Winston-Salem Dash 2026 Gameday Guide
Plan your perfect game day with can’t-miss promotions, theme nights, food, and insider tips for the 2026 season.
There's no game in town quite like a Winston-Salem Dash game. The 2026 season runs from April through early September, with 66 home games, 30+ theme nights, 25 fireworks shows, and nightly promotions—from Thirsty Thursdays to Fireworks Fridays.
The Dash are the High-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox and play at award-winning Truist Stadium, named the #1 ballpark in the nation by Ballparks.com. It's the kind of place where the experience goes well beyond the game: skyline views at sunset, local brews at the outfield bar, blankets spread across the berm. Add in high-energy theme nights and a steady stream of future MLB talent, and there's something here for just about everyone.
Here's how to make the most of a Dash game in 2026.
KNOW THE BEST NIGHTS TO GO
Promos, themes, and rebrands to catch in 2026
Weekly Promo Nights
The Dash keep things lively all season with daily promotions at every home game—weekly deals, returning fan favorites, and postgame traditions:
Dollar Dog Tuesdays (New) Tuesdays are all about the classics: hot dogs for just $1 all game long.
Kids Eat Free Wednesdays (New) Kids 12 and under get a free meal with the purchase of an adult entrée—an easy way for families to make a night of it.
Thirsty Thursdays + Pups in the Park Two fan favorites on the same night. Thirsty Thursday brings $2 draft beers all game, while Pups in the Park welcomes the four-legged crowd. Lawn seats start at $7, a $5 pooch pass gets your dog in, and proceeds benefit the Forsyth Humane Society. After the final pitch, leashed dogs and their humans are invited onto the field for a lap around the bases.
Fireworks Fridays & Saturdays The Dash light up the sky after every Friday and Saturday home game—a quick turnaround after the final pitch, then one of the most popular traditions at Truist Stadium. Special theme nights on weekends add to the fun. (See theme night highlights below.)
Sunday Funday 4-Pack Four tickets, four hot dogs, chips, and drinks for $60. New this year: arrive early for pregame autographs with select Dash players, then stick around for a postgame catch on the field.
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Every Game: Run the Bases After every home game, kids 12 and under are invited onto the field to run the bases. Simple, but unforgettable.
Theme Nights to Know
The Dash pack the schedule with dozens of themed nights that turn a ballgame into a full-on experience. Here are a few standouts from the first half of the season.
May Highlights
Sunday, May 3 | Star Wars Night
Meet costumed characters, take part in a ballpark-wide bounty hunt, and upgrade to the Jedi Training package for on-field instruction and a light-up bat.
Friday, May 15 | Shag Night
Celebrate the Carolinas’ signature dance with live music from Chairmen of the Board, a beach hat giveaway for early arrivals, and postgame fireworks.
Sunday, May 31 | Dinos at the Dash
Always a hit with families, this 'Dino-Mite' event features dinosaur anamatronics, interactive exhibits, and friends from the Kernersville Reptile Zoo.
June Highlights
Saturday, June 6 | K-Pop Night
New this season, K-Pop Night brings high-energy music, themed entertainment, and a lively in-game atmosphere, capped with postgame fireworks.
Thursday, June 18 | Margaritaville Night
A Thirsty Thursday with island vibes, featuring tropical music, themed entertainment, and a pregame performance by a Jimmy Buffett tribute band.
Saturday, June 20 | 90s Country Night
Break out the boots. This throwback night features country hits, high-energy in-game entertainment, and a postgame fireworks show.
- You can find the complete lineup of theme nights here,
America 250 Celebration Week
The Dash go all out for Independence Day with a multi-night celebration that blends America’s 250th anniversary with one of the most anticipated weeks of the season. From June 30 through July 5, Truist Stadium becomes the center of the action, highlighted by themed games, specialty experiences, and three straight nights of fireworks. Throughout the series, the Dash will take the field in special America 250 jerseys all series. Game highlights include:
- July 2 | Boston Tea Party Night: Live reenactors, themed in-game entertainment, and a postgame fireworks show.
- July 3 | Americana Night: A nostalgic nod to classic Americana with retro-inspired entertainment and a fireworks show equal in scale to July 4.
- July 4 | 250th Celebration: The main event. Expect a packed ballpark, a pregame flyover, and the largest fireworks show in Winston-Salem.
*Insider Tip: This stretch is one of the most in-demand of the season and tends to sell out. Plan ahead and take advantage of early-bird pricing available through June 1. Get your tickets here.
Free Movie Nights at the Ballpark (New)
Not every great night at the ballpark requires a first pitch. The Dash’s Signature Community Nights Series brings fans together for free outdoor movie nights inside Truist Stadium, complete with big-screen showings, themed extras, and a laid-back vibe.
- Friday, April 24 | The Sandlot: A classic baseball favorite, shown where it feels most at home.
- Saturday, June 27 | Top Gun: Maverick: High-flying action on the big screen, followed by fireworks.
- Saturday, August 1 | F1: The Movie: Racing meets the ballpark with a pre-movie car show.
Note: These events are free, but tickets are required. Visit the Dash's Movie Night page for details and reservations.
DASH 101: An Inside Guide to Attending Games
Where to park, where to sit, what to eat, and more.
KNOW THE BEST SEATS
Sure, there's no such thing as bad seats at Dash games. Whether you watch from behind homeplate or an outfield bar, you'll get a great view and feel close to the action. But here's the scoop on what tickets to get if you want to beat the heat, catch a foul ball, or be up-close to the action.
