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Your guide to sports teams in Winston-Salem

From the Carolina Thunderbirds to Salem City FC, we’re sharing all details of Winston-Salem’s sports teams.

Crowd of people in hockey jerseys cheering on the team.

There’s plenty of pride in the stands.

Photo courtesy of John Holland via Carolina Thunderbirds

Whether you’re a sports fanatic — or just look good in red and black — when it comes to sports, Winston-Salem has no shortage of teams to support. Our city is home to some of the most loyal fans in the country — they even help name mascots.

In this guide, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about Winston-Salem sports, so whether you’re already a devoted Twin City sports fan or you’re new to the area, we hope it can serve as a valuable resource.

⚾️ Winston-Salem Dash (MiLB) | Est. 1945 (renamed 2008)

If you’re looking for wholesome family fun, look no further than a Dash game. The franchise is the High-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox and has a reputation for fun food items and creative rebrandings. The team has had many names over the years, including the Warthogs, Twins, and Spirits.

Where they play: Truist Stadium

  • 5,500 seating capacity situated in downtown with skyline views
  • Boasts four unique bars, from a speakeasy in a shipping container to a “flight deck” in the outfield

Mascot: Bolt

Baseball field from above with city skyline in the background. Players are on the field.

Come for the game, stay for the views.

Photo by WStoday

Team colors: Purple, black, and white

  • The team introduced its gold and black pinstripe “Golden Age” collection for 2024 and wore the jerseys and hats during home games on Saturdays
  • Shop for merch

Major accomplishments:

  • Earned Baseball America’s “Bob Freitas Award” in 2018 for best attendance among all High-A teams.
  • Logan Jones was named the Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year for the South Atlantic League for 2024.
  • Hype Hens rebranding was a finalist for MiLB’s Alternate Identity of the Year award in 2024.

🗓️ Mark your calendar for Tuesday, April 8, 2025 for Opening Night.

🏒 Carolina Thunderbirds (FPHL) | Est. 2017

The minor professional hockey team comes from a long line of predecessors, most recently the Winston-Salem Polar Twins and the Twin City Cyclones. The team is known for its loyal fans, who “Flock Together” and have been known to sell out the Fairgrounds Arena and sport their team spirit in the stands. Head coach Steve Harrison travels around to different locations for his weekly broadcast of “The Coach Harry Show.”

Where they play: Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Arena

  • 4,000-seat arena built in 1989
  • When the Thunderbirds aren’t on the ice, it hosts public ice skating October-March.
WStoday_Carolina Thunderbirds

You’re likely to see a few brawls on the ice.

Photo courtesy of John Holland via Carolina Thunderbirds

Mascot(s): Thunderbirds Winston and Salem (and sometimes Dash)

  • Will attend your special event for a fee
  • Their birthday celebration on March 11 usually holds surprises for fans.

Team colors: Red, black, and white

Major accomplishments:

  • 2019 Commissioner’s Cup champions
  • Current goalie Mario Cavaliere has the most wins in franchise history.
  • Thunderbirds fans — who call themselves “The Flock” — have been voted the best fans in the FPHL.

🗓️ Grab tickets to the remainder of the 2024-2025 season

⚽️ Salem City FC (USL League Two) | Est. 2023

The pre-professional club has links to the accomplished Carolina Dynamo. The team’s new brand celebrates the Twin City’s commitment to the arts and innovation, and strives to be a positive force in the community. There are 28 players on the roster. The season runs May-September.

Where they play: Truist Sports Park

  • Located right off I-40 in Bermuda Run (west of Winston-Salem), the park hosts soccer clubs and tournaments around the country.
  • On game days you’ll find food trucks, a beer garden, inflatables, and tents with merchandise.
Players on soccer field in blue and white uniforms. Two referees in yellow jerseys are also on the field.

You can get up close to the action at Truist Sports Park.

Photo by WStoday

Mascot: The Beast

  • The mascot is the team’s take on a Greek mythological creature comprised of a lion, goat/ram, and snake.
  • It represents the team’s diversity and mix of cultures, as well as a symbol of team characteristics of courage (lion), power (goat), and cunning (snake).

Team colors: blue and white

  • The art-deco stylings of the Reynolds Building is featured on away jerseys and season tickets, as a way to pay homage to the city’s history.
  • Shop for merch

Major accomplishments:

  • Goalkeeper Wessel Speel was named ACC Goalkeeper of the Year in 2024.
  • Matty Tricker was named SAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2024.

⚾️ Carolina Disco Turkeys (SCBL) | Est. 2021

The summer collegiate baseball team plays with wood bats. Players come from large and small colleges in the Southeast to provide family-friendly entertainment like themed nights and fireworks. You might even hear an occasional disco tune during games.

Where they play: David F. Couch Ballpark at Wake Forest University (weekends and holidays) + RJ Reynolds Field at Hanes Park (weekdays)

  • All tickets except table seating are open seating so you can scout your best view
  • Classic ballpark concessions + alcohol are available at The Couch, food trucks are frequently on site at Hanes Park games

Mascot: Boogie

  • The name got 50% of votes from fans in 2021
  • Some people call disco turkeys peacocks

Team colors: navy, royal blue, light blue, and coral

  • The design is loosely based on Major League uniforms from the 1970s and 1980s.
  • Shop for merch

Major accomplishments:

  • Former players Austin St. Laurent (third base) and Adam Conrad (pitcher) were the first to join MLB rosters — for the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres, respectively.
  • FOX Sports declared that the team’s name might be “the best team name/logo in all of sports.”
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