In a unanimous decision that scores big for Wake County and the Town of Zebulon, a new partnership steps up to the plate at Five County Stadium. The Wake County Board of Commissioners and the Zebulon Board of Commissioners have approved Capitol Broadcasting Company (CBC) as the new operator of the stadium, currently home to the Carolina Mudcats. This change will take effect starting January 1, 2026, as disclosed in a report from the official Wake County website.
A call for proposals earlier this year yielded three potential visions for the stadium's future. CBC, which has previously made strides in developing destinations like Rocky Mount Mills and the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, stood out in this competitive process. "CBC has the knowledge and experience we need to turn Five County Stadium into a vibrant destination for residents and visitors, and we can’t wait for them to get started," Chair Susan Evans of the Wake County Board of Commissioners told the Wake County website.
The partnership with CBC comes with a 10-year contract which details CBC's commitment to paying $710,000 to lease the facility and assumptions of annual operating expenses, stated the Wake County report. The contract also anticipates the stadium to host Coastal Plain League baseball games, as well as Wake Technical Community College's baseball, softball, and soccer games. Moreover, CBC is incentivized with a credit of up to $100,000 annually for additional ticketed events.
A significant financial saving for both the county and town has been noted. Maintenance and improvements for the stadium will see investments of approximately $9 million over the next two years, which includes field, scoreboard, and lighting upgrades to support diverse events. The Town and County will also create a fund for ongoing capital maintenance, to which CBC's rent payments will contribute, a collaborative effort that is expected to save Wake County over $75,000 and Zebulon about $35,000 per year in costs. "The search for a new stadium operator was a highly competitive process, and I am proud that together with the county, we have secured the best possible partner for our community," said Town of Zebulon Mayor Glenn York, as quoted on the Wake County website.
With the Carolina Mudcats' move to a new stadium in Wilson after the 2025 season, CBC is afforded the opportunity to reimagine the stadium and its surrounding 52-acre property. As part of Zebulon’s efforts for strategic growth, this move prioritizes community engagement and sustainable development that promises to enrich the town's already hospitable atmosphere.
