UPDATE: The Savannah Bananas are taking a bold leap in the world of sports! Just announced, the team will launch the inaugural season of the Banana Ball Championship League in February 2026, encompassing 75 stadiums across 45 states, with plans to entertain an astonishing 3.2 million fans.
This groundbreaking move follows a meteoric rise for the Bananas, who have already captivated over 2 million fans and sold out 17 Major League Baseball stadiums in 2025. Founder Jesse Cole revealed the exciting details on ESPN2, igniting a frenzy among baseball enthusiasts and trendsetters alike.
The league will see games held in iconic venues, including 14 MLB parks and 10 football stadiums. Notably, two massive stadiums with capacities over 100,000—Texas A&M’s Kyle Field and Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium—are on the schedule, promising an electrifying atmosphere. Conversely, the smallest crowd in Banana Ball history will be hosted at Dehler Park in Billings, Montana, where only 3,000 fans will gather.
Cole expressed that this expansion aims to bring Banana Ball to a broader audience. “We want to be able to go to the biggest stadiums, but also to the smallest stadium,” he stated. The league will also introduce two new teams: the Loco Beach Coconuts and the Indianapolis Clowns, each with a unique twist on the game.
Shane Victorino, a two-time World Series champion, will lead the Coconuts, which will embody a beach theme and play in coastal locations. He emphasized the importance of joy and passion in the game, stating, “Coaching a team like that, it’s about vibes.”
The Indianapolis Clowns, a historic team from the Negro Leagues, will also make their return. Cole described their revival as a significant tribute to a team that merged entertainment with baseball. “The rebirth of the Indianapolis Clowns is an exciting and historically relevant tribute,” said Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
The Championship League will kick off with 11 preseason games leading to a Banana Ball open tournament, culminating in a 50-game regular season from April to September. The season will conclude with the Banana Bowl on October 10, 2026.
In a twist to enhance competition, the league will implement a new “equalizer rule,” allowing visiting teams to earn extra points for trick plays in the first eight innings. Cole emphasized the need to keep games entertaining and competitive.
While the Bananas are receiving increasing calls to expand internationally, Cole made it clear that their focus remains on the United States for now. “There are still places all over the country that have not seen Banana Ball that we want to bring it to,” he affirmed.
Ticket demand is expected to skyrocket, with projections of 3 million to 4 million people joining the lottery within 48 hours. However, Cole confirmed that ticket prices will remain the same, ensuring accessibility for all fans.
As the Savannah Bananas continue to redefine baseball, they remain committed to delivering excitement and joy in every game. This championship league represents not just a new chapter for the Bananas, but a fresh approach to sports entertainment that captivates audiences across the nation. The countdown to February 2026 has officially begun!
