Savannah Bananas Shatter Attendance Record at Clemson’s Death Valley
On **April 26, 2025**, the Savannah Bananas—an exhibition baseball team famous for their high‑energy “Banana Ball” format—made history at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium, also known as “Death Valley.” Transformed into a baseball field, the stadium hosted 81,000 fans, marking the **largest crowd in Savannah Bananas history** and the **first Banana Ball game ever in a college football stadiu.
Tickets sold out in mere hours—or even minutes—depending on the report, underscoring the event’s buzz and the team’s soaring popularity ([Clemson Tigers Official Athletics Site][1], [Sports Business Journal][7], [All Clemson Tigers][5]). For context, this attendance figure significantly eclipsed the previous Bananas’ record of around 45,000 in Philadelphia
The spectacle was grand: pregame fan festivals, Dabo Swinney—Clemson’s head football coach—leading the Bananas in the iconic “run down the hill,” performances by Clemson legend C.J. Spiller, choreographed routines, dancing umpires, and a dazzling fireworks finale
Clemson Athletic Director Graham Neff hailed the event as a “big step” toward leveraging Death Valley for revenue-generating events beyond football. Clemson is estimated to have grossed between **\$400,000 and \$600,000** from parking, concessions, merchandise (including alcohol sales), and premium offerings—a promising model for future off-season monetization
This event showcased how Banana Ball’s blend of sport and showmanship can draw massive crowds and redefine what a baseball experience can look like—turning Death Valley into the biggest stage yet for the Bananas’ brand of entertainment.
