The Savannah Bananas, the wildly popular barnstorming baseball troupe, announced that Phoenix will host two of their 2027 Banana Ball games at Chase Field on May 14 and May 15. The games will feature the Bananas against the Party Animals, giving Valley fans a chance to experience the troupe’s trademark antics – from pitchers on stilts to fans catching foul balls for outs.
2027 tour expands internationally
Owner Jessie Cole told the Associated Press that the 2027 schedule marks the first time Banana Ball will travel outside the United States. The tour will include stops in Monterrey, Mexico (Feb. 5‑6) and Tijuana, Mexico (Feb. 12‑13), as well as two dates at Toronto’s Rogers Centre (Aug. 14‑15) and two visits to Winnipeg (Aug. 26 and Aug. 28). In total, the Banana Ball Championship League will visit 79 stadiums across 74 cities, playing in 23 Major League Baseball venues and 10 football stadiums.
Cole said the international dates are “10 years in the making,” reflecting the growth of the brand since its 2016 launch at historic Grayson Stadium in Savannah, Georgia. The Bananas began as a grassroots effort to draw younger fans to baseball, and the concept has since become a national sensation.
Local excitement and economic boost
Phoenix officials and local business owners have welcomed the announcement, noting the potential for increased tourism and spending during the two‑day event. Hotels, restaurants and retailers in downtown Phoenix are expected to see a surge in visitors, especially families looking for a fun, family‑friendly outing.
Chase Field, best known as the home of MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks, will be transformed for the Banana Ball experience. The venue’s flexible layout allows for the troupe’s signature “close‑up” action, where fans can be just a few feet from the field and even catch foul balls for outs.
Other notable 2027 highlights
Beyond the Phoenix stop, the tour will feature a unique setup at Notre Dame Stadium on June 26, where two baseball fields will be placed on opposite corners of the football facility, with teams swapping fields each inning. This innovation aims to give every fan an unobstructed view of the action.
In addition, Disney is producing a documentary film chronicling the Bananas’ rise. The film will debut at Atlanta’s Truist Park on June 12, offering fans a behind‑the‑scenes look at the troupe’s evolution.
Impact on youth and community
The Bananas’ emphasis on fun, family‑centered entertainment aligns with community values that prioritize wholesome recreation. Their 2023 Baseball Hall of Fame exhibit in Cooperstown highlighted how the troupe has attracted younger audiences to the sport, a goal that resonates with local schools and youth programs seeking to promote active, family‑oriented pastimes.
With an estimated 4.3 million fans expected to attend the 2027 tour, the Savannah Bananas continue to demonstrate how innovative, faith‑friendly entertainment can bring communities together while supporting local economies.
Tickets and next steps
Tickets for the Phoenix games will go on sale later this month via the Bananas’ official website and major ticket platforms. Fans are encouraged to purchase early, as previous Banana Ball events have sold out quickly.
Original reporting: azfamily KTVK/KPHO Phoenix (news) — read the source article.
