Durham is a city that’s as synonymous with baseball as it is with its historic tobacco roots. From the iconic Durham Bulls, immortalized in the 1988 movie Bull Durham, to the city’s deep ties to the sport, including Durham’s American Tobacco Company playing a role in the creation of the baseball card, you’ll find Bulls references and logos on shirts and hats no matter where you are in town. Baseball has become more than just a pastime here. It’s a way of life.  

Durham is built for the baseball fanatic, and that will be more apparent than ever this May during the ACC Baseball Championship. Whether you are right down the road or it’s your first time in Durham, this guide will show you everything you need to know about how to make the most of your ACC Baseball Championship experience in the Bull City.

By Dr. Kendra Greene

In 2024, women’s sports generated over $1 billion in global revenue for the first time ever. From Caitlin Clark and the WNBA setting records for viewership and attendance last year, to the whole country rallying behind Olympic stars like Ilona Maher and Simone Biles, the momentum for women’s sports has never been stronger.  

But what about the women who work behind the scenes, behind the teams – those in the front offices, college athletics administrations and organizers of youth sports? While the momentum has also never been stronger for women to have a seat at the table, women still need so much more representation, access and inclusion with more professional development and networking opportunities for there to be more equal footing in the business of sports. This moment for women should spill over into every facet of sports. 

My name is Dr. Kendra Greene and I currently serve as the Deputy Athletic Director for Internal Affairs and the Senior Woman Administrator at North Carolina Central University. In my role, I oversee the compliance, academics, financial aid, budget, community engagement and student-athlete development at NCCU, amongst other duties.  

I have had the honor of working in intercollegiate athletics for over 20 years at a variety of different universities. I have worked extremely hard to get to where I am today, but back when I started, that was not always enough. As a woman in sports, I had to be comfortable being one of, if not the only, woman in a room. I had to be comfortable giving my opinion knowing it may not be treated the same as someone else’s. It was hard to know what the path could be for a woman in the sports industry, and it was rare to see women in the roles that I dreamed of being in one day.  

That is why I am so thankful for events like the Emerging Women in Sports Leadership Summit. To walk into a room with hundreds of women in the sports industry is such a powerful experience that is truly hard to put into words. To see the number of young women who, year over year, dedicate themselves to their own professional development is truly inspiring to me and leaves me wanting to make sure they know they are not alone as they go forward in their career.  

At the 2025 event, you will have the opportunity to connect with athletic directors, commissioners, CEOs, and so many more incredible women who have paved their way in our industry. You will hear about how you can elevate your communication, how to project manage, how to navigate your career and so much more. And beyond the impactful takeaways you will have from the amazing speakers, you will also have the chance to build relationships with other women in your shoes, who can be your biggest allies in the future. Because as women in sports, we are stronger together.  

I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with the Durham Sports Commission for years, and the thing that stands out to me is how much they truly care about our community. For a sports commission to partner with an incredible organization like Women Leaders in Sports to put on an event like this is such an asset to our community.  

The best thing you can do starting out in the sports industry is to take advantage of this opportunity and invest in yourself. And that starts on Wednesday, April 9 in Durham, North Carolina. I can’t wait to connect with you all there.  

There’s nothing quite like competing for a national championship. All of the hard work that began in August culminates on December 21 at Durham County Memorial Stadium with the NAIA crowning a football national champion. For the fans who have supported all year long, we want to ensure that you too have the ultimate championship experience in the Bull City.  

Whether it’s your first trip to Durham or you’re a returning fan, read our guide below on how to make the most of your NAIA championship experience in Durham.  

From July 26-August 11 this year, all eyes will be on Paris as athletes from across the globe will compete in their respective sports for the title of best in the world and a gold medal around their neck. While the 2024 games will be taking place over 4,000 miles away, Durham and its two collegiate institutions have and continue to play an integral role in the Olympics. From breaking racial barriers to gold medals, the Olympics truly embody why Durham is the City of Champions.  

North Carolina Central University at the Olympics

North Carolina Central University’s history at the Olympics began in 1956 with Lee Calhoun, who won the gold medal in the 110-Meter Hurdles for Team USA (not to mention, the bronze-medalist that year, Joel Shankle, was from Duke). Calhoun helped put Durham on the map as an Olympic hub and received a key to the city upon his return from those 1956 Olympics in Melbourne. He would go on to win gold at the 1960 Olympics, becoming the first male to win consecutive gold medals in the event. That was just the beginning of the NCCU Olympic success. 

NCCU would go on to have athletes compete in every year of the Olympics from 1956-1976 and earned ten medals during this stretch, all in track and field events. What did all of these athletes have in common? They were coached by famed NCCU Track & Field coach Leroy T. Walker.  

