'It's going to be a lot of excitement': Women's pro softball coming to Durham

Women's professional softball is coming to Durham this summer.

Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) announced the Bull City, more specifically Duke University's Smith Family Stadium, will be home to the Carolina Blaze.

The Blaze was introduced on Wednesday at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

The team will include Ana Gold and Jala Wright, both of whom played collegiate softball for Duke. 

"I think it's going to be a lot of excitement, and a lot of new people as well," Gold said.

AUSL was formed with six teams in 2025, and sold out games across the country including at Holly Springs' Ting Stadium.

The Blaze, one of those inaugural teams, will find a home in Durham in 2026. Gold said she hopes that Duke fans will help foster the growth in the fanbase.

"I know that there's been a lot of Duke fans that are loyal and dedicated," Gold said. "I'm sure they will come out ot a lot of games."

One thing that will help those roots is the Blaze will have a three-game series in June at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

They join the Chicago Bandits, Oklahoma City Spark, Portland Cascade, Texas Volts and Utah Talons in the six-team league, which begins play on June 9.