If you attended a soccer game at Slugger Field but haven’t returned to see Lynn Family Stadium; drove past the new facility and wondered what it’s like to experience a game there; or simply want to support local sports and civic pride, well…
These games are for you.
Louisville City FC and Racing Louisville FC — the city’s professional soccer clubs — are pushing to “Fill the Fam” at a pair of upcoming home matches on Aug. 13 as LouCity hosts the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Aug. 27 when Racing welcomes in the Chicago Red Stars.
Both 7:30 p.m. contests will feature a number of special activations, including…
• A postgame fireworks show.
• T-shirt giveaways to the first 1,000 fans.
• Poster giveaway to the first 2,500 fans.
• Fan clapper giveaway to the first 2,500 in attendance.
• An enhanced Fan Zone opening at 6 p.m. with $2 beers, food trucks, lawn games, soccer on the mini-pitch and inflatables.
Additionally, the LouCity game will double as Lynn Family Stadium’s first “blackout,” coinciding with the launch of this year’s third kit to be unveiled soon.
Season ticket members will receive an email on how to redeem a complimentary $5 toward their first concession purchase at participating food and beverage for Fill the Fam games. Those without tickets yet can visit LouCity.com/FilltheFam or RacingLouFC.com/FilltheFam to buy as part of a $5.02 flash sale running for 24 hours starting at 10 a.m. Thursday.
“We want to create two statement games this season from a crowd perspective — games where we felt the whole city and state could come to together and show what our teams mean to the area,” said club president James O’Connor.
“Tampa Bay has become one of our biggest rivals over the last few years on the LouCity side. We’ll need the fans to show up and push our guys over the line. Meanwhile, the Red Stars have always been a tough opponent, and this is an NWSL matchup with regional appeal.
“We invite everyone who can to come support us in making some history.”
LouCity — a traditional USL Championship power in American soccer’s second division — won back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018. But the Tampa Bay Rowdies have served as a stumbling block in recent seasons, defeating the boys in purple in consecutive Eastern Conference Final meetings.
City will look to exact some revenge as the club pushes for its highest-ever Lynn Family Stadium crowd, intending to eclipse the 12,115 mark achieved in 2021.
“Our players feed off of the energy that our fans continue to bring week in and week out,” said LouCity coach Danny Cruz. “This is a wonderful opportunity to pack Lynn Family Stadium like we’ve never seen before. We are looking forward to seeing everyone on August 13 as we play a difficult opponent and push toward the playoffs. The atmosphere that the community continues to create gives us all the motivation to go our and perform at a high level.”
Racing — a member of the NWSL, the world’s best professional women’s soccer league — is a second-year club seeking a higher local profile. The club’s highest-attended game came at the end of its inaugural 2021 season with 8,488 on hand.
Multiple U.S. Women’s National Team regulars suit up for the club, including defender Emily Fox and midfielder Jaelin Howell. Forward Jess McDonald was a member of the USWNT’s 2019 World Cup-winning roster. Nadia Nadim also boasts one of soccer’s most intriguing backstories as an Afghan refugee who is a humanitarian, star player and recent medical school graduate.
“We want to see you guys fill up Lynn Family Stadium on August 27th,” McDonald said. “I hope to see you all there!”
Gates will open for both Fill the Fam games at 6:30 p.m. Arrive early to enjoy the Fan Zone on the open/waterfront end of the venue.
Lynn Family Stadium is an award-winning facility in the Butchertown neighborhood. Opened in 2020, it boasts seating in close proximity to the field, ideal sight lines, a view of downtown and a number of amenities, including a state-of-the-art video board and free WiFi.
