The Bismarck Larks 2026 Impact Report highlights the team’s impact on fans, local businesses, nonprofits, young athletes and the greater Bismarck-Mandan community throughout Season 10.

From more than 60,000 tickets sold to community fundraising, tourism, workforce development and youth sports, 2026 was about much more than baseball.

Larks Fans Flock to the Ballpark in Droves for Season 10

The Larks hosted 36 home games this summer at Bismarck Municipal Ballpark, the home of Dakota Community Bank & Trust Field. There were 60,482 tickets sold this season, resulting in just over 86% of the ballpark’s 1,950 capacity sold out every night.

In addition to providing the FUN, family-friendly entertainment fans have come to know and love, we and our partners put on several free community and family events throughout the year. These events included the Kids STEM Education Expo, Community Mine Tour at North American Coal, Pitch, Hit, & Run Event, Jersey Food Drive, a community Bike to the Ballpark day, an Away Game Watch Party at the Tap-In Tavern, Special Olympics Baseball Camp, Clark’s Birthday Party at Elk Ridge Park, Bat Demo Day at Sanford POWER, Yoga at the Ballpark with Proximal 50, Oil Change Party with Valvoline Instant Oil Change, and the Hunter’s Smile Trunk or Treat with Hollevoet and Welk.

Impact on Tourism

The Larks welcomed fans from across North Dakota and the rest of the United States, with almost 700 tickets sold outside the Bismarck-Mandan-Lincoln area. This number does not include numerous parents of players who visited from out of town and received tickets from the Larks player pass list, as well as out-of-town guests who used tickets purchased in advance from businesses or local residents.

Fans from 31 states came to experience the FUN of at least one Larks game this summer. The farthest fans traveled 4,200 miles all the way from London, United Kingdom, to see a game. 

National Exposure for the State

2026 marked the first year of the partnership between the Northwoods League and FloSports. This partnership gave Larks games national and international attention, with the streaming platform having over 1 million subscribers.

This summer, the Larks attracted 7,249 viewers over their 36 home games, averaging 201 viewers per game. Viewers watched for a total of over 592,770 minutes, averaging 16,466 minutes watched per game. The most viewed game this summer came on opening night, when 443 people tuned in to see the Larks take on the St. Cloud Rox and watched for a total of 27,140 minutes.

Workforce Recruitment and Retention

In 2026, the Larks expanded to a front office team of 18 employees, with 11 moving to Bismarck from out of state. The team also had two employees celebrate their 10th season with the Larks, and two celebrate their 7th season.

The team employed a total of 89 seasonal game-day staff who worked around the ballpark in operations, food and beverage, and entertainment roles. 20 of these employees said working for the Larks was their first job.

As it does every season, the Larks’ internship program offers college credit to students who want to break into sports as a career. This year, 23 interns made the trek to Bismarck for hands-on training in operations, tickets, media, sponsorships, merchandising, accounting, clubhouse management, and entertainment. Of the 20 interns, all but one moved from out of state, and a few even from outside the country. These individuals moved from South Korea, Japan, Germany, China, Missouri, West Virginia, Illinois, Utah, California, Colorado, South Carolina, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, and Texas.

The team also hosted 95 Larks players, over 320 visiting players, 4 coaches, and 24 visiting coaches, exposing them to all that our state has to offer.

Nonprofit and Fundraising Impact

Through fundraising efforts, silent auctions, and community engagement events, the Bismarck Larks and their sponsors proudly raised approximately $80,536. These funds help support organizations making a difference in Bismarck and beyond our community.

Want to see an even deeper look at the impact made through the Larks Community FUNd? Explore the 2026 Larks Community FUNd Impact Report.

2026 Fundraising Breakdown

• $29,981 raised through jersey auctions
• $9,862 raised through silent auctions and ticket fundraiser donations
• $4,991 through the First International Bank & Trust Miracle Minute and Speed Pitch donations
• $30,000 to the Bismarck Cancer Center and Dolly Parton Imagination Library with our strikeout donations from North American Coal
• $5,100 raised in July for Blue Cross Blue Shield Strikeout the Stigma
• 3,020 LBS of food and $425 raised in our Jersey Food Drive for the Great Plains Food Bank
• 150 backpacks and almost $200 donated to Carrie’s Kids in the Backback Giveback promotion

Supporting Local Nonprofits

The funds raised by the Bismarck Larks have gone to a variety of local nonprofits including the Bismarck Cancer Center, the North Dakota National Guard Foundation, Governor’s Heritage Foundation, the Great Plains Food Bank, and many more. These contributions aim to improve community welfare and support essential programs for those in need in our own backyard. We’re proud to have supported over 150 organizations in 2026. 

In addition to monetary support, we also donated our time with four volunteer events as part of our Larks Cares program presented by H.A. Thompson and Sons. We volunteered at The Great Plains Food Bank, Wachter Wave Pool, Circus Shriners, and Ronald McDonald House. 

Celebrating Community Heroes

The Bismarck Larks believe in recognizing the groups and individuals in the community who go above and beyond to make this area a better place to live, work, and play. Every season, the Larks, along with their sponsors, do this through donated tickets, scholarships, grants, special recognitions at games or in the community, and exposure in various media outlets. In 2026, we celebrated the following:

• 701 Giveback Night
• America 250 Night
• Bismarck State College Nights
• Britta Curl Night
• City of Bismarck Night
• Education Day
• Hall of Fame Night
• Heroes Among Us Night
• Limitless Night
• ND Nice Night
• Parks & Recreation Night
• Renew Your Vows Night
• Stronger than Cancer Night
• Stronger Together Night
• Teacher Appreciation Night
• Twins Night
• UMary Night
• Youth Sports Night

Special recognitions were also given to:

• 6 Hidden Hometown Heroes and 21 total nominees with SCHEELS and Bismarck Magazine
• 1 Kid of the Year and 8 other Kid of the Months with MDU Resources Group
• 5 Local Educators and 31 total nominees with Lignite Energy Council
• 2 children running a Home Run for Life
• 9 Bismarck State College students as Honorary Academic Captains
• 7 on-field oath of enlistments for the Marine and Army recruits
• 4 on-field vow renewals with Zorell’s

Impact of Youth Baseball and Softball

This summer, we hosted two Youth Baseball Camps and one Youth Softball Camp, where kids learned baseball fundamentals from Larks players and coaches. Nearly 150 kids participated and improved their baseball skills.

We also hosted our second MLB Pitch, Hit and Run event, where young athletes tested and showcased their baseball and softball skills. 

Athletes were also welcomed out to the ballpark for free on Twins Night, courtesy of Bismarck native and Minnesota Twins legend, Dave St. Peter. Dave hosted a meet-and-greet, signing autographs and taking pictures with kids from the community.

Looking Forward

After 10 seasons of creating core memories, a stronger community, and lifelong fans, the Bismarck Larks are looking forward to continuing to make a greater impact on the area they call home.

“I’m so proud of the impact we’ve been able to have on this community, but I’m even more grateful for the people of Bismarck-Mandan for showing up and helping us to be everything that we are,” said Larks President Rob Williamson. “The first 10 years have been amazing; the next 10 years will be even better.”

See how this year’s impact builds on the momentum from last season by exploring the 2025 Bismarck Larks Community Impact Report.