Former NCCU Track & Field Coach and US Olympic President Leroy T. Walker

Walker not only headed the NCCU team, but in 1976, was named the head coach of Team USA’s track & field team, which won 22 medals, including six gold during those Olympics. He would later be named the first Black president of the United States Olympic Committee, blazing a trail for the generations that followed him. Walker also played a key role on the committee to bring the 1996 Olympic Games to Atlanta. During the Olympic Torch Relay prior to those games, he coordinated for the torch to come through NCCU and Duke’s campuses in Durham. He was inducted into the USA Olympic Hall of Fame and the USA Track & Field Hall of Fame.  

On the basketball court, famed former NCCU Men’s Basketball Coach John McClendon became the first Black assistant coach on a Team USA Olympic basketball team in 1968, where he helped lead the team to a gold medal in Mexico City. Most recently, Amba Kongolo, one of NCCU’s best women’s basketball players in history, competed in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.  

Duke University at the Olympics

Like NCCU, athletes and coaches from Duke University have a long history of making an impact at the Games.  Since 1956, Duke athletes have won a total of 28 medals, including 13 golds. Former Duke Men’s Basketball Coach Mike Krzyzkewski won three gold medals as the head coach for Team USA and one gold medal as an assistant coach, making him the most successful coach in Team USA basketball history. On the women’s side, former Duke women’s basketball coach Gail Goestenkors won a gold medal as an assistant for Team USA women’s basketball. Current Duke women’s basketball coach Kara Lawson won a gold medal as the head coach in 2020 for the Team USA women’s 3X3 team. 

Photo courtesy of Duke Athletics

In the 2024 Paris Olympics, Duke will have 19 current or former student-athletes competing, the most it has ever had in one Olympics. In addition, Coach Lawson will serve as an assistant coach for Team USA’s women’s basketball team, and Duke Assistant Wrestling Coach Ethan Ramos will compete for Puerto Rico.  

These 19 athletes represent 12 different countries competing across nine different sports, including men’s and women’s basketball, women’s soccer, fencing, athletics, golf, triathlon, decathlon and field hockey.  

Tune into the Olympics from July 26-August 11, and follow @durhamncsports on social for updates as these athletes compete. 

America’s past time. Forever part of Durham’s culture and identify. Baseball has long been a part of our identity. In 1902, the Durham Tobacconists first took the field. From the 1920s to 1963, Durham had three Negro League teams compete, including most notably the Durham Black Sox. In 1988, the Academy Award nominated Kevin Costner film Bull Durham helped put the Durham Bulls in the national spotlight. And Durham has never looked back. Today, the Durham Bulls Athletic Park is one of Durham’s biggest visitor attractions and local favorites. You can’t just use the slogan “World Famous for Fun” like the Bulls do without walking the walk, right? Besides, you know, winning every championship there is to win.  

The Greatest Show in Sports 

On April 12-14, 2024, the Savannah Bananas will return to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park for the second time to take on the Party Animals. The three game series is a part of their nationwide Banana Ball World Tour, playing in Minor League and Major League Stadiums across the country.  

Bananas games, referred to as Banana Ball, are designed to provide fans with a fast paced, high-octane and entertainment focused experience. From choreographed dance routines to a fan catching a foul ball counting as an out, Banana Ball is designed for baseball and non-baseball fans alike. The Durham Sports Commission is proud to sponsor this electrifying weekend of baseball. 

Learn more about the Savannah Bananas and Banana Ball here. 

Professional Baseball in Durham 

Durham Bulls Athletic Park (DBAP), named by USA Today as a top 10 minor league ballpark in the country, is home to the Durham Bulls Triple-A team.  

The Bulls are one of the consistently top teams throughout the minor leagues. They have won the Triple-A National Championship four times since 2009 and have won the International League title six times since 2009. Bulls games are also sure to be packed with future MLB stars. Check out this list of former Bulls in the MLB! DBAP also hosted the 2014 Triple-A All Star Game and Home Run Derby, bringing in a grand total of over 25,000 people to the ballpark for the festivities.  

Interested in coming to a Bulls game? Check out their game and promotion schedule here. And make sure to check out this Discover Durham blog on how to make the most of your day at the ballpark. 

ACC Baseball Championship 

Durham has played host to the ACC Baseball Championship 13 times, which is more than any other location. Most recently, the Championship was held at the DBAP in 2023 and will return to Durham in 2025, 2027 and 2029. The Durham Sports Commission is proud to have worked with the Bulls over the years on bids to bring more baseball to Durham and look forward to continuing to do so in the future.  

Durham also set the record for the highest attended ACC game with a single-game attendance of 11,329 back in 2013. Durham’s central location to the Atlantic Coast Conference schools allows for fans to pack the DBAP for exhilarating championship baseball.  

Downtown Durham 

No matter whether its the Bulls, the Bananas or ACC Baseball, downtown Durham is always buzzing on game day. Whether you’re coming into Durham from out of town or a Durham resident coming into Downtown for one of the games, we have you covered with everything you need to know for the weekend.  

