News Summary
Jacksonville will host the Banana Ball Championship League starting in 2026. Six teams including the Savannah Bananas and Loco Beach Coconuts will offer exciting matchups. Fans can expect thrilling games and unique rules designed to maximize enjoyment. A lottery system will be in place for ticket sales, ensuring a fun summer of baseball for all attendees.
Jacksonville will be the newest home for the exciting Banana Ball Championship League starting in 2026, as the popular Savannah Bananas take their high-energy brand of baseball to new heights. The league will feature a total of six teams including the Savannah Bananas, the Loco Beach Coconuts, and the Indianapolis Clowns, offering fans a unique and thrilling sporting experience.
Beginning in the summer of 2026, the Banana Ball Championship League will host 75 games across 45 states, with Jacksonville specifically hosting three games from July 2-4. During these games, fans can look forward to matchups such as the Indianapolis Clowns battling the Loco Beach Coconuts. The Indianapolis Clowns pay tribute to a historically significant team from the Negro Leagues, while the beach-themed Loco Beach Coconuts will be based at Disney World in Orlando.
The announcement was made by the league’s founder, Jesse Cole, on October 9, 2023. This launch is part of a larger tour that spans various notable locations, including Major League Baseball and football stadiums across the United States. The league will kick off with preseason games in Tallahassee at Doak Campbell and Dick Howser Stadiums, where the Savannah Bananas will face off against the Texas Tailgaters on February 28, 2026.
The structure of the league will consist of a 50-game regular season, culminating in the Banana Bowl championship on October 10, 2026. This ambitious season aims to attract over 3 million fans, showcasing the growing popularity and community engagement surrounding the Banana Ball concept, which first started as an exhibition in Savannah, Georgia, in 2018.
Fans interested in attending the games will need to enter a ticket lottery online, which will be open until October 31. Each fan may enter for only one game, and only those selected will have the opportunity to purchase tickets. It is important for attendees to note that tickets may also be available through secondhand sites like StubHub or Ticketmaster, but purchasing from official sources ensures ticket legitimacy.
As for the gameplay, Banana Ball has unique rules designed to maximize excitement and reduce downtime. Notably, bunting is not allowed and each game is limited to a two-hour timeframe. The combination of fast-paced baseball and an electric atmosphere—including appearances from talented players and possible celebrity guests—aims to deliver an unforgettable experience for all spectators.
In summary, the launch of the Banana Ball Championship League in Jacksonville sets the stage for a unique summer of sports entertainment in 2026. With an engaging lineup of teams and the potential for high-attendance events across the country, baseball lovers and new fans alike are encouraged to mark their calendars and enter the ticket lottery to secure their chance at joining this exhilarating new chapter in the realm of professional sports.
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Additional Resources
- Jacksonville.com: Deadline to Enter Banana Ball Lottery
- ESPN: 2026 Savannah Bananas Schedule
- Baseball America: Savannah Bananas 2026 Schedule
- Action News Jax: Banana Ball World Tour Coming to Jacksonville
- Wikipedia: Baseball
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Baseball
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
