Harnett County is proud to announce that the City of Dunn has been selected to host the 2025 Diamond Youth Baseball World Series, marking the first time this tournament will be held in Harnett County.

The tournament will take place from July 24- July 31, 2025, with games hosted at Tyler Park and Clarence Lee Tart Memorial Park in Dunn, North Carolina. This event will spotlight 6U and 8U co-ed baseball teams and is expected to draw thousands of young athletes and their families to the County.

Executive Director of the Dunn Area Tourism Authority Cristy Bullock is assisting in the event coordination efforts. 

“Dunn is absolutely thrilled to be hosting the Diamond Youth Baseball World Series A & AA Divisions 1 & 2; it’s a testament to our vibrant community and its unwavering spirit. We are so grateful to our amazing Parks and Recreation team, Carolyn Elmore and the Dunn Booster’s Club for all their efforts to create some unforgettable memories for these young athletes and their families. We are so excited to showcase our beautiful city on the national stage,” said Bullock in a press release.

Hosting the World Series is projected to generate a significant economic impact for Harnett County and the surrounding region. With families traveling in for the week-long event, local hotels, restaurants, and small businesses are projected to see a substantial boost in tourism-related business.

“The economic impact of the Diamond Youth Baseball World Series in the City of Dunn will be significant, not only locally through hotel stays, dining, and retail shopping, but also across the region,” said Stephen Barrington, Director of Harnett County Economic Development in a press release. “With 42 teams and 588 players and coaches expected, the tournament will draw families, friends, and baseball enthusiasts to the area, creating a meaningful boost to our local economy.”

The excitement will officially kickoff with a ceremony event on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 6 p.m., taking place at Campbell University’s Barker-Lane Stadium, located at 58 Wade Stewart Circle, Lillington, NC. The opening ceremony will feature:

• City, County, and local elected officials and dignitaries
• The Golden Knights parachuting in
• Mia Johnson Alvarez performing the national anthem
• Various food trucks
• Videos from major league players, and more.
• The opening ceremony is open to the public to attend as well.

"We were thrilled to find out the Diamond Youth Baseball World Series was being held in our county this summer,” said Patricia Harmon-Lewis, Harnett County Tourism Director in a press release. “Welcoming players, families and fans from across the country to Harnett County is a great opportunity to showcase our local attractions, great restaurants and the warm hospitality. We hope they will make great memories on and off the field during the tournament and visit us again in the future!"

Harnett County is honored to welcome teams from 11 different states to the City of Dunn for this nationally recognized sporting event. With so much to offer, county officials look forward to visitors experiencing the very best of Harnett County during their stay.