CLEMSON, S.C. — A new chapter in sports entertainment is about to unfold in the heart of Clemson, where football’s roar is about to make room for an entirely different kind of spectacle. On April 26, 2025, Memorial Stadium, famously known as Death Valley, will host its first-ever Banana Ball game, as the Savannah Bananas bring their viral brand of baseball to the college football cathedral.

The Bananas, known for their high-energy, rule-defying style of play, are set to face their rivals, the Party Animals, in a game that promises to be anything but ordinary. The event will mark the first time Banana Ball — a fast-paced version of baseball — has been played in a college football stadium. It’s expected to surpass the record-breaking game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on March 15, 2025, when the Bananas played in an NFL venue for the first time.

Founded in 2015, the Savannah Bananas initially played traditional baseball but switched to the high-octane Banana Ball in 2022. This version of the game includes a two-hour time limit, no stepping out of the batter’s box, and the possibility of an out being recorded when a fan catches a foul ball—part baseball, part Broadway show. Their fan-first approach has made them one of the most successful teams in recent years, performing to sold-out crowds in venues like Fenway Park and Citizens Bank Park. Now, they turn their attention to Clemson’s iconic stadium.

The Savannah Bananas compete against the Party Animals in a banana ball game in front of a sold-out crowd at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Fla.

© Jonah Hinebaugh/The News-Press/USA Today Network-Florida / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Memorial Stadium, with its storied history and legendary atmosphere, will soon be transformed for a game unlike anything Clemson fans have ever experienced. While the stadium is renowned for its role in college football, come April 26, it will also host a game where backflips, dancing umpires, and players on stilts are par for the course.

As the Bananas prepare to bring their show to town, a sneak peek at Memorial Stadium reveals a buzzing atmosphere, setting the stage for one of the biggest events of the year. With an expected crowd of over 45,000, the Bananas are primed to break their own attendance record, creating an electrifying environment that will blend Clemson’s football energy with the Bananas’ wild flair.

Clemson fans got a taste of what to expect back in November when the Bananas’ All-Stars took on Clemson’s baseball team in an exhibition game at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The Bananas won 4-1, but the real story was in the energy and fun the game brought, with players joining in on choreographed dances and trick plays. Clemson head coach Erik Bakich praised the Bananas’ entertainment value, calling them a “creative genius” and expressing excitement for what’s to come.

With Death Valley now in the mix, the game on April 26 promises to take that entertainment to the next level. Jesse Cole, the Bananas owner, is thrilled to bring the event to such a passionate sports town. “Clemson checks all the boxes for us,” said Cole. “We’re going to put on a show that Tiger fans will never forget.”

The Bananas’ move to Memorial Stadium could signal a broader shift for the future of Banana Ball, with the possibility of more games in major stadiums across the country. If they can captivate a football-crazed town like Clemson, it could open doors for their brand of baseball to reach even larger audiences.

When the Bananas arrive in Clemson’s Memorial Stadium, they’re not just playing baseball—they’re creating history. For Clemson fans, it’s a chance to witness an unforgettable spectacle, where the line between sport and entertainment blurs in the most exciting way possible.