inspected upon entry to ensure compliance.
For approval purposes, please submit all photos via email to Lauren Schuster, Fan and Community Engagement Manager, at lschuster@lexsporting.com.
For more general information, you can submit inquiries via email to Lauren Schuster, or you can also view our complete guidebook for Visiting Supporter Groups, which includes information on things such as:
- Ticket Information
- Directions & Parking Information
- Travel Information & Recommendations
- Airport Information
- Ground Transportation
- Hotel Information
- Food, Bars & Restaurants
- Entertainment Options
- Emergency Medical Information
On the field, we may be rivals, but off the field, we love to make friends! Please don’t hesitate to join in on pre-match fun with The Railbirds, the Official Supporters’ Group of Lexington Sporting Club.
We look forward to hosting you!