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.

Cristy Bullock, Executive Director of the Dunn Area Tourism Authority, 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

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. “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 6:00 pm, at Campbell University’s Barker-Lane Stadium. 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. “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, we look forward to visitors experiencing the very best of Harnett County during their stay.

Harnett County is one of the fastest growing counties in North Carolina with approximately 146,000 residents. Harnett's tagline of "Strong Roots, New Growth," describes a county in transition, one that values its rural agricultural heritage while also embracing new growth and industry. Harnett County is optimally located just between North Carolina's capital city of Raleigh and the internationally recognized Research Triangle Park to the north, and the nation's largest military installation in Fort Bragg to the south. 

For more information, contact Community Relations Director, Desiree Patrick at publicinfo@harnett.org  or 910-893-7555.