Five County Stadium to Receive Multi-Year Revitalization Under Capitol Broadcasting Lease

Capitol Broadcasting Company, parent of WRAL, will take over management of Five County Stadium under a multi-year lease approved by Wake County commissioners and the Town of Zebulon in late 2025, setting in motion a planned revitalization of the eastern Wake County sports venue beginning in 2026. The agreement aims to update playing surfaces and facilities, renovate locker rooms, upgrade lighting, and position the stadium as a year-round site for sports, concerts, and community programs.

Five County Stadium has hosted minor-league baseball and community events for decades and is viewed by local leaders as an economic and activity anchor for Zebulon and neighboring towns. The redevelopment plan includes commitments to bring Coastal Plain League baseball back to the venue, host Wake Tech athletic events in baseball, softball, and soccer, and expand community uses across the stadium footprint. County and town officials framed the lease as a way to preserve a regional asset while increasing event frequency beyond the traditional summer baseball season.

The management change and capital improvements are intended to broaden the stadium’s calendar, attracting concerts, collegiate and amateur athletics, and community programming that can draw visitors from across Wake County and eastern North Carolina. Local restaurants, parks, and small businesses that serve game-day crowds stand to benefit from additional events and longer seasons. For visitors and residents, Zebulon’s dining and retail corridor and nearby green spaces will likely see increased foot traffic on event days.

Operational details and a precise construction timeline were not disclosed in full, but management under Capitol Broadcasting will begin in 2026 with phased investments targeting immediate facility needs. The Coastal Plain League commitment signals a return of wood-bat collegiate summer baseball, while Wake Tech scheduling would bring regular collegiate-level contests to the stadium in multiple sports. Expanded community programming is expected to include non-sporting events designed to use the venue outside of traditional baseball months.

Five County faithful and local business owners should watch the Town of Zebulon and Wake County event calendars for schedules and ticketing as the 2026 season approaches. The lease represents a public-private approach to maintaining a community landmark, and its success will be measured by attendance, year-round activity levels, and the economic ripple effects in eastern Wake County.

What comes next is the rollout of specific event schedules, timelines for the listed upgrades, and how the new management balances Coastal Plain League play, Wake Tech athletics, and community uses to keep Five County Stadium vibrant for decades to come.