BREAKING: The Savannah Bananas have just announced a groundbreaking move that will change the face of baseball forever. Owner Jesse Cole revealed live on ESPN2 that the inaugural season of the Banana Ball Championship League will kick off in February 2026, expanding to 75 stadiums across 45 states and aiming to attract 3.2 million fans.
This ambitious initiative marks the biggest step yet for the Bananas, who have garnered attention for their unique brand of entertainment and innovative gameplay. Cole’s vision to create something special began in 2016 when the team struggled to sell tickets in its inaugural season. After departing traditional baseball and launching “Banana Ball” in 2022, the team has seen explosive growth.
After playing in front of over 2 million fans and selling out 17 Major League Baseball stadiums this year, the Bananas are set to play at prominent venues, including Texas A&M’s Kyle Field and Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium, both with capacities over 100,000. Cole stated, “When you have so much demand and excitement, we want to be able to go to the biggest stadiums but also to the smallest stadiums.”
The league will include two new teams: the Loco Beach Coconuts and the Indianapolis Clowns. The Coconuts, led by two-time World Series champion Shane Victorino, are themed around beach fun and will play in coastal locations. Victorino expressed his excitement, stating, “Coaching a team like that is about making people smile and bringing joy to the game.”
The Clowns, a historic franchise from the Negro Leagues, are being revived to celebrate their legacy. According to Cole, this has been “years in the making.” Ryan Howard, a 2008 World Series champion, will coach the Clowns. He emphasized the Clowns’ role in merging baseball and entertainment, saying, “Banana Ball is all about energy, entertainment, flipping the script.”
Preseason games begin in February 2026, leading into a 50-game regular season from late April to September, culminating in the Banana Bowl on October 10, 2026. This league aims to make every game not only competitive but also entertaining, with new rules like trick plays impacting scores.
With the anticipation building, ticket prices will remain unchanged despite the expected influx of fans. Cole anticipates at least 3 million to 4 million people to join the ticket lottery list within 48 hours. He affirmed, “We’re not raising prices. We’re committed to keeping it accessible.”
The Bananas are not just focused on domestic growth; international expansion is a consideration for the future. However, Cole stated, “We have a responsibility to the United States first. There are still places that have not seen Banana Ball.”
The announcement has sent shockwaves through the sports community, igniting excitement among fans and sparking interest in the unique blend of entertainment and competitive baseball. As the Bananas gear up for their most significant venture yet, all eyes will be on how they transform the baseball landscape in 2026.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops. The future of baseball has never looked so bright!
