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Lynchburg Hillcats rebrand as Hill City Howlers ahead of 2026 season
The Hillcats era is over in Lynchburg. The city’s Carolina League club has rebranded as the Hill City Howlers, unveiling a fresh look, a pack of five mascots led by Indy the Werewolf, and a brand story rooted in Hill City lore [1]. “We needed some energy,” owner/CEO Dylan Narang said, with GM Matt Ramstead linking the change to planned City Stadium upgrades and renewed community investment [1].On the field, the Howlers open 2026 on the road April 2 at Kannapolis and make their City Stadium debut April 7 at 6:30 p.m. against Fredericksburg [2]. The Howlers identity now carries across the club’s official pages, including full-season schedule, roster, and standings, as the Single-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians continues in the Carolina League [2][3][4][5].The franchise history reflects the switch as well, listing Hill City Howlers from 2026 onward and retiring the Lynchburg Hillcats name from prior seasons [5].