The Savannah Bananas are set to take their unique brand of baseball fun to the gridiron in 2025. Team owner Jesse Cole announced that the lively squad, known for its entertaining and unconventional style called Banana Ball, will play at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium, which holds 81,000 fans, on April 26.
In addition, the Bananas will host games at two NFL venues. They’ll be at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, home of the Tennessee Titans, on May 10, followed by a game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, where the Carolina Panthers play, on June 7. Cole remarked, “These will be some of the biggest crowds in baseball history to see Banana Ball,” emphasizing the excitement surrounding these events.
Given the limited space in football stadiums, the Bananas plan to install netting at least 50 feet high at all three locations to challenge players in the outfield. Cole highlighted that this netting will be much taller than Fenway Park’s iconic 37-foot Green Monster, promising plenty of comedic moments. “In Banana Ball, we like to make things a little different. We’re going to have fun with it,” he said, known for his trademark yellow tuxedo.
Originally a summer league team for college players, the Bananas have evolved into a touring phenomenon, featuring carnival-like antics, choreographed dance routines, and unique rules, like counting outs when fans catch foul balls. Their popularity has even earned them an exhibit at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
In 2023, the Bananas and their affiliated teams—the Party Animals and Firefighters—attracted over a million fans, with a goal of reaching 2 million next year. “We’re not just building a team, we’re building a sport,” Cole stated, highlighting their commitment to creating the most entertaining experience for fans.
Contrary to some opinions comparing them to the Harlem Globetrotters, Cole emphasized that Banana Ball remains competitive, with the Bananas losing more games than they won against the Party Animals in 2023. “We have people say, ‘Hey, these guys can really play,’” he said.
Clemson will create a baseball diamond, complete with a dirt infield, at Death Valley, while Nashville and Charlotte will paint basepaths and other features on their artificial turf fields to resemble baseball stadiums.
In 2025, the Savannah Bananas are also set to headline 18 weekends at major league stadiums, making their inaugural appearances at Yankee Stadium, Camden Yards, and Truist Park. They are expected to draw large crowds after sellout games in cities like Houston, Philadelphia, and Boston during their 2024 campaign.
With a home base in Savannah, Georgia, where they began in 2016, the Bananas will continue to play 30 games at the historic Grayson Stadium. Cole emphasized the significance of Savannah, stating, “It’s our home.”
Next season, a new team, the Texas Tailgaters, will join the Party Animals and Firefighters. Looking ahead, Cole is planning to launch a Banana Ball Championship League, set to introduce two more teams in 2026.
As Cole dreams big about the future, one can only wonder what the championship trophy will look like—perhaps one shaped like a banana? “In between the football stadiums and MLB stadiums and 2 million fans, we’re dreaming as big as we can,” he said, hinting at the exciting possibilities ahead.
