Savannah Bananas light up Neyland Stadium for sold-out crowd

The Savannah Bananas hosted a sold-out Banana Ball game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville on May 23, 2026, drawing an estimated 101,000 fans—the largest crowd ever for the team in the stadium. The event, featuring a temporary baseball diamond inside the iconic football venue, included a 7-8 loss to the Texas Tailgaters, though the final score took a backseat to the entertainment. A Dolly Parton-themed race and fireworks highlighted the night, with fans dressed in yellow Bananas gear rather than the usual Tennessee Vols orange. The game also introduced a playful twist to the rules of Banana Ball, the team’s signature style of baseball. Former Tennessee football star Alvin Kamara made an unexpected appearance as a pinch runner in the fifth inning, dancing with the first-base coach before briefly touching first base. Dan Oberst, a power hitter from Tampa, Florida, later hit a home run that scored Kamara, adding to the night’s excitement. The attendance figure of 101,000, while unofficial, surpassed the stadium’s capacity for football games and nearly matched the Bananas’ previous record of 102,000 at Texas A&M’s Kyle Field. Neyland Stadium now stands among the largest venues to host a Bananas game. Kamara’s involvement in the event ties back to his April donation, which secured naming rights for a portion of Neyland Stadium. The game’s unique atmosphere and record-breaking crowd solidified the Bananas’ growing popularity in college sports culture.