Sloan Park to Host Inaugural Fastball Comedy Festival
The two-day event in Mesa will feature nationally known headliners alongside local comedians on the baseball field.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Comedy
Live Poll
Should local event organizers prioritize featuring performers who represent a diverse range of public views?
Sloan Park is set to debut the inaugural Fastball Comedy Festival on October 17 and 18, 2026. The new event will utilize the baseball diamond at the venue to host four hours of performances each night.
Why it matters
The festival represents an effort by the Chicago Cubs organization to create team-owned entertainment programming at Sloan Park. Organizers intend for the event to become a recurring staple of the stadium's yearly calendar.
The festival features a four-hour nightly lineup, with local comedians filling the first two hours of the program. Organizers evaluated a pool of 12 potential performers before finalizing the initial headlining bill.
The players
Bill Burr
He is a stand-up comedian and actor known for his work on the animated series F is for Family and his various Netflix specials.
Dave Chappelle
He is a stand-up comedian and producer widely recognized for his sketch series Chappelle's Show and numerous award-winning specials.
Jackie Tinsley
She is a local comedian who performs throughout the Arizona comedy scene.
Anwar Newton
He is a local comedian and performer active in the regional comedy circuit.
The details
The festival will position its main stage at second base on the field, providing a unique backdrop for performances by Bill Burr, Tom Segura, Dave Chappelle, Antonio Santino, and Rachel Feinstein. Local comedians Jackie Tinsley and Anwar Newton are also featured on the lineup for the Mesa-based event.
Timeline
October 17, 2026: The first day of the inaugural Fastball Comedy Festival.
October 18, 2026: The second day of the inaugural Fastball Comedy Festival.
Industry Dynamics
The event highlights a broader trend among professional sports teams to transform ballparks into year-round, multi-use entertainment hubs. By producing team-owned festivals, organizations aim to maximize venue utilization beyond the traditional baseball schedule.
Attendees can access two distinct stages, with the main stage set on the infield at Sloan Park. The program provides equal focus on marquee national acts and rising local talent during each four-hour session.
The takeaway
This event showcases how regional stadiums are increasingly competing with traditional theaters to draw large comedy audiences. Fans can expect a mix of stadium-level production values and intimate field-level seating.
Further reading
Learn more about the local scene at Mesa Comedy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Phoenix New Times.
Live Poll
Should local event organizers prioritize featuring performers who represent a diverse range of public views?
