New food, new merchandise and new activities kick off baseball season with the Bulls at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
The Durham Bulls host the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Tuesday night for their 2026 home opener at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. It's expected to be around 80 degrees for first pitch, scheduled for 6:45 p.m. Ticket prices start at $13.
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The game kicks off a week-long homestand of fun.
Opening night at the DBAP will feature Champ the Bat Dog, the younger brother of the late Ripken the Bat Dog.
The Bulls are playing Wednesday through Sunday at home.
Durham Bulls General Manager Chrystal Rowe spoke with WRAL News about the action-packed week ahead.
“We’ll celebrate on Thursday with Bark in the Park and Dollar Hot Dog Night," Rowe said. "Then on Friday, we’ll have our first Copa night. On Saturday, we’ll have Bull Durham Night, and on Sunday, we’ll have Easter Fun. There’s a pregame Easter egg hunt on the field."
A list of promotions running this week include:
6:45 p.m. Thursday: Bark in the Park: Fans can bring their dogs to the game in the outfield and lawn areas. A human ticket is $10.75 and a dog ticket is $5.50. Thursday’s game also features Champ the Bat Dog and $1 hot dogs.
6:45 p.m. Friday: Fireworks after the game and Copa de la Diversión, a season-long event series specifically designed to embrace the culture and values that resonate most with MiLB teams' local Hispanic communities.
6:45 p.m. Saturday: Bull Durham night. The game also features Champ the Bat Dog.
5:05 p.m. Sunday: Easter at the DBAP. There is a pregame on-field Easter egg hunt. Plus, kids can run the bases after the game, weather pending.
Traffic and parking
Due to construction on Jackie Robinson Drive, fans should take the Duke Street exit if they’re traveling north on the Durham Freeway. If fans park at the South Deck, they should take the first right on Yancy Street and then right on Willard Street. For North Deck parking, fans can take the second right on Jackson Street and continue straight.
Durham Bulls baseball: A history of the team, the DBAP and minor league ball in Durham
Related: Durham Bulls manual scoreboard operator: ‘I wouldn’t trade it for anything’
The Bulls have dropped their first three games of the 2026 season, a road series against the Charlotte Knights.
Meanwhile, the IronPigs are coming off a three-game sweep of the Toledo Mud Hens.