Best value seats (especially for families): THE BERM. For a lot of groups, the best seats in the house aren't actually seats. It's a grassy berm just beyond the left field wall, where you can spread out a blanket, casually take in the game, and maybe snag a home run. The berm also offers easy access to the Kid's Zone, the Wicked Weed Outfield Bar, and a misting station—perfect for hot days. And at just $8, it's the most affordable spot in the stadium.
Best place to hangout and grab a beer: (TIE) You can't go wrong at either outfield bar, both offering some of the best sightlines of any stadium bar in America. The newer of the two, the Foothills Flight Deck, features patio furniture, high-tops, and a bird's-eye balcony view added in 2024. It complements the Wicked Weed Outfield Bar, a multi-level deck bar overlooking left field. Both are open to anyone 21+ — no special ticket required.
All-around best seats: CLUB SEATS. You don't have to be a VIP. Anyone can purchase club-level seats, which come with premium sightlines, in-seat wait service, easy bathroom access, and passes to the air-conditioned Flow Club — a fully stocked bar and all-you-can-eat buffet. At $20, they're only a few dollars more than regular grandstand seats ($11–$17), making them a genuine bargain given the perks.
*Insider Tip: There are plenty of other great options too, including a Picnic Terrace overlooking right field, Party Decks, and Dugout Suites. Explore everything on the Ticket Options page.
KNOW WHERE TO PARK (for free)
One of the best perks this season? The Dash are picking up the tab on parking. For 2026, all off-site lots (A–E) are free on game days, available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you don’t mind a short walk, it’s the best value play.
Prefer to park closer? On-site options at Truist Stadium are still available, with $10 premium parking and $25 valet, also first-come, first-served. Not sure where to go? Find parking maps (includng free lots) and more details on the Dash’s Gameday Parking page.
*Insider Tip: Arrive early, especially on weekends. Aim to get here at least 30 minutes before first pitch to secure a spot, avoid the rush, and catch the pregame fun.
KNOW WHAT & WHERE TO EAT
Sure, you can get peanuts and Cracker Jacks at a Dash game—but you can also get so much more. The Dash keep the menu fresh each season, and 2026 is no exception. Highlights include toasted ravioli, loaded barbecue tots, loaded potato skins, and standout entrées like the Grand Slam grilled cheese, Carolina Reaper tenders, and the "Heated Hen" fried chicken sandwich with honey-hot glaze.
Dessert and snacks bring equal creativity: apple pie empanadas with ice cream, cannoli nachos, Chicago popcorn, and walking s'mores. On the drinks side, look for the Frozen Transfusion, Spicy Margarita, and Dash Refresher. Fan favorites like walking tacos, Italian beef sandwiches, and deep-fried Oreos are also back.
Insider Tip: New this season, many of these items are available in one convenient spot—the Dash Delights concession stand on the first base concourse. For a full rundown of specialty items and concession locations, check the Dash's A to Z Fan Guide.
MORE INSIDER TIPS
• Know the Best Photo-Ops. No excuse for dull photos at a Dash game. For the best shots, head to the raised walkway behind right field—aka "the Bridge"—where a unique angle lets you grab a selfie with the entire field as your backdrop. Look for markers on the ground and a wooden post with a phone mount so you know exactly where to stand. (Other great spots: the grassy berm overlooking left field and the 10-foot bronze statue outside the main gate.)
• Know What's New in the Stadium. Truist Stadium keeps raising the bar, and 2026 is no exception—you don't get named one of the nation's top ballparks without constantly leveling up the fan experience. Recent highlights include a new $2 million LED videoboard, debuting last summer, that's 147% larger with ultra-HD clarity. On the concessions side, look for a double-line serving station in right field to keep lines moving, plus the new Dash Delights stand (noted earlier).
• Know What's Free for Families: Every game, kids of all ages get free admission to the Kids Zone—inflatables, games, and a classic carousel. And the fun doesn't stop at the final out: after each game, kids can run the bases and high-five Bolt on the way to home plate.
BONUS: Know Some Dash Facts (and impress your friends)
• The nickname dates to 2009. Chosen through a citywide contest, "Dash" nods to the punctuation mark between Winston and Salem. Before the rebrand, the team was known as the Warthogs (1995–2008) and the Spirits (1984–1994)—the latter immortalized in the 1988 film Bull Durham.
• MLB stars start here. As the High-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, Winston-Salem is a key stop on the road to the majors. Dozens of current MLB players have donned the purple, including All-Stars Marcus Semien, Luis Robert, Carlos Rodón, and Chris Sale.
• The former ballpark still stands. From 1956 to 2009, Winston-Salem's minor league teams played at historic Ernie Shore Field, just north of downtown. After Wake Forest took over in 2010, it lives on as Wake Forest Baseball Park—though one beloved piece made the trip to Truist Stadium: the carousel, relocated and refurbished in 2009, now anchors the Kids Zone.
• Truist Stadium ranked No. 1. Opened in 2010, the downtown ballpark was named "Ballpark of the Year" by Ballparks.com. Originally called BB&T Ballpark, it was renamed Truist Stadium following the 2019 BB&T–SunTrust merger.
Ready to Root, Root, Root for the Home Team?
For a look at all the 2026 promotional nights, themed games, and more, check out the Dash website. For seating options and ticket packages, check the Ticket Options section on the Dash website.
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