USL's Louisville City FC to welcome fans for July 12 home opener

As part of its return-to-play format amid the coronavirus pandemic, the second-tier USL Championship split teams into eight different groups to limit travel and allow clubs to host games at home venues.

Louisville City FC won't wait long to open the doors of its brand new Lynn Family Stadium to a percentage of supporters.

As ESPN's Jeff Carlisle wrote on Tuesday, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has approved that venue to operate at 50 percent of the 15,304-seat capacity when Louisville City face the Pittsburgh Riverhounds to kick off the campaign on July 12.

Carlisle added the stadium likely won't reach the 50-percent capacity threshold to ensure fans follow social-distancing guidelines. Attendees will have temperatures taken at the gates and must wear face coverings, such as masks, while inside the stadium.

Earlier this month, NASCAR allowed small percentages of fans to occupy seats for races held in Florida and Alabama. The NFL is planning to permit spectators to attend regular-season games in September if the season starts on time during the pandemic.

The National Women's Soccer League and Major League Soccer summer tournaments will be played behind closed doors and without supporters.