The Savannah Bananas, a popular sports and entertainment group, will bring their unique brand of baseball to Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Saturday, June 13, 2026. The event is a key stop on the team's newly announced 2026 Banana Ball World Tour and marks a significant non-football event for the iconic venue.
Nebraska Athletics confirmed the game, which will feature the Savannah Bananas playing against their rivals, the Firefighters. This will be one of two performances in Lincoln, with a preceding game scheduled for Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Haymarket Park.
Key Takeaways
- Event Date: The Savannah Bananas will play at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 7 p.m.
- Location: The game will take place at Memorial Stadium, with an additional game at Haymarket Park on June 11, 2026.
- Ticket Process: Fans must join a Ticket Lottery List at bananaball.com by October 31, 2025, for a chance to purchase tickets.
- What is Banana Ball: A fast-paced, entertainment-focused version of baseball with unique rules designed for fan engagement.
Event Details and Schedule
The Savannah Bananas have included Lincoln as a prominent destination on their extensive 2026 world tour, which features over 70 stops. The main event in Lincoln is scheduled for Saturday, June 13, with the first pitch at Memorial Stadium set for 7 p.m. The team will compete against the Firefighters in this highly anticipated matchup.
In addition to the stadium game, the tour will also stop at Haymarket Park two days earlier, on Thursday, June 11. This provides fans in the region with two opportunities to experience the unique sports spectacle. The dual-venue approach in Lincoln highlights the organization's commitment to reaching a broad audience in Nebraska.
A New Chapter for Memorial Stadium
Hosting the Savannah Bananas continues Memorial Stadium's recent tradition of holding major non-football events. The venue has a proven track record of drawing massive crowds for entertainment and other sports.
In August 2021, a concert by Garth Brooks attracted nearly 90,000 attendees. More recently, in August 2023, the stadium set a U.S. record for attendance at a women's sporting event when 92,003 fans watched Volleyball Day in Nebraska.
Nebraska Director of Athletics, Troy Dannen, commented on the announcement, highlighting the public demand for such an event.
"This is an exciting day for Nebraska Athletics and the City of Lincoln. Since we have begun pursuit of large stadium-type shows for Memorial Stadium, the Savannah Bananas have been consistently mentioned as an event Nebraskans were excited to see in person. This will be a great event for families to enjoy as summer 2026 kicks off in Lincoln."
Understanding the Banana Ball Phenomenon
For those unfamiliar with the team, Banana Ball is a modified version of baseball designed to be faster and more entertaining. The game is played with a set of 11 unique rules that prioritize continuous action and fan interaction. The fast-paced nature of the game ensures that there are no lulls, keeping spectators engaged throughout the event.
The roster for the Savannah Bananas primarily consists of former college and minor league baseball players who possess both athletic skill and a talent for entertainment. Their on-field antics, choreographed dances, and direct engagement with the crowd are hallmarks of the experience.
The Most Famous Rule
One of the most distinctive rules in Banana Ball is that if a fan in the stands catches a foul ball on the fly, it counts as an out for the batting team. This rule turns every spectator into a potential player and adds a unique layer of excitement to every pitch.
The team's popularity has grown significantly in recent years. During their 2025 tour, the Bananas played in front of sold-out crowds in more than 50 cities. A game at Clemson University's Memorial Stadium drew an audience of 81,000, which stands as the largest crowd in Banana Ball history.
How to Secure Tickets
Tickets for both the Memorial Stadium and Haymarket Park games will be managed directly by the Savannah Bananas organization, not through the university or local box offices. The process is designed to provide fair access to the high-demand tickets.
The Official Ticket Lottery
The first and only step for the general public is to sign up for the official Ticket Lottery List. Here are the key details:
- Deadline: Fans must register for the lottery by October 31, 2025.
- Website: The sign-up form is available at bananaball.com.
- Process: Joining the list does not guarantee tickets. A random drawing will be held closer to the event date.
- Notification: If selected in the drawing, individuals will receive an opportunity to purchase a limited number of tickets through a verification process.
- Fairness: The time of registration does not affect a person's chances, as the drawing is completely random.
Pricing and Purchase Warnings
The Savannah Bananas have provided clear guidance on ticket prices and purchasing to protect fans from fraud.
According to the organization, standard tickets for games in large stadiums typically start at $40. Special Meet and Greet tickets are also available, usually starting at $125. All official sales will happen through their FansFirstTickets.com platform after the lottery drawing.
The organization has issued a strong warning about purchasing tickets from third-party websites like StubHub, VividSeats, or Ticketmaster. They state that tickets found on these platforms are often fraudulent or are being resold at inflated prices, and the team cannot control or validate them. They also advise extreme caution when dealing with individuals selling tickets on social media, as these are frequently scams.
