Futures Collegiate Baseball League to add Lowell team, play at LeLacheur Park beginning 2026

UMass Lowell officials, city leaders and executives from the Futures Collegiate Baseball League announced Thursday that the Futures League will bring a summer collegiate baseball team to Lowell and play home games at LeLacheur Park beginning in 2026.

The announcement, made at LeLacheur Park, is part of a broader partnership that university and city officials said aims to revive summer baseball in Lowell, support local entertainment options for workers and residents, and give college players a showcase in front of professional scouts.

Chancellor Julie Chen, chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Lowell, said the partnership fits the university’s economic-development goals and the Lowell Innovation Network Corridor, adding that projects like this are possible only when “it’s a team all working together.”

“We’re excited to be bringing summer baseball back to Lowell,” Chen said. She described the Futures League as a pathway for graduating college players and noted that the partnership supports the region’s ability to attract residents and employers who value local entertainment.

Joe Palucci, commissioner of the Futures League, said the league prioritizes “world class facilities” and credited the venue and partners for making the move possible. Palucci said the league has had 300 players drafted by Major League Baseball teams and that 28 league alumni have made MLB debuts. He also said that with Lowell joining, “six of our seven teams will play in former professional stadiums.”

John Creedon Jr., owner of the Nashua Silver Knights and chair of the Futures League board, thanked UMass Lowell and local partners for the multi-year effort to bring a team to Lowell. Creedon described the announcement as a “homecoming for baseball in Lowell” and closed the formal remarks by saying, “Play ball.”

Lowell City Manager Tom Golden and elected officials praised the partnership and said the city will work with the state legislative delegation and UMass to secure funding for stadium upgrades. Vice Mayor Paul Yem and Councilor Rita Mercier joined other councilors at the event to welcome the league; Councilor Eric Gitcheid described the announcement as the result of sustained outreach and long-standing local support.

State Representative Vanna Howard, speaking for the legislative delegation, welcomed the league and said she expects the Lowell team to draw strong attendance, referencing the community’s history of support for summer baseball.

Speakers said the league will now proceed to identify and select a Lowell team owner and that additional work will be required to finalize operations and any stadium renovations. UMass Lowell’s role includes hosting the team at LeLacheur Park and supporting facility work; Golden and others said state funds are being pursued to restore and upgrade the ballpark but did not give a dollar amount or timetable for work.

Background cited at the event noted the departure of the Lowell Spinners in 2020 and described the Futures League as a summer collegiate circuit that gives college players a chance to showcase skills to scouts. Organizers and local officials repeatedly framed the move as restoring summer family entertainment and providing opportunities for local youth to see college players in person.

Organizers invited media and the public to a brief post-program signing and to follow-up questions. No formal city council votes or legislative actions were completed at the event; officials described the announcement as a partnership milestone and said further steps — including owner selection and funding for stadium improvements — remain.

The formal program concluded with an invitation for refreshments and an official signing ceremony and with organizers directing media to a location for additional questions.