If you’re visiting North Carolina, what you may find odd is the lack of professional sports teams in the state. Despite being the 9th most populous state in the US, we really don’t have a ton of professional sports teams outside of the Charlotte Panthers and Hornets, along with the Carolina Hurricanes. But North Carolina is rich in baseball history and talent, just not at the major league level yet.
Thankfully, we do have what might be the BEST Triple A team in the MiLB, the Durham Bulls. Given that the Durham Bulls are part of the Tampa Bay MLB farm system, a smaller market team with a limited budget, talent development for the Durham Bulls is crucial to the parent team’s success. So I like to think of the Durham Bulls as Triple A and a half level baseball. You’ll often find players that are really close to making the big leagues here and it shows in their play and team record. The Durham Bulls have been International League champions four times in the past seven years!
Durham Bulls, Ballpark and Amenities
Beyond the Durham Bulls baseball club being one of the best in the business, the Durham Bulls ballpark is beautiful! This brick-faced, structure seats 10,000 people and features the Blue Monster out in left field topped with a bull billboard (sign proclaims “Hit Bull, Win Steak. Hit Grass, Win Salad.”) as a tempting target for hitters at home plate. Out in right field, you’ll find Jackie’s Landing, an open bar along with the Wool E World, a playground for children. There’s plenty to do here, beyond baseball!
Most of the seating at the Durham Bull ballpark is reserved, tickets are $10 to $28 for the 2024 season. But you’ll also find an open grassy area (Homerun Hill) which is open on good weather days and general admission. Purchase your ticket online and enter with an e-ticket or purchase a ticket at a service window (just to the left of the main entrance) on game day!
There are also several private-group seating areas (primarily, out in right field) ranging from suites to boxes, party decks, and picnic areas where you can bring a group in with catering. Reach out to the Durham Bulls staff for any details! One other option to watch the game is to grab a seat at Tobacco Road Sports Cafe and their patio which overlooks the Blue Monster in left field. But you’ll need a bit of luck to get a seat there!
Beyond the great baseball, the Durham Bulls run fun games and activities every inning ranging from t-shirt tosses, bean bag games, and more, featuring participants chosen from the ground! And most weekends will include fireworks for you to enjoy after the game ends.
Durham Bulls, Food and Concessions
Now I don’t know about you, but baseball is way better to me with a hot dog and beer! The Durham Bulls ballpark has a lot of concessions in the ballpark serving everything from barbeque to burgers, chicken wings, pizza, and more! There are more concessions on the home team side (first base, right field) versus the opposing team side (3rd base, left field). And note that Thursdays are Dollar Dog nights, get a Sahlen’s hot dog for $1! Get more details on food at the ballpark in this blog post on NC Triangle Dining.
Beer is available at most concessions areas, but also at Jackie Robinson’s landing and some beer carts on the promenade circling the ballpark. There’s also a beer garden in the ballpark itself in the main concessions area!
All in all, a day at the Durham Bulls ballpark is a great way to spend 3 or 4 hours! From the game to the food, activities, sights, and more, it’s a great way to get a feel for what Durham is about. And its location in the heart of downtown (American Tobacco Campus, DPAC) means that there’s plenty to do before and after the game. So don’t miss out on some Durham Bulls baseball over the summer. It’s one of the most enjoyable things to do in the NC Triangle!
48 Hours in Asheville, NC – For Food, Fun, and Foliage