University of Tennessee Athletics
Banana Ball is Coming to Neyland Stadium
October 10, 2025 | General
First baseball game will take place inside Neyland Stadium on May 23
Visit Knoxville announces that Banana Ball will be coming to Knoxville in 2026 on Memorial Day weekend. Following Thursday night's livestreamed announcement on ESPN2, ESPN+, Disney+, and the Banana Ball YouTube, the Lottery List for tickets is now open and will stay open until October 31, 2025. Premium seats will go on sale in November.
Banana Ball, or the Banana Ball Championship League (BBCL) from 2026 onward, is a barnstorming exhibition baseball league based in Savannah, Georgia. The league has played most of their games at Grayson Stadium since its inaugural season. The league has four teams: the Savannah Bananas, the Party Animals, the Firefighters, and the Texas Tailgaters.
Banana Ball has become the fastest and most entertaining game in sports. With its fast-paced rules and emphasis on continuous play, Banana Ball strips away the often-criticized lulls and lengthy pauses typical of traditional baseball, delivering a high-octane and entertainment-packed game that keeps both players and fans on their toes. Banana Ball has 11 unique rules. The most notorious rule is that if a fan catches a foul ball, it counts as an out.
In Knoxville, the Savannah Bananas will be facing off against the Texas Tailgaters for two games in Knoxville. The first game will take place on Thursday, May 21, at Covenant Health Park. This award-winning facility (BaseballParks.com 2025 Ballpark of the Year) will be the perfect host for Banana Ball. The second game will take place on Saturday, May 23, at Neyland Stadium. The University of Tennessee and Visit Knoxville have partnered together on multiple occasions to bring major events to Neyland, including Garth Brooks' Stadium Tour in 2019 and Morgan Wallen's hometown concerts in 2024. This will be the first time Banana Ball comes to Knoxville.
"We worked hand in hand with the University of Tennessee Athletics, Covenant Health Park, and of course, the Savannah Bananas, to bring this event to Knoxville," said Kim Bumpas, President of Visit Knoxville. "This partnership speaks to the collaborative and fun-loving spirit of our destination, and we can't wait to share the stands with lucky Lottery List winners from near and far."
It marks the first baseball game to be hosted inside Neyland Stadium since the stadium opened in 1921.
"With an iconic venue like Neyland Stadium, we are determined to explore every opportunity to host signature events on Rocky Top, well beyond just football game days," said Tennessee Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Danny White. "Banana Ball has achieved remarkable success nationwide, and we are thrilled to announce that the Savannah Bananas will be making their way to Neyland Stadium."
"We are so excited to host the Savannah Bananas in Knoxville," said City of Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon. "What a win for our city! People travel from all over to see Banana Ball, and now it will be right in our backyard. I can't wait to see all the smiles in the stands when the Savannah Bananas take the field."
"This is an exciting time for baseball in Knoxville," said Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs. "With the University of Tennessee's baseball team winning their College World Series, a successful inaugural season at Covenant Health Park for the Knoxville Smokies, and now Banana Ball coming to town—we are doing America's favorite pastime right."
Banana Ball, or the Banana Ball Championship League (BBCL) from 2026 onward, is a barnstorming exhibition baseball league based in Savannah, Georgia. The league has played most of their games at Grayson Stadium since its inaugural season. The league has four teams: the Savannah Bananas, the Party Animals, the Firefighters, and the Texas Tailgaters.
Banana Ball has become the fastest and most entertaining game in sports. With its fast-paced rules and emphasis on continuous play, Banana Ball strips away the often-criticized lulls and lengthy pauses typical of traditional baseball, delivering a high-octane and entertainment-packed game that keeps both players and fans on their toes. Banana Ball has 11 unique rules. The most notorious rule is that if a fan catches a foul ball, it counts as an out.
In Knoxville, the Savannah Bananas will be facing off against the Texas Tailgaters for two games in Knoxville. The first game will take place on Thursday, May 21, at Covenant Health Park. This award-winning facility (BaseballParks.com 2025 Ballpark of the Year) will be the perfect host for Banana Ball. The second game will take place on Saturday, May 23, at Neyland Stadium. The University of Tennessee and Visit Knoxville have partnered together on multiple occasions to bring major events to Neyland, including Garth Brooks' Stadium Tour in 2019 and Morgan Wallen's hometown concerts in 2024. This will be the first time Banana Ball comes to Knoxville.
"We worked hand in hand with the University of Tennessee Athletics, Covenant Health Park, and of course, the Savannah Bananas, to bring this event to Knoxville," said Kim Bumpas, President of Visit Knoxville. "This partnership speaks to the collaborative and fun-loving spirit of our destination, and we can't wait to share the stands with lucky Lottery List winners from near and far."
It marks the first baseball game to be hosted inside Neyland Stadium since the stadium opened in 1921.
"With an iconic venue like Neyland Stadium, we are determined to explore every opportunity to host signature events on Rocky Top, well beyond just football game days," said Tennessee Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Danny White. "Banana Ball has achieved remarkable success nationwide, and we are thrilled to announce that the Savannah Bananas will be making their way to Neyland Stadium."
"We are so excited to host the Savannah Bananas in Knoxville," said City of Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon. "What a win for our city! People travel from all over to see Banana Ball, and now it will be right in our backyard. I can't wait to see all the smiles in the stands when the Savannah Bananas take the field."
"This is an exciting time for baseball in Knoxville," said Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs. "With the University of Tennessee's baseball team winning their College World Series, a successful inaugural season at Covenant Health Park for the Knoxville Smokies, and now Banana Ball coming to town—we are doing America's favorite pastime right."
TICKET FAQ:
How can I get tickets?
Join the Ticket Lottery List before it closes on November 1, 2025. Joining the list doesn't guarantee the opportunity to buy tickets. A random drawing will take place before the event for the chance to purchase available tickets. If you're drawn, you'll have an opportunity to continue through the verification process.
You can find the Ticket Lottery List at bananaball.com.
Fans interested in premium seating options at Neyland, submit your information here.
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