WILSON, N.C. — The City of Wilson is preparing for a major new tenant to join their historic downtown area. The Carolina Mudcats are moving to Wilson in 2026 after a unanimous city council vote earlier this month.

The proposals for the new stadium include hotels, apartments, new commercial development and much more, all totaling to nearly $300 million.

The Carolina Mudcats will be moving from nearby Zebulon. 

"Wake County and the own of Zebulon are disappointed to learn of the Brewers’ decision to enter into a memorandum of understanding with Wilson to relocate the Carolina Mudcats to their city," a town spokesperson said in a statement.

"We will continue to host the Carolina Mudcats at Five County Stadium and work amicably with the organization throughout this transition," the town said.

The move means Wilson will now have two baseball teams.

Mahalia Witter-Merithew sits on the Wilson Tourism Board and is the co-owner of Casita Brewing Company, which will benefit from this major downtown transformation.

The brewery sits right next to the famous Whirligig Park, which will serve as a backdrop to the new stadium.

“Homeplate will be by the corner over there where those traffic lights are and then the back of the stadium will be here, so you can see the Whirligig Park's whirligigs," said Witter-Merithew.

She says many in the community aren't sure how supporting two teams, the Wilson Tobs and now the Wilson Mudcats, will work.

“Whether or not the community will be able to support two baseball teams, I think there's potential for them to collaborate if both teams have the right mindset," said Witter-Merithew.

Those who live in Wilson will also see an increase in taxes, estimated to be an additional $20 per year for the next 25 years.