Savannah Bananas to Play at Notre Dame in 2027

The exhibition baseball team will hold games at Notre Dame Stadium and Frank Eck Stadium in June 2027.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Baseball

Expressive sports illustration of a baseball player mid-swing under bright stadium floodlights, capturing the high-energy atmosphere of the upcoming exhibition tour. — The Savannah Bananas will bring their exhibition baseball tour to South Bend, featuring games at Frank Eck Stadium and Notre Dame Stadium in June 2027. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Savannah Bananas will bring their unique brand of baseball to South Bend for two events in June 2027. The tour includes a stop at Frank Eck Stadium on June 24 and a historic game at Notre Dame Stadium on June 26.

Why it matters

The event marks the first time Notre Dame Stadium will host a baseball game, utilizing a dual-diamond setup to accommodate the unique Banana Ball format. Organizers anticipate a full house of 80,000 spectators for the match at the iconic college football venue.

The Savannah Bananas organization, founded in 2016, will construct two separate baseball diamonds in opposite corners of Notre Dame Stadium. Teams will rotate between these two fields during the game to maintain the pace of play.

The players

Savannah Bananas

An exhibition baseball team known for their viral, entertainment-focused Banana Ball rules.

Jesse and Emily Cole

The founders of the Savannah Bananas who sold their personal home to finance the organization.

Notre Dame

The university that will host the baseball games at its on-campus stadium facilities.

The details

Banana Ball features unconventional rules including the prohibition of bunting, turning walks into sprints, and awarding an out to any spectator who catches a foul ball. Founded by Jesse and Emily Cole after selling their home to fund the startup, the team focuses on entertainment-heavy exhibitions.

The Savannah Bananas organization was founded in 2016.
A Banana Ball game is scheduled for June 24, 2027, at Frank Eck Stadium.
The Notre Dame Stadium baseball game will take place on June 26, 2027.

Season Trajectory

The event mirrors the historical use of football stadiums for non-football sporting events by testing if such massive venues can successfully support alternative sports layouts. The game follows a pattern set by other major stadium takeovers, marking a departure from traditional baseball venues.

Fans should prepare for a unique logistical setup where teams rotate between two separate infields located in opposite corners of the stadium. This exhibition format significantly changes the standard baseball viewing experience for those attending the 80,000-seat venue.

The takeaway

This event highlights the growing trend of barnstorming exhibition teams leveraging major college infrastructure to reach massive audiences. Fans interested in attending should note the specific venue requirements, as the game will be split between two different campus stadiums.