CHARLESTON, W.Va. –Charleston City Council members approved a resolution Monday during their meeting to extend the city’s stadium lease with the Charleston Professional Baseball Company, which operates the Charleston Dirty Birds, through the 2026 season while negotiations for a long-term agreement continue.
The team plays its home games at the city-owned GoMart Ballpark.
City Manager Ben Mishoe said the amendment would extend the current five-year lease, which ends in May, through the end of the season in October.
He said the agreement is meant to assure the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball that the Dirty Birds will remain in the Capitol City.
“It’s March and we have baseball starting soon, and they need a lease in place, so the league is comfortable with the games, the schedule,” Mishoe said.
He said the agreement also allows the lease to be extended through the 2027 season if a new long-term deal isn’t reached by October.
However, Mishoe said city officials will continue working toward a long-term lease while also addressing needed improvements at the stadium.
“In the meantime, we’re going to continue working with Mr. Shea and his representatives to work with a longer-term agreement and also touch up something’s that really need to be done at the baseball stadium,” he said.
Opening day for the 2026 season is April 21.