The Savannah Bananas are set to bring their unique brand of baseball entertainment to football stadiums in 2025. Owner Jesse Cole announced that the team will play at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium, which has a capacity of 81,000, on April 26.
Additionally, the Bananas will host games at NFL venues, including Nissan Stadium in Nashville, home of the Tennessee Titans, on May 10, and Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, home of the Carolina Panthers, on June 7. Cole expressed excitement, stating these events could attract some of the largest crowds in baseball history for Banana Ball.
Given the dimensions of a football stadium, the Bananas intend to install netting at least 50 feet high to challenge hitters, especially in the shorter outfield areas at Clemson. Cole highlighted that these barriers will be significantly taller than Fenway Park’s famous Green Monster. The team plans to use these unique dimensions for comedic effect, maintaining their approach of making the game entertaining.
Originally a summer league team for college players, the Bananas have transformed into a touring phenomenon, featuring a carnival-style approach that includes choreographed dances, players on stilts, and unconventional rules where fan interactions can affect gameplay. They even have an exhibit in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
This year, the Bananas and their affiliated teams, the Party Animals and Firefighters, have welcomed over 1 million fans, aiming for 2 million in the coming season. Cole emphasized the goal is not just to build a team but to create an entertaining and fast-paced sport for fans.
Cole contested comparisons of the Bananas to the Harlem Globetrotters, asserting that the outcomes are not predetermined. He noted that the Bananas lost more games than they won against the Party Animals in 2023, showcasing the competitive nature of their games.
Clemson plans to set up a baseball diamond on the football field, while the Nashville and Charlotte stadiums, which feature artificial turf, will have painted basepaths and additional baseball elements.
In 2025, the Bananas will also play at major league stadiums, including Yankee Stadium, Camden Yards, and Truist Park. Their 2024 season saw sellout crowds at various big league parks, and they expect another packed crowd next week at the Miami Marlins stadium.
The Bananas will play 30 games in their hometown of Savannah, Georgia, where they began in 2016 at the 5,000-seat Grayson Stadium.
Next season will see a new rival, the Texas Tailgaters, joining the Bananas’ lineup alongside the Party Animals and Firefighters. Cole is also launching the Banana Ball Championship League, with two additional teams anticipated for 2026.
As for the championship prize, one might jokingly suggest a trophy shaped like a banana. Cole concluded by expressing ambitious plans for the future, including aiming for 2 million fans and expanding the league.