By Allison Peck
LINCOLN, Neb. — The Savannah Bananas are known for selling out ballparks across the country — and Nebraska fans are making sure the Cornhusker State isn’t left out of the fun.
In October 2025, the team announced its 2026 “Banana Ball World Tour” schedule, with Lincoln’s Memorial Stadium earning a spot among the 20 most in-demand venues out of 71 cities nationwide. According to team owner and Banana Ball founder Jesse Cole, more than 4 million fans have already joined the lottery list for tickets.
Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium ranked #12 overall, a standout position considering the lineup includes some of the most iconic venues in sports. The top 20 features 11 Major League Baseball stadiums and eight football stadiums, showing just how broad the Bananas’ appeal has become.
Top 20 Most Popular Stops for the 2026 Banana Ball Tour
- Chicago, Illinois – Wrigley Field – 172,169 ticket submissions
- Detroit, Michigan – Comerica Park – 171,551
- Minneapolis, Minnesota – Target Field – 127,356
- Knoxville, Tennessee – Neyland Stadium – 125,031
- Cincinnati, Ohio – Great American Ball Park – 124,844
- Denver, Colorado – Coors Field – 117,379
- Atlanta, Georgia – Truist Park – 116,904
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin – American Family Field – 114,707
- Foxborough, Massachusetts – Gillette Stadium – 107,492
- St. Louis, Missouri – Busch Stadium – 104,576
- College Station, Texas – Kyle Field – 102,559
- Lincoln, Nebraska – Memorial Stadium
- Eugene, Oregon – Autzen Stadium
- New Orleans, Louisiana – Caesars Superdome
- Arlington, Texas – Globe Life Field
- Iowa City, Iowa – Kinnick Stadium
- Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Kenan Stadium
- Anaheim, California – Angel Stadium
- Orlando, Florida – ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
- New York City, New York – Yankee Stadium
A Big Stage for the Big Red State
Landing at #12 puts Memorial Stadium in impressive company. Most of the venues ahead of Lincoln are home to professional baseball or football franchises, meaning Nebraska fans have shown the same level of enthusiasm as some of the largest markets in the country.
For a stadium that already holds the NCAA record for most consecutive football sellouts, Nebraskans’ passion for the Bananas proves that when it comes to live sports, the Cornhusker State shows up.
Cole, who’s become famous for blending baseball with entertainment, said the demand has been “unlike anything the sport has seen,” noting that the team has sold out every game since 2020. The 2026 tour expands to 71 cities, stretching coast to coast, with several new stadiums added due to overwhelming fan interest.
The Banana Ball Craze
If you haven’t seen a Bananas game yet, imagine baseball crossed with a circus act, improv comedy, and a pep rally — all at once. “Banana Ball” features no bunting, bat flips encouraged, and even dancing players. The rules are faster, the show louder, and the crowds bigger every year.
That mix of fun and competition seems to resonate with Nebraskans. When Memorial Stadium transforms from a football landmark into a baseball stage next year, it’ll join a small club of venues capable of drawing tens of thousands of fans for the one-of-a-kind event.