The Banks Goes Bananas
On June 13 and 14, Cincinnati’s riverfront is going full tilt banana.
The Savannah Bananas, America’s most unconventional baseball team, are bringing their viral, crowd-pleasing Banana Ball tour to Great American Ball Park—and The Banks is throwing the city’s biggest summer block party to celebrate.
You don’t need a game ticket to join the fun. You just need a sense of humor, some dancing shoes, and a big appetite for chaos, community, and a little bit of showbiz.
What Is Banana Ball—And Why Is It Taking Over America?
Let’s get one thing clear: the Savannah Bananas don’t play baseball the way your grandpa remembers it.
Founded in 2016 in Savannah, Georgia, the Bananas rose from a quirky collegiate summer league team into an international sports and entertainment sensation. Their fast-paced, no-dead-time version of baseball—dubbed Banana Ball—tosses out the traditional rulebook in favor of something wildly unexpected and endlessly fun.
Here are just a few of the game-changing rules that make Banana Ball so addictive:
Batters can steal first base at any time
Walks become sprints—every defensive player must touch the ball before the play is over
If a fan catches a foul ball, it’s an out
Games are capped at two hours, no exceptions
Add to that choreographed dances, mid-inning hijinks, a banana-costumed mascot, and an umpire who might break into a moonwalk, and you’ve got something closer to a circus with a scorecard than a typical nine-inning slog.
This isn't just baseball. This is baseball reimagined for the TikTok era—and it works. The Bananas have amassed millions of social followers, launched a docuseries on ESPN+, and sell out every stop of their touring show months in advance. Kids adore them, grandparents laugh along, and even the most traditional fans walk away with a grin and a question: What just happened?
Why Cincinnati Matters
Bringing the Bananas to Cincinnati is more than a novelty. It’s a perfect collision of baseball history and baseball future.
This is a city that takes its baseball seriously. Home to the Cincinnati Reds, the first professional baseball franchise, and the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum, the Queen City’s connection to America’s pastime runs deep. But even the most storied traditions need a spark now and then.
By hosting the Bananas at Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati is planting its flag as a city that honors the past and welcomes the future.
Tickets to the games on June 13 and 14 sold out almost instantly. That’s not just hype—it’s proof of how ready this city is for something playful, inclusive, and totally off-the-wall.
The Banks Goes Full Banana
Game day doesn’t start at the gates—it kicks off at The Banks, Cincinnati’s dining and entertainment district nestled between Paycor Stadium and Great American Ball Park.
For both game nights, The Banks is hosting the Banana Bash Pre-Game Party—a family-friendly street festival designed to match the team’s high-energy vibes.
Banana Bash Details
When: June 13 & 14, 12 noon–7pm
Where: Freedom Way at The Banks
What’s happening:
Food trucks with local favorites and banana-themed bites
Live music and DJ sets to keep energy sky-high
Pop-up games and giveaways
Over 18 bars and restaurants ready to fuel the party
Even if you didn’t score a game ticket, you won’t miss the action. The game will be livestreamed on the big screen just outside the Reds Hall of Fame from 7–9pm both nights.
And if you're looking to sport the yellow and show your Bananas pride, don't miss the arrival of the official Bananas merchandise truck on Thursday, June 12 at 2pm—also at The Banks.
Not Just a Game—A Cultural Moment
The Bananas' visit isn't just a game—it's a cultural moment for Cincinnati. It’s a chance for local businesses to shine, for tourism to spike, and for families to make core memories wrapped in laughter and sunshine. Events like this help position Cincinnati as more than a sports city—it’s an experience city.
If you're visiting from out of town, consider exploring nearby attractions while you're downtown:
Walk the Roebling Bridge and take in the city skyline
Grab a drink at Moerlein Lager House or a bite from Jeff Ruby’s
Check out Smale Riverfront Park, just steps from The Banks
Make a weekend of it and explore Over-the-Rhine, one of America’s most revitalized historic districts
Want more ways to enjoy Cincinnati this summer? Check out our guide to summer festivals and best patios on the riverfront.
If the Bananas are proof that baseball can be fresh, fun, and full of surprises, Cincinnati is proof that tradition and innovation can thrive side by side. On June 13 and 14, you don’t have to choose between the two—you just have to go bananas.
Whether you're in the ballpark or outside with the crowd, this is one of those moments where Cincinnati becomes the main character.
And if you’re not planning to attend? You might want to rethink that. Because when the Bananas come to town, FOMO is very real.