Durham Next Issues Feasibility Study to Identify Opportunities for Durham County Memorial Stadium

For Immediate Release:

Tourism Economic Development Nonprofit Partners with Community Leaders to Modernize 68-year-old Stadium 

[DURHAM, N.C.] July 27, 2026 — Durham Next, an economic development organization focused on tourism, has selected Gensler to conduct a feasibility study to identify opportunities to upgrade, expand or rebuild the existing infrastructure at Durham County Memorial Stadium to improve its capabilities for hosting more championship-level sports, as well as other festivals and large-scale events.

The Destination Master Plan (DMP) identifies the stadium’s upgrade as an opportunity to host more tournament-style sporting events that attract visitors to Durham and create vibrant experiences for residents to enjoy. Recent data shows that despite growing interest in Durham as a destination for sports tourism, the community is falling behind in the amenities needed to compete for large-scale events. In response, Durham Next has partnered with Durham County Government and the Durham Sports Commission (DSC) to explore possibilities for the stadium’s future.

“Durham County Memorial Stadium has hosted championship face-offs and local events in Durham for almost 70 years, making it a staple in our community,” said Tara Kenchen, executive director of Durham Next. “Durham County Memorial Stadium’s major sporting events, like the CIAA Football Championship, Conference Carolinas Women’s Flag Football Championship, NAIA Football National Championship and over 20 NCHSAA State Championships, draw visitors who contribute millions of dollars to our economy each year — dollars that help local businesses succeed, support our workforce and offset the tax burden for locals. The work we’re doing now will help ensure that the stadium continues to serve as a community asset for decades to come.”

Durham County Memorial Stadium is an 8,500-seat sports and event venue owned by Durham County. The stadium was originally built in 1958 and underwent significant renovations in 2010 and again in 2019 to expand the stadium’s facilities and hosting capabilities. Today, Durham County Memorial Stadium is home to some Shaw University athletic teams: Football, Men’s Soccer and Women’s Soccer, the Carolina Flyers Ultimate frisbee professional team, the Tobacco Road Football Club, collegiate conference championships, state and regional championship games and various community programs and events.

“Durham has hosted 55 championship events since 2021 and has established itself as a Championship Hub,” said Marcus Manning, executive director of the Durham Sports Commission. “Durham County Memorial Stadium has played a centralized role in Durham becoming a championship hub by hosting over 30 championship events, from national championships to conference and state championship events. Durham is striving to be one of the most forward thinking, innovative sports destinations in the United States. As we dream about a transformative future, Durham County Memorial Stadium has an opportunity to serve as a community asset, expand regional and national sports and non-sports opportunities and be a significant economic driver for Durham.”

Gensler and Victus Advisors will perform a feasibility and market analysis, work jointly with Durham Next to gather feedback from the larger community and deliver proposed options for the stadium’s redevelopment based on the qualitative and quantitative data collected. Durham Next will also activate its Community Advisory Council (CAC) to support the project work and shape the project’s overall approach to community-wide engagement.

Learn more about this project and track our ongoing progress at https://durhamnext.org/projects/durham-county-memorial-stadium-feasibility-study.