Wilson Warbirds

The Wilson Warbirds are the Single-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, debuting in the Carolina League in 2026 at the brand-new Wilson Stadium in Wilson, North Carolina. The franchise replaces the Carolina Mudcats, who played at Five County Stadium in nearby Zebulon from 1991 through 2025.

Wilson Stadium is the centerpiece of a $280 million sports and entertainment complex funded by the city of Wilson. The $70 million, 4,500-seat ballpark features an artificial turf playing surface and modern amenities, with construction beginning in May 2024 and completion targeted for opening day 2026. The facility represents one of the most significant investments in minor league infrastructure in recent years.

The Warbirds name celebrates the region's aviation heritage dating to World War II, with "warbirds" referring to vintage military aircraft. The branding also honors Vollis Simpson, the renowned whirligig outsider artist and former airman from Wilson whose kinetic sculptures have become iconic symbols of the community.

Under inaugural manager Eddy Morgan — a longtime NCAA Division III coach making the jump to professional baseball — the Warbirds bring Milwaukee's prospect pipeline to eastern North Carolina. The franchise's arrival marks a new chapter for minor league baseball in the region, trading the Mudcats' decades of history in Zebulon for a state-of-the-art facility and fresh identity in Wilson.