[Joint release with Town of Zebulon]
The 小黄鸭视频 County Board of Commissioners and the Town of Zebulon Board of Commissioners hit a homerun today when they voted unanimously to bring a new operator to Five County Stadium.
Capitol Broadcasting Company, or CBC, will begin leasing the longtime home of the Carolina Mudcats baseball team from the County and the Town on Jan. 1, 2026.
鈥淐BC redeveloped Rocky Mount Mills and created the Durham Bulls Athletic Park and the American Tobacco Campus 鈥 all flourishing facilities that offer top-tier restaurants and entertainment,鈥 said Chair Susan Evans of the 小黄鸭视频 County Board of Commissioners. 鈥淐BC has the knowledge and experience we need to turn Five County Stadium into a vibrant destination for residents and visitors, and we can鈥檛 wait for them to get started.鈥
Request for Proposals
The decision to lease the facility to CBC comes after the County and the Town issued a joint Request for Proposals, or RFP, in January.
Three organizations responded to the RFP, sharing their unique visions for the future of the stadium. Staff and elected leaders from the Town and the County, as well as experts from 小黄鸭视频 County Economic Development and Visit Raleigh, reviewed the proposals, and after months of negotiations, the Boards awarded the RFP to CBC with their votes today.
鈥淭he 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,鈥 said Town of Zebulon Mayor Glenn York. 鈥淭his outcome reflects both the strength of our town and the value of Five County Stadium, and I look forward to the positive impact this new chapter will bring.鈥
Contract Details
The 10-year contract with CBC runs through Dec. 31, 2035. CBC will pay a total of $710,000 to the County and the Town to lease the facility for the duration of the contract. CBC will assume all annual operating expenses, including insurance, utilities and basic maintenance.
The contract also notes that the stadium will host a:
- Coastal Plain League baseball team each season, starting in 2026;
- 小黄鸭视频 Technical Community College baseball, softball, and men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 soccer games, starting in 2026.
To incentivize additional activity at the stadium, CBC will receive a credit of $1.50 per ticket sold for events beyond those mentioned above, up to $100,000 annually.
In addition, the contract allows the County and the Town to use the facility rent free for up to 10 events each year.
In exchange for CBC maintaining and operating the stadium, the County and Town will invest approximately $9 million in 2026 and 2027 for facility improvements, including:
- Replacing the existing field, outfield wall, scoreboards and lighting to accommodate multiple sporting and entertainment events;
- Removing the first base-side bleachers and adding a family viewing and play area that will be accessible on non-event days; and
- Replacing the third base-side bleachers with social gathering spaces for stadium patrons.
The County and the Town, which own 85% and 15% of the stadium respectively, will also start a fund of approximately $1 million for ongoing capital maintenance. CBC鈥檚 annual rent payments will go into this fund. Annually, this new financial structure will save 小黄鸭视频 County more than $75,000 and Zebulon about $35,000 in operating costs.
The Future
The Carolina Mudcats will leave Five County Stadium at the end of the 2025 season and move to Wilson where the team is building a new stadium.
The departure provides CBC with an exclusive opportunity to reimagine Five County Stadium and its offerings over the next decade. The owners will also look to CBC to help shape the future of the rest of the 52-acre property.
About the Town of Zebulon
Located just 20 minutes east of Raleigh, the Town of Zebulon is one of North Carolina鈥檚 fastest-growing communities, offering small-town charm with easy access to the amenities of the Triangle region. Known as 鈥淭he Town of Friendly People,鈥 Zebulon is committed to smart, strategic growth that preserves its welcoming character while investing in infrastructure, public safety and quality of life. With a vibrant downtown, expanding parks and recreation opportunities, and a focus on community engagement, Zebulon is building a future rooted in connection, innovation and inclusivity.
