Savannah Bananas Face New Competition in Cosmic Baseball

The Bananas rise isn’t slowing down anytime soon. In 2026, Banana Ball will expand to six teams playing a 60-game schedule, with the new team names expected to be announced next month.

More than 150 cities have already expressed interest in hosting games, underscoring just how far the phenomenon has spread.

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Their popularity is staggering on social media. The Los Angeles Dodgers top Major League Baseball with 2.4 million TikTok followers, and the San Diego Padres sit third with 1.1 million. The Savannah Bananas? They boast a jaw-dropping 10.7 million followers—nearly as many as all 30 MLB teams combined.

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Demand for tickets has grown so intense that a lottery system is now in place, with fans often joining the list nearly a year in advance. Those lucky enough to be selected can secure seats starting at $35, creating one of the hottest tickets in all of sports entertainment.

Cosmic Baseball Takes the Game Into the Neon Night

Cosmic Baseball, meanwhile, turns traditional baseball on its head in a completely different way—by taking it into the dark.

Founded by Chris Martin, the league features former minor league and professional players competing as the Cosmic Chili Peppers and Glow Mojis.

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The first half of the game appears mostly conventional, though quirks like pitchers wearing helmets and occasional backward base running hint at the spectacle to come.

After a brief intermission, the stadium undergoes a “cosmic transformation” under hundreds of black lights, illuminating neon bats, balls, bases, and uniforms.

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Martin’s vision took months of trial and error to bring to life. Early attempts with lighting companies failed, but after six months of research and development, the league discovered the right combination of UV lights to make the night games truly glow.

Now in its second season, Cosmic Baseball has exploded on social media, generating a 300,000–400,000 person waitlist for tickets.

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The league has expanded beyond its home at Shepherd Stadium in Virginia, playing games in cities like Nashville, Sugar Land, and Durham, with Major League Baseball supporting its exhibition model.

Fun, Chaos, and Memorable Moments

Though the Savannah Bananas and Cosmic Baseball share a commitment to fun and fan experience, their approaches differ.

Banana Ball thrives on quirky rules, audience participation, and lightning-fast games. Cosmic Baseball focuses on spectacle, immersing fans in a glowing, neon-lit version of America’s pastime.

Both create memorable experiences that can’t be found in Major League Baseball, whether it’s a dancing umpire, a foul ball caught in the crowd, or a glowing baseball streaking under black lights.

At the end of the day, these leagues aren’t trying to replace traditional baseball—they’re rewriting what baseball can look like. Between viral dances, neon nights, and chaotic rules, they’re proving that America’s pastime is never too old to evolve.