The Durham Bulls Athletic Park is conveniently located in the American Tobacco District of Downtown Durham. And while the concession options at DBAP aren’t just your ordinary stadium options, there is plenty to explore around the ballpark.  

The American Tobacco District is full of history, world-class entertainment and a rapidly growing dining-scene. Make sure to check out local favorites like Parker & Otis for gourmet eats and local gifts, Boricua Soul for a delicious fusion of Caribbean and Southern flavors or Press Coffee, Crepes and Cocktails for a pregame drink. Make sure to stop by the Tobacco Road Sports Cafe, a sports bar with an expansive menu and an outdoor patio that overlooks the ballpark.  

DBAP is also only about a half mile from the Durham City Center. If you’re going to the games Friday or Saturday, make sure to stop by the Visitor Info Center to help give you recommendations for how to spend your time in Durham.  

From award-winning breweries and restaurants to cocktail bars, coffee shops and museums, there is something for everyone and endless places to try in Durham’s City Center all weekend. Those who are more entertainment fans than baseball fans, for example, might enjoy seeing the sites of Bull Durham, the cult classic, best sports movie of all time that launched the careers of Kevin Costner, Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon. Follow this tour from Visit North Carolina to see the Historic Durham Athletic Park, pool halls and more across downtown. 

Check out Discover Durham’s Ultimate Downtown Durham Guide for more information. 

For help navigating parking on game day, check out this Durham Parking Guide.  

Coming in from out of town? Stay at one of our outstanding hotels and inns.  

A Sports Fan’s Guide to Durham

Ready to get out and explore Durham? We’ve missed the crack of a bat, cheering on hometown teams, and taking in outdoor activities with friends, too. Here are some bucket list must-do’s if you’re a sports fan in Durham. Make sure to check with each destination for COVID-19 operating hours and protocols.

Get the full Bull Durham experience

You can find backdrops and familiar spots from the cult-favorite Bull Durham movie all around Durham. Take yourself out to a Durham Bulls’ ballgame, and then follow this guide to see all the Bull Durham sites put together by our friends at Visit North Carolina.

 

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Catch footy at local favorites

International soccer fan? There are two spots in Durham for you to catch the action. Head downtown to Bull McCabes or head over to the Rockwood neighborhood and check out  The Boot Room. Bull McCabes is a traditional Irish pub with 20 beers on tap and TVs galore. Soccer and sports fans will find something to love about this downtown staple, and families and friends will love the large, expansive patio seating perfect for warmer weather and social distancing. The Boot Room, a sandwich shop, soccer pub, and event space connected to Beer Study, a bottle shop, and barcade, both feature lunch, dinner, and brunch on the weekends. You’ll know you’re in the right place if soccer is playing on multiple indoor and outdoor TVs.

Play a round and find a 19th hole

The greens are finally drying out, and Durham is ready to welcome you to one of its six golf courses! Head over to Duke’s campus for a round at the Duke University Golf Course, followed by drinks at the Bull Durham Bar in the Washington Duke Inn. The Duke University Golf Course is a par 72 public Trent Jones course on the beautiful campus of Duke University and in the shadows of the tranquil retreat that is the Washington Duke Inn. Ready for another round? Hillandale Golf Course, a public par 71 course, hosts an average of 45,000 rounds a year! Wrap up the day with a dozen wings at the new Heavenly Buffaloes location near Erwin Road, or grab a custom popsicle from the famous Locopops!

Let us show you the ropes to climbing

Did you know Durham is home to the largest indoor bouldering space in a five-state radius? Triangle Rock Club offers 90-minute reservations to climb, plus private instruction, group visits, and even a Durham Community League! After you’ve climbed to the rafters, grab a delicious bite from Only Burger or coffee and snack from Bull and the Bean. If pizza is more of your thing, you can build your own pie at Pops Backdoor Restaurant. You’re sure to work up an appetite.

Break out of your routine with an Xtreme adventure

Feeling Xtreme? Make a reservation for paintball, zipline, a ropes course, and more at the most XTREME spot in Durham! Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekends, Xtreme Park Adventures has something for every adventure lover.

Get outdoors!

Trails and more trails! Lace-up your shoes and hit the American Tobacco Trail, the Al Buehler Trail, or one of the over 30 miles of trails and greenway maintained by Durham Parks and Recreation. The Durham Bike & Hike Map is available electronically through the Transportation Department.

Even if you live far outside of the boundaries of Durham/Orange County, you’d better figure out which blue you bleed, and quick.

The rivalry between the Duke University Blue Devils and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Tar Heels has permeated all types of playing fields, courts, pitches, and stadiums for decades. It’s why students huddle together for warmth in makeshift tents outside Cameron Indoor Stadium, taking shifts to take showers. It’s only during the sweet winter months, however, that we get to see it all play out on the unforgiving hardwood.

Durham is a great place for sports – one of its names is City of Champions.