The Arkansas Travelers and ownership group Diamond Baseball Holdings announced Monday a long-term lease keeping professional baseball at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock through the 2046 season.
The 20-year agreement, approved Aug. 10, formalizes a multi-decade plan to anchor the Travelers as a year-round destination for fans and community events, team officials and city leaders said. The deal is intended to preserve an established local amenity while supporting additional investments and programming at the ballpark.
Long-term commitment and community use
Team management described the lease as a milestone for an organization with deep regional roots. The Travelers, which trace their presence in central Arkansas back more than a century, plan to expand the site’s role beyond baseball games to host festivals, youth activities and special sporting events.
“Today marks an incredibly important moment in the Travelers’ long history in Central Arkansas,” said Sophie Ozier, the Travelers’ general manager. “An agreement of this significance gives us the opportunity to build on that history in a meaningful way.”
North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick praised the outcome as a civic win, saying the ballpark has become a gathering place for residents and visitors and that keeping the Travelers in the city will benefit local businesses and community life.
Facility improvements and youth programming
Recent upgrades at Dickey-Stephens Park, including a new LED video board, LED lighting and an indoor batting cage, were cited as factors that enhance the venue’s capabilities and attractiveness. The indoor batting cage is already being used by the Arkansas Travelers Youth Foundation to support local baseball and softball programs.
Team leaders and city officials said the partnership will allow for additional community-focused events. The 2026 schedule has already featured a variety of nontraditional offerings, including a University of Arkansas baseball game and the Central Arkansas debut of Banana Ball, a shortened, fast-paced exhibition format.
What the agreement entails
Details released by the Travelers and the city emphasize the duration of the lease and an ongoing commitment to maintain and program the facility. While the public release did not include a full breakdown of financial terms or the precise responsibilities for capital improvements, both sides framed the lease as a platform for steady operations and expanded public use.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Lease length | 20 years (through 2046) |
| Recent upgrades | LED video board, LED lighting, indoor batting cage |
| Community programs | Youth foundation activities, special events, collegiate games |
Officials said the agreement will support the Travelers’ ongoing presence and enable planning for future seasons. The ownership group, Diamond Baseball Holdings, which manages multiple professional clubs, committed to working with the city to expand the park’s role as a community resource.
Local impact and next steps
For residents and nearby businesses, a long-term lease offers stability that can lead to predictable scheduling of games and events, more reliable foot traffic and potentially greater opportunities for local vendors and contractors. City leaders framed the deal as an investment in placemaking that could help attract visitors and support downtown and riverfront activity.
- Fans can expect the Travelers to remain at Dickey-Stephens Park through at least the 2046 season.
- Facility improvements already in place will support expanded programming and youth activities.
- Officials say additional events beyond traditional baseball are planned for the ballpark.
Mayor Hartwick said keeping the Travelers in North Little Rock benefits residents and commerce and will help preserve the park as a community hub. The Travelers’ management said the long view allows the franchise to plan capital projects and programming that align with both sporting and civic goals.
As work continues to refine plans and schedule events under the new lease, city leaders and team officials said they will provide further details to the public about upcoming community activities and potential improvements at the venue.
Cole Beaumont, State Correspondent
