McCormick Field's $38.5 Million Centennial Renovation Set for 2026 Opening

McCormick Field turns 102 this year, and the century-old ballpark on McCormick Place is about to look nothing like it did when it first opened in 1924. The Asheville Tourists announced Monday that Opening Day for the newly renovated stadium is set for April 21, 2026, marking the completion of an 18-month, $38.5 million centennial restoration and capital improvements project undertaken by the team, the City of Asheville, Buncombe County, and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority.

The renovation was, by the city's own accounting, the largest project it has ever undertaken by cost. When financing interest is factored in over the life of the debt, the total bill reaches $55.6 million. The Buncombe County TDA committed the largest single share at $22.95 million. The City of Asheville put in $18.5 million, Buncombe County contributed $5 million, and the Asheville Tourists themselves will pay just under $10.4 million, including $1 million specifically for a new video board.

The stakes were clear from the start. McCormick Field was on the cusp of losing the Tourists entirely if the dated facility was not brought up to Minor League Baseball's Professional Development League standards. The renovation removes that threat while also converting the stadium into a year-round venue capable of hosting concerts, festivals, and community events beyond the baseball calendar.

Mayor Esther Manheimer framed the project in terms of what it means for the region beyond any single Tourists game. "This new chapter in McCormick Field's history is significant for the future of baseball in Asheville and Western North Carolina," she said. "This state-of-the-art facility will not only continue to be the home of the Asheville Tourists, but it will also host community-oriented events such as concerts, festivals, and family fun, all year round, providing a gathering place for friends and family."

The groundbreaking drew a notable lineup of officials, including Manheimer, Tourists President Brian DeWine, BCTDA representative Vic Isley, Buncombe County Commissioner Amanda Edwards, and Peter Woodfork, Senior Vice President of Major League Baseball. Representatives from the Houston Astros, the Tourists' High-A affiliate, also attended and were credited with playing a significant role in initiating the project.

Construction ran alongside the 2025 Tourists season, which the team branded its "Ballpark Changeup Season," with some sections of the stadium closed during home games. The renovation also absorbed a disruption from Hurricane Helene before the project got back on track toward the April 2026 finish line.

The economic case for the investment rests partly on current numbers and partly on projections. McCormick Field draws roughly 180,000 visitors annually, with about 28 percent coming from the five-county area surrounding Buncombe County. The City of Asheville projects that figure to more than double, reaching 376,200 by 2029, driven by enhanced marketing, increased non-baseball activations, and comparisons to attendance trends following similar renovation projects at other minor league venues.

Field renderings and full construction details are available through the City of Asheville's project page. The Tourists, the Houston Astros' High-A affiliate, are scheduled to take the renovated field for the first time on April 21.