Construction fences and debris gave Asheville Tourists fans an idea of what was coming this season as the historic McCormick Field was in the midst of a remodel in 2025.

When “play ball” is yelled for the first time on April 21, fans of the Houston Astros’ High-A affiliate will see the full scope of the work that has been done in downtown Asheville.

The ballpark will look much different, according to Brian DeWine, President of Asheville Tourists. There is a lot to be excited about with the $38.5 million project that took 18 months to complete. This project brings McCormick Field in line with Minor League Baseball's Professional Development League standards, enabling the stadium to host events year-round and enhance the overall experience for baseball fans.

“Fans are excited and I think, to be honest, they also have a lot of questions,” DeWine said. “I think people are going to be shocked when they walk through the door, is the best way to put it. They're gonna be shocked at how much has changed, but that it also has the same charm it's always had. They're gonna be shocked at how nice it is. As far as fans, I think there's a lot of curiosity. People just want to get in and see what it looks like, because they didn't get to see it last year.”

McCormick Field, which opened in 1924, is one of the South’s most historic parks. It is a spot where Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig played an exhibition game and Jackie Robinson played in 1948. DeWine said he understands that he is a steward to this historic space and the plan with this renovation was to honor the history as well as modernizing the experience for fans. 

Four entities - the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, Buncombe County Government, the Asheville Tourists Baseball Club, and the City of Asheville – spearheaded this significant renovation project. The renovation project is the largest single construction project ever undertaken by the City of Asheville in terms of dollar value. 

The primary funding partner, the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, has committed $22,950,000 over 15 years as part of the first project to receive funding through the Product Development Fund’s debt service opportunity.

“This new chapter in McCormick Field's history is significant for the future of baseball in Asheville and Western North Carolina,” said Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer in a 2025 press release. “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. I am proud to stand among many in our city and county who worked to bring this project to fruition, and I can’t wait to attend Opening Day 2026.”

According to the City of Asheville, McCormick Field attracts 180,000 attendees annually, with an estimated average of 28% of attendees coming from the five-county area surrounding Buncombe County. The city expects annual visitation to double to 376,200 or 109% by 2029 due to enhanced marketing efforts, increased venue activation outside baseball events, and trend comparisons following similar renovation projects.

Components of the project include an expansion of the existing ticketing building for new ticketing team store facilities; home team clubhouse improvements, including new female locker rooms and upgraded weight spaces, restrooms, kitchen and dining areas; video board/scoreboard on the outfield wall; and accessible ramp and expanded concourse at the main entrance.

“One of the bigger things I'm excited about is the new front entry plaza. At the old ballpark there was a little eight-foot opening, where you had to get 3,000 people through that opening in an hour,” DeWine said. “There was no welcome mat. There was no plaza. It was just literally a road that you walk by and get in the ballpark. Now it is a true welcome mat for the ballpark.  I'm also really excited about our video board. We're going from a little, tiny thumbnail video board to a state-of-the-art video board.”

Construction began after the 2024 season and it was slowed after Helene’s destruction of the area. The Tourists will begin this season with a three-week road trip in order to give crews some extra days to finish the renovation project.

When fans do arrive there will still be a 4,000-person capacity, but there will be added experiences for fans. The plan was to keep McCormick Field as an integral part of downtown Asheville and the community that supports the Tourists.

“When we went into this project, we knew we had to keep the charm, keep the community feel, and make it still serve as a community gathering point, because at the end of the day that's what this is about,” DeWine said. “It’s where you come for good times and bad times, first dates, celebrating birthdays, whatever it is. That was goal number one: make it still have a community feel. 

“With that, seating will stay the same and you are still just as close to the action, but then we've added things that you really need to make it better,” he continued. “Like the new bathroom; who doesn't want a nice, clean new bathroom. Then there's the new party areas where, when you're throwing that corporate outing, or that birthday party or wedding rehearsal, that can go with the event, too. Down left field we will have two areas, the first is a pavilion called the Best Buy Metals Pavilion. Next to that is the Champion Credit Union Club, which is an indoor-outdoor space. On the right field side, we actually took away foul territory and created the Palmetto Bath and Home Bullpen Area, where you're literally on the field, and you're right next to the visiting team's bullpen. You can almost take a selfie with them.”

For more information about the Asheville Tourists, or to purchase tickets, go to www.milb.com/asheville.