These athletic teams and sporting venues offer inexpensive, family-friendly entertainment around the Triangle.
By Addie Ladner and Molly Asbill
This summer, there are plenty of pro and semi pro spectacular sports to fill your balmy evenings, from the storied Durham Bulls team to our championship-winning women’s soccer team, the Carolina Courage. More than that though, the Triangle offers some more niche competitive viewing options to mix it up (see: roller derby!). But each is a family-friendly, affordable way to enjoy a summer evening in the Triangle, forget about the college-season rivalries and maybe become a fan of a brand-new team!
Soccer: Carolina Courage
A top team to watch this summer is the North Carolina Courage; a Division I professional women’s soccer team that plays in the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) in Cary, NC, where home games are played at WakeMed soccer park, about a 20 minute drive from downtown Raleigh. With 2 NWSL championships under their belt, and 3 consecutive shield awards for having the best regular season record, this team is building momentum. Tailgating is permitted, encouraging fans to gather before the games to enjoy each other’s company and get amped up for the match about 2 hours before. At the season opener in March, fans broke the stadium’s attendance record, showing the growing excitement for Courage games as summer rolls around. At Fan Fest, before each game, enjoy free Courage merch, local food trucks, kids activities and entertainment. Afterwards, the players ALWAYS come around and sign photos/jerseys if you stay after the wrap — a real highlight for little fans!
They have about 2 home games a month| Wakemed Soccer Park | nccourage.com
Soccer: NCFC
The North Carolina Football Club; previously known as the Carolina Railhawks, is a men’s United Soccer League team in Cary, was founded in 2006.The name of the team changed to NCFC, however the league they played in stayed the same.They play at WakeMed soccer park in Cary, along with the North Carolina Courage women’s team. NCFC also has theme nights for some of their games this summer, such as Superman night, teenage mutant ninja turtles night, Star Wars, as well as a BBQ, Bourbon, and beer night- these are apart of their matchday Moment series aiming to bring more activity to their game days.This team continues their season through summer and early fall, with each home game bringing new activities and promotions surrounding them, allowing for an experience outside of the soccer match!
They have about 2-3 home games each month | WakeMed Soccer park | northcarolinafc.com/
Baseball: Durham Bulls
One of North Carolina’s minor-league baseball teams; the Durham Bulls, are a part of the international league, and have been playing home games at their athletic park in Durham, North Carolina since 1995. Close to Raleigh with about a 30 minute drive from downtown, a Durham Bulls game is the beacon of a fun summer night. With more than ten home games to choose from, as well as promotion nights at the stadium such as Dollar hotdog Thursdays, or Saturday night fireworks, a good time is almost guaranteed! Each home game has a theme attached, adding another dimension to the family-friendly fun that a Durham bulls game brings; whether it be “dino night”, or “bark in the park”; when your furry friend tags along to the game. Visit the bustling Durham Bulls Athletic Park and join the Durham Bulls for an action-packed night this Summer.
5/26-9/14, Various Times | 409 Blackwell Street | milb.com/durham
Baseball: Carolina Mudcats
The Carolina Mudcats have been providing affordable and enjoyable minor league baseball games in Zebulon for more than 30 years. This single A team has had years of home games at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, with over 20 home games this summer filled with themed nights like Firework Fridays or Winning Wednesdays. Following the 2025 season, this Milwaukee Brewers associated team will relocate to Wilson, North Carolina in 2026. They will rebrand as the Wilson Warbirds, in an attempt to fortify downtown Wilson and bring the community together through baseball. They can continue to be seen in Zebulon as the Mudcats until the end of the season, with promoted events such as Friday fireworks, Tacos and Tallboys, and Winning Wednesdays, when a Wednesday game is won and all fans in attendance can bring their ticket for that game back to Five County Stadium and redeem it for any game the rest of the 2025 season. Come support the last season of the Mudcats before they become the Warbirds!
May- August, Various dates and times | 1501 NC-39, Zebulon |.milb.com/carolina-mudcats
Baseball: Clayton Clovers
For a more amateur baseball experience, head over to a Clayton Clovers game- a wood bat collegiate summer league team for residents of the community to engage in an action-packed summertime baseball community. Most players play baseball at local colleges, also including non-local players who can be hosted by volunteer families in the area. The point of this league is to provide a communal summer ball league to encourage an elite baseball atmosphere in this area. With a plethora of home and away games to choose from, the Clayton Clovers plan to have a busy summer growing their game, and fans can come out and support the Clovers 10 games they will play in August. Details about the schedule, and purchasing tickets can be found here. With fundraisers and promotional nights backing each game, supporting this team is for a good cause, and is a great way to see up and coming college players.
July, Various dates and times |1774 Glen Laurel Rd. Clayton, NC | https://www.claytonclovers.com/
Baseball! Carolina Sandlot Collective
For a quintessential summer experience, this fun pick up baseball team is calling anyone and everyone interested in baseball (over the age of 21!) Join the Carolina Sandlot Collective in their Saturday sandlot hangouts, where everyone is invited to join in a completely non-professional baseball league. From full fledged pros, to tee-ball beginners, this league is inclusive, open, and non-competitive. The collective strives for an environment that anyone feels welcome in, no matter their age, sex, skill level, background, or gender, the sandlot is the place for you. This league has decided the best way to play is to show up at one of the hangouts posted on their website- or to send them an email at carolinasandlotcollective@gmail.com. Don’t want to play? Come out to spectate and support! Anyone is welcome, there are usually plenty of dogs, kids, spouses and everyday baseball lovers who watch, enjoy each other’s company, and indulge in the fun.
Saturdays, Various dates and times| Various locations | carolinasandlotcollective.com
Car Racing: Wake County Speedway
A quarter mile asphalt speed track found right in Raleigh, North Carolina, is about 15 minutes south of Downtown Raleigh. Built in 1961, this car racing venue originated as a clay-track, until it was paved some 24 years later, and added concrete guardrails, coining the name “America’s favorite bullring” for the track. Finally in 2020 the speedway joined the ranks of NASCAR, and they run their regular season from April through September. This summer schedule brings plenty of races at the track, with themed promotional nights like hurricane relief night, throwback night, and even kids race car rides.
Friday Nights at various times | 2109 Simpkins Rd. Raleigh | wcspeedway.com
Roller Skating: Carolina Roller Derby
The Carolina roller derby is a women’s flat-track roller league in Raleigh, founded in 2004 and running as a 501 nonprofit. The next home derby is August 2nd, with a couple away throughout the summer as well. To get involved with the Carolina roller derby, they are always looking for skaters, volunteers, and sponsors, and have an accessible interest form on their website for interested derby-goers!
August 2nd | 1016 Investment Blvd., XL Sports World, Apex | carolinarollerderby.com
Ultimate Frisbee: Carolina Flyers Frisbee Golf
This professional ultimate frisbee team (not to be confused with disc golf) is Durham based and competes in the Ultimate Frisbee Association. The Carolina Flyers play throughout the summer, while also offering a club team, youth league, and camps. They play their home games at Durham County Stadium, and were formerly known as the Raleigh flyers, until a name and location change to Durham to become the Carolina Flyers. Aiming to increase visibility of the sport, and create fun, family friendly events with the sport on highest display. There are a couple games left this summer, the next on July 12th at home for those looking for a unique sports watching experience.
Various dates and times |750 Stadium drive, Durham | watchufa.com/flyers
This article was originally published on waltermagazine.com on July 17, 2